To the left, 1st picture. Two pieces of pipe with a coupling (the two pieces of pipe will slide into the coupling and meet in the middle)
First rule of soldering pipe. ALL JOINTS MUST BE SUPER CLEAN. ANY DIRT AND THE SOLDER WILL NOT TAKE, LAZY MAN WORKS TWICE AS HARD HERE.
Sand paper or wire brush, the ends of the pipe until there is absolutely no dirt showing.
Then clean the inside of the coupling, where the pipe will slide in. Good to note here:You must not touch any of the sanded and cleaned parts with your bare hands. If the part to be sanded is small or short use a clean rag to hold.
Slide all three parts together, being careful not to touch the shinny parts. Now looking at the copper pipe and the coupling you should see about ¼” of shinny copper running past the coupling. If you do not — remove the pipe, and clean enough that you will be able to see cleaned copper running past the coupling.
Apply the flux that you bought, DON’T BE SCARED TO USE A LIBERAL AMOUNT OF FLUX. Do not use your fingers; you should use a flux brush. If a flux brush is not available, use something that will not leave a residue or lint in the flux (good example: A clean Popsicle stick)
Look at the second picture. We have put the pipe together using a coupling, it is cleaned and fluxed. You have a roll of solder in one hand. A torch in the other hand, ready to operate doctor.
Now here is the trick. You must heat the copper where the arrow is, in the middle, all around the coupling (I start at the top and work my way down). All the while you should keep the solder touching the edge of the coupling and the cooper pipe (near the top) It might stick, don’t worry it eventually it will melt.. When the pipe gets warm enough it will suck the solder in all around the joint.
You are finished when you see a little silver drop on the bottom of the joint. Picture 3
Let cool. Some wipe the little bubble off the bottom real quick. I do not touch the joint for about 30 seconds.
Clean off the remaining flux with warm soapy water and a rag.
If the solder doesn’t run around the joint, you have 3 reasons for this. First – The joint is dirty or contaminated. Second – You might have over heated the joint, soldering does not take a lot of heat. Third – Water, if there is any water in the pipe or near the joint it will have to be removed.
That’s it you have just finished soldering your first joint. NOT SO HARD
If you follow these steps carefully you will have no problem soldering pipe like a pro
Don’t forget to tell your friends where you found the free tutorial
