How to solder copper pipe

[3Mudbone1]

Could you do a video on a stainless fitting and brass fitting to copper tubing?

[Account0997]

What is the composition of this specific alloy? I assume from the video it reflects a red light, and I'm interested in some alloy experimentation from this.

[plumberx]

@Account0997 I'm not sure I it's been a wild seense shooting this video. I think I may have been using 5% Lead and 95% tin we just call it 95/5 or it could be just lead free solder.

[Account0997]

@plumberx Thank you. I believe that will help.

[RobertGary1]

While I enjoy sweating pipe I suspect we're the last generation. Compression fittings seem to be the norm in commercial apps and homes have gone to PEX as copper prices have skyrocketed. Most plumbers I know use SharkBites for repairs since the extra cost is offset by the labor savings.

[plumberx]

@RobertGary1 Yep your right plumbing is changing, but not really fast as you may thing, it really depend on what part of country you live in or out of the country

there are still many places that use copper pipe very much .

[plumberx]

@RobertGary1 Oh! Yea Pex pipe and those shark bite fittings are not code ever were. Me personally I like Pex Pipe and Shark bite fitting.

[RobertGary1]

@plumberx But not for long. SharkBites and Pex are in the UPC so any remaining cities will likely approve the latest UPC soon. Apparently they've been used in Australia for 20 years.

[SuperGootman]

Cool stuff :D

[plumberx]

@SuperGootman Thank you for the nice comment

[SuperGootman]

@plumberx You are welcome :D

[mvwoon]

fuel, flux, and solder? What kinds?

[luv6pup90660]

Excellent Video! Thumbs Up!

[plumberx]

@luv6pup90660 Thank you very much for the nice comment

[chincolo2009]

Q COCHINO ERES Y MALO PARA SOLDAR AJAJAJAJ

[evolveMR]

Good stuff

[raz0racanine]

what happened if u accidentally touch it?? 4rd degree burn??

[TsujiBan]

Thank you for taking the time to make this video! Much appreciated, and very helpful.  :-)

[plumberx]

@TsujiBan Your welcome and thank for stopping by and checking it out have a great day

[boonthip100]

Greeting you from Thailand .

your video that good as my lesson ...

I like it .

I hope this lesson help me to use in my daily working .

Thank you

[plumberx]

@boonthip100 ขอบคุณมากเพื่อนจากเมืองไทย และเกียรติ GER ดังกล่าวแสดงความคิดเห็นดีจากเพ­ื่อนไกลแสนไกลของมัน ฉันต่ำต้อย ผมหวังว่าภาพเหล่านี้ช่วยให้คุณ­เป็นอย่างมากกับการทำงานของคุณ

[Nutintoitbut2doit]

Nice soldering there, very clean.

[plumberx]

@Nutintoitbut2doit Thank you very much. I check out your Channel. Very impressive work.

[Nutintoitbut2doit]

@plumberx Thank You, same to you great work a true master of your trade. You make it look easy.

[Dai4wood]

I LOVE watching your plumbing videos on YT, But the problem I have is that every time I watch a video my giggling pin starts dripping.

But On a serious Note The Average yearly pay for a "Employed Plumber" in the UK is about £27,000 plus Van. What is it in the US...

[plumberx]

@Dai4wood Here in the US. it kind of depend on what part of the Country you live East Coast West Coast and north around 100 or more K a year. Midwest 80 K a year or more. down south 60 K a year or more. Up East Coast and north have strong Union, Out west the cost of living it just high. Down South are mostly right to work states All this factors in the wages. :-)

[DIYallday]

Very nice, I have similar videos on my page showing how to solder and heat shrink electrical wires.

[plumberx]

@DIYallday Thank you for the comment. I like your Youtube videos aswell. Cool

[4some2joe0]

good look n

[BAD2DABON3]

Good video. What kind of solder are you using? Do you know of anything that prevents or slows heat transfer along the pipe to protect heat sensitive plastic gaskets or o'rings? I've used propane for the ease of use but it never seems to get the pipe hot enough for the solder to melt, do you know of any other gas that I can use to solder with the same ease of use as propane? One last question, is there anything that we can use to protect the immediate area around the joint from the flame?

[plumberx]

@BAD2DABON3 The type of solder I use is lead free solder or you can use 95/5. If I’m going to solder something that has plastic inserts or washer I would remove the washers or insert then solder and put it back together if that's not possible I just Aim the flames the opposite way on low heat and pray :-) Propane burns pretty hot I don't use Propane. To protect immediate area around you keep a water bottle handy or a fire extinguisher. Thanks for the comment

[rudedog062]

@BAD2DABON3 I just finished working on a hospital and we used stuff called Cool Gel to protect valves. Propane works ok if you have the right torch. Mapp gas is ok for small pipes but for pipes 2inch and up we use acetaline gas and a Turbo Torch with the right size tip for the job. Also we used fire blankets to protect the area around the joint from burning or sometimes I'll make a heat shield out of sheet metal.

[plumberx]

@rudedog062 Cool Gel I've heard of that. That didn't have that stuff out when I was doing commercial work back in the 80's I hear its really good. Thanks for the info it will help others that may have commercial jobs there working on. or even some Homes with the Cool Gel.

[BAD2DABON3]

Good video. What kind of solder are you using? Do you know of anything that prevents or slows heat transfer along the pipe to protect heat sensitive plastic gaskets or o'rings? I've used propane for the ease of use but it never seems to get the pipe hot enough for the solder to melt, do you know of any other gas that I can use to solder with the same ease of use as propane? One last question, is there anything that we can use to protect the immediate area around the joint from the flame?

[plumberx]

Thank you very much for the nice comment

[ProImageEmpire]

Thank you for sharing you're knowledge. For it saved me tons of money.

[ComSisk]

good old methalised acetaline propadiene stabilised mixture, or mapp gas.

propylene is the modern equiv.

[casper55117]

@plumberx the plumber i have my apprenticeship with still has one true turbo torch awesome product. i think the only thing that would even come close to it would be an an acetylene torch

[casper55117]

@plumberx yep map became too expensive i wish i could still find just map

[plumberx]

@odmcarp Turbo Torch Yup That the best you can get. Thank you for the comment

[casper55117]

@odmcarp turbotorches are not being made any more

[casper55117]

@odmcarp its not the same anymore they now use mappro

[casper55117]

@odmcarp your a moron look it up on wiki

[CollegeWebMagazine]

This is cool!

[plumberx]

@CollegeWebMagazine Thank you very much

[STARFIRESOLAR]

I know I didn't just see you didn't wipe that hot joint with your bare finger did I?

[plumberx]

@STARFIRESOLAR No I didn't wipe it with my bare fingers. i have brown jersey gloves on and I'm wiping it very fast. :-)

[STARFIRESOLAR]

@plumberx Yep, you wiped it so fast it you can hardly tell it on the video. If I tried that I'd end up setting the glove on fire! :) Good video tho!

[lcacwelder]

looking good.

[plumberx]

@lcacwelder Thank you very much :-)

[poshjon2]

I found this really helpful. I was having a problem getting the solder to flow and once I had seen this, I did the job in a couple of minutes.

Thanks.

[plumberx]

@poshjon2 That's the idea. Thank you very much for the nic comment.

[Mrcfrickie]

Are you using propane? Propane = Homeowner Mapp = Plumber

[plumberx]

@Mrcfrickie Acetylene I really don't like using the Small Bottles of gas you get in the hardware store they tend to go out if there's to much wind or holding it upside down. They don't seem to have enough pressure.

[MrInternet69]

Can you get a good solder connection if the copper pipe still has wet moisture on it. I just shut the water off, but there is still some water dripping in the copper pipe. I heard you can use bread to absorb the water. Thanks.

[plumberx]

@MrInternet69 Yea you can but only with some bread jam in the pipe. Any water is going to make steam and steam will give you a pin hole leak, Get the bread in there good and far back enough it dosn't get in the way. Good luck :-) And thanks for checking out the videos.

[2020starman]

turn up ur flame taking too long .. snott bead dude

[2020starman]

turn up ur flame taking too long 

[agiwch]

from morrocco i say- thank you brother.....

[plumberx]

@agiwch Glad I can help. Thank you.

[JMEBF]

@ReCiMaFiA mmmhhhh sorry but I ignore what "braising" is. Well,.. after a lot of time un-soldering the 95-5% (tin-lead) solder,.. I used 95-5% (tin-silver) and it was so worth it,.. In spite of being expensive, I will never go back,.. Much better, stronger and reliable,.. Next step, tying out the 55-45% to solder a piece of stainless steel with a copper one. My reflux-still is working just fine, cheers!!!

[danzeyboy]

The gloves you wear to tidy up your joints...what are they?

[plumberx]

@danzeyboy Brown Jersy gloves. I buy them at The Home Depot by the half dozen. . I can't work with out them :-)

[mcinty12]

Make sure your propane is Mapp it burns hotter

[watwi00]

Thank you! I have to solder 3/4" copper pipe for Fluid Distribution Systems class. How long do I have to heat the pipe before I touch the 95/5 solder?

[plumberx]

@watwi00 There is no certain time to start Appling the solder, its going depend on how high you have the fire turned up. Me I would just keep touching the pipe and fitting with the solder until I see the solder starting to melt or take in. Good Question thank you for your comment. I hope this helps and good luck on your class project.

[JMEBF]

Man, I got to the stage where I had to use silver solder at 6% or something like that,. It took ages to the stick melt, and using a screwdriver I pushed and maniplated it to put two copper pieces toghether,.. but it worked,.. and the resulting union is as hard as a rock. I would have never achieved the task without a huge regular gas blowtorch...

[fotljubei]

i can do it much better as you dude

[plumberx]

@fotljubei :-) Thanks for checking out the video.

[JMEBF]

...forgot to say that I'll use 50/50% solder,.. is that fine? I tried the silver solder 6%,... and it was very complicated to work with.

[plumberx]

@JMEBF 50/50% should not be used with drinking water soldering. It's been outlawed for some time now for drinking water. 50/50% has to much lead in it. Yea it is a little easer to you but not safe. Stay with the 95/5 of lead free. Thanks for bringing this up. I'm surprise you can still find 50/50% Interesting. Again thanks for bring this up.

[JMEBF]

@plumberx . Then I'll get the 95-5% solder straight away, but is it too difficult comparing with the 50-50%? By the way I'm from Chile

Another thing, have you tried the just for copper sort of glue?.. I rather go the old school,...

Thanks for the advice!!!

[plumberx]

@JMEBF Good deal. Yes use the 95/5 or lead free solder yes it melts faster and will run on you more so then 50/50 but its really not that hard to control. I have never tried the (Just for copper) Like you said im old school. I'm sure it may be a good product I just like my solder. :-) Your welcome and thank you.

[JMEBF]

@plumberx Thanks man! I got the 95-5% and it didn't seem hard to control,.. but I ignore what the hell happened, thing is it didn't propperly stick to the copper piece,.. maybe I over heated it, or perhaps the paste burnt, or I drank to many cans of booze while working :) I'll try again with daylight...

[plumberx]

@JMEBF lol. Yea drinking a solder don't work very well. Your funny. I hope your useing the right kind of flux. I use a brand call nocorrode

[JMEBF]

...forgot to say that I'll use 50/50% solder,.. is that fine? I tried the silver solder 6%,... and it was very complicated to work with.

[JMEBF]

Hi,.. I'm building a still and I'm right t the stage to solder the copper pipes,.thing is I'm afraid that pieces are too close,.. if you first solder a cap and then, within the next inch you have to solder an L fitting,.. what do you do to avoid melting the first union? Would it be necessary to use some cooling technique on the first part,.. like a directional blower,. or do you think is just a matter of re-soldering, just a matter of skill even if the pieces get loose?

Thanks and good luck! JM

[chicagosfinest2k10]

Is this the same for 95/5 solder??

[plumberx]

@chicagosfinest2k10 Yes it is the same as 95/5 

[wgseagal]

good example

[Killadelphia744]

And you use teflon tape and pipedope

[plumberx]

@Killadelphia744 Yep!

[Killadelphia744]

You can't join copper to galvanised steel u use a brass adapter to prevent electrolysis

[sticksbass]

@Killadelphia744 hey, i bought a torch and then i noticed the package said 'use with propane only.' i wonder why?

[plumberx]

@sticksbass Yea that's because the touch you bought orifice is design for Propane only. Its all about the orifices basely meaning the outlet ff the burner. Propane is fine for soldering copper pipe, but acetylene is more common. I use Acetylene my self.

If you can take it back. Good Luck and thanks for stopping buy

[sticksbass]

@plumberx what happens if mapp is used through a propane' torch?

[plumberx]

@sticksbass Sorry I have never trying this. Each type of gas burn's different some hotter then others, some slower. some are liquid, some are not. Check out this web site. ( Wikipedia ) TYPE IN ALL ABOUT GAS. This may help with all your answer about gas. I don't want to give you any answers that may be disleading. Good Luck.

[TheBbardin]

NIce description, thanks brother.

[plumberx]

Your welcome. And thank you for stopping by have a great day.

[plumbersforum]

Excellent product , good for all plumbers and gas fitters

[Cj816]

say you were to put that fitting into a galvanized elbow or something. How would you protect that fitting from galvanic corrosion? ive seen it done, and it looks like they've put dope on it.

[forestfat]

Excellent video!!! One of the best out there! I was soldering the exact same fitting (threaded) onto a copper pipe. Thanks so much! The guy - "boatandfireman" and his comments are dumb. Ignore him. Plumberx is is the best! Thanks.

[plumberx]

WOW! Thank you very much always nice to hear good feed back.

Again thanks and have a great day. Thanks for watching. :-)

[simon1tan]

You're wiping it with your finger??!! Isn't it HOT??

[plumberx]

Yes it is, But I do have gloves on and I'm wiping it fast and lightly.

[sqhschief]

Thanks for the vid man.

[plumberx]

Thank you for stopping by.

[boatandfireman]

why do a yanks call it soder its solder ??

[plumberx]

Your right we do pronounce it different then you guys. You say Potato I say Pototo That's what makes the world great. We can agree to disagree. Why we say soder? Wish I had and answer for you. But if you find out let us know. Thanks for stopping by and have a great and different Day :-) PlumberX

[pclle]

It's a silent "L" end of story..lol

[plumberx]

lol

[FixxUGood]

Thats great for solitary pipes but how about those pipes that are pressed right up against the wall where you only have access from one side?

[plumberx]

Yes your right and we do have a video on here that cover just what your talking about. Thanks for asking.

[kokaiy]

yeah its so difficult but with pratice u can do it l am plumber in france just you need much practice

[pervious1]

If you're careful with the flame, slowly moving it 180 degrees, the heat will transfer enough to make all sides the same heat. Then, ensuring that your solder has been in the same flame long enough to achieve the same heat-apply, and watch th silver flow!

[rd6659]

Its simple. Try welding stainless

[plumberx]

Thats a good system also.

[FarmMachinist]

I tend to put the flame on one side and the solder on the opposite side ... pulls the solder down and around towards the flame and produces a really clean looking solder joint :O)

[FixxUGood]

Is there anything you do differently when applying flux using this technique?

[plumberx]

Well not really. I do like to wipe the access flux off to keep the solder from flowing all over the pipe and making a messy job.

[eurojorge]

Well , it´s done , but if fix the pipe , and use better fire dont need so many work , i will make one and post in my channel , like we do in Portugal . But it´s a nice work .

[plumberx]

Thank you very much. Let me know when you post it. Have a great day

[SketchyAussie]

Thanks for this video, it's taught me quite a bit.

What kind of pressures can you use in pipe that's been joined this way?

[joop1977]

at least 7 bar

[MISSEDHERSIR]

to the point. clear and concise. thanks.

[nomoneysonny]

"you don't want to heat the pipe you want to heat the fitting" - This advice could've saved me many hours and many dollars. Thanks for finally laying it all out.

[plumberx]

LOL! Don't feel bad it happens to some of the best of us. Just chalk it up as a Battle scare and experience. I have mind. LOL! Don't get me wrong. I don't want any one to get hurt. But like any thing ells we have to be carful. This is where experience come it to play. Im also glad you saved money and installed your own shower valve great job.

As always thank you for you comment. And have a great day

[Two11two]

I sweated in a shower faucet, it went pretty well. Although I accidentally burnt most of the hair off my right hand.

[pacoloco987]

after soldering the joint while it is still hot you can wipe flux on it to cool it down and it also helps to seal the joint.

[plumberx]

Yes that's RIght thanks

[Two11two]

Nice job. I was wondering if flux was applied first.

[plumberx]

Thank you

[completeplumbing]

not to bad. best i have seen on this subject so far but never wipe the pipe till it is cool or you risk breaking the joint.

[SlickManChoux]

For small jobs lead soldering ok

But for a long I prefer brazing this is 100 % sure.Try this at home solder and braze two copper pipes with lead or lead free solder And braze the other piece try to break them the brazed joints never break

[mlemert]

You don't need to braze joints for regular household jobs. Soldering is just fine.

[uaplumber23]

Brazing is overkill....

[talkingalwayz]

do u know if solder thats lead free is garbage? because it wont stick to the tip of the soldering iron at all. and the tip is clean i sanded it down and i keep wiping it on a wet rag. the iron doesnt even heat up like it did the first time i used it. but i think its because the tip is broken, if i got a new tip and diff solder, would that fix it?

[plumberx]

I don't know about a soldering iron. I use a torch, and I solder copper pipe, if you're talking about soldering electronics, I couldn't help you. But you may need some flux; electronics do not use the same solder as copper pipe. Sorry I couldn't help you.

[Orvi11e]

I wouldn't call lead-free solder garbage, but it can be more difficult to use than standard 60/40 solder. It has a higher melting point which is probably why you had such a hard time with it. However, I'd get used to it, you'll be seeing it more and more in the future.

[beezo2]

Get a little can of tip tinner from Radio Shack. It's probably the only thing from Radio Shack that actually works. Don't sand the tip too much.

[LastofJedi]

You can mechanically press a 2-1/2" up to a 4" copper or bronze elbow in 5 seconds now using ProPress tools. RIDGID makes a great one. They have videos about it on this site.

[leorio2]

The solder that we use didn't go inside the fittings and joint, what do you think the problem is? and solder just dropping on the ground.

[plumberx]

You may have water in the pipe, You may be using the wrong solder. Solder to use lead free or 95/5 also you may need to get the pipe hoter. Good luck

[FinkFonkFunkaal]

Very nice. Do you need to use a paste?

[plumberx]

Yes you do need solder past. Thanks for asking and watching my video. The Typ of solder past I use is called no corroide.

Again thanks for stoping by.