Sweat Soldering Equipment

[Mr_David]

position the tip of the BLUE flame at the back of the fitting, shoulder, where i show the big arrow, move the torch around the fitting,

You don't need a really super hot flame to do this. I see to many guys hold the flame on the bottom and wait for the other side to get hot enough to melt the solder. Larger fittings require a little more technique.

I like to give an example of cooking up some eggs. medium flame, Not high flame. or you burn them.

 

[Mr_David]

Propane in one hand, solder in the other hand. Will need a videographer or a GoPro camera.
Everybody can weigh in on this one.....do you hold the propane or the solder in your dominant hand?

Depends on how far up into hole I have to reach and solder. But usually torch in left, solder in right hand . I'm right handed

 

[frodo]

tripod, . solder in dominant,

 

[frodo]

Mr David perfect example of burned up fittings,

 

[JIMMIEM]

http://www.homedepot.com/b/Plumbing-Torches-Soldering-Irons/N-5yc1vZbqmd
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Lincoln-Electric-1-8-in-x-1-lb-Lead-Free-Plumbing-Solder-NICK61POP/100672843?N=5yc1vZbqjl
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Oatey-8-oz-No-5-Lead-Free-Paste-Flux-300142/100203505
http://www.homedepot.com/s/flux+brush?NCNI-5
http://www.homedepot.com/s/copper%20ppe%20sand%20cloth?NCNI-5
http://www.homedepot.com/s/copper%2520pipe%2520cutters?NCNI-5
http://www.homedepot.com/s/copper%2520pipe?NCNI-5

pair of gloves, damp rag, PPE
gather all that up and holler back


opps..forgot..http://www.homedepot.com/p/Lincoln-Electric-Single-Flint-Striker-with-Flints-KH790/202192185

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Oatey-4-...2/202078158?keyword=copper+fitting+wire+brush

Which torch do you recommend? Propane or?

 

[frodo]

.................i think the goss is a better deal, you get 3 tips

where you live? i have an extra tank,

 

[JIMMIEM]

I live in Massachusetts. I just want to be able to sweat solder residential ( 1/2" and 3/4") copper water pipe.

 

[frodo]

I use tip #5 for 1/2--1''

texas journeymen test,,,you must sil floss a 1 1/4 coupling

on the practical, need to practice that

 

[Mr_David]

lol... my first attempt had 'dingleberries' all over

when the joint is hot enough the solder will suck right into the joint.
But if you get it to hot, you can easily burn the flux and ruin the joint.

Don't hold the torch in one spot to heat the joint. h
Here some examples of what happens.
They held for awhile but eventually failed.

My 1st joint looked like a flock of Seagulls all did their binnis right there on my joint. There was a little water involved an we kept adding solder.

High school buddy and I broke a hose bib in front of a 7/11 messing around.
We procured a propane torch and after about 10 or more tries manage to get it to stop leaking.