Ask Me Help Desk - Pipe sweating not working

Well I thought I could figure this out easy enough but something is going pretty wrong. Since I haven't done this before I decided to get a 24" copper pipe and some fittings from Lowe's to test on and thank God I did.

I have a bernzomatic propane torch, sterling water based flux, bernzomatic lead free solder, a pipe cutter, and a pipe scrubber (or whatever you call the wire brush).

So reading I saw that you heat the joint up then when the pipe is hot enough you place the solder on the joint and allow the solder to suck into the joint. I also read the different opinions on how much flux to use (I tried light and moderate). I also read that if the flame on the opposite end of the pipe from the torch is green you are still not hot enough.

Anyway, I go to heating and checking the solder to see if it will suck in. It never really did. I know I got that pipe hot enough because one of the fittings turned molten red and started changing shape. I tried 3 different times to no avail. I scrubbed the fittings so they were shiny well above the joint, even used some steel wool to finish it up. Then I went and got a piece of my existing pipe (peice from Lowe's was type - L) thinking maybe I got the wrong type. Nope. Two of the fittings were not even close to soldered. I was able to pull them apart with no effort once they cooled.

What am I doing wrong!?
HELP!

Quote:

Originally Posted by masterbath

Well I thought I could figure this out easy enough but something is going pretty wrong. since I havent done this before I decided to get a 24" copper pipe and some fittings from Lowes to test on and thank God I did.

I have a bernzomatic propane torch, sterling water based flux, bernzomatic lead free solder, a pipe cutter, and a pipe scrubber (or whatever you call the wire brush).

So reading I saw that you heat the joint up then when the pipe is hot enough you place the solder on the joint and allow the solder to suck into the joint. I also read the different opinions on how much flux to use (I tried light and moderate). I also read that if the flame on the opposite end of the pipe from the torch is green you are still not hot enough.

Anyways, I go to heating and checking the solder to see if it will suck in. It never really did. I know I got that pipe hot enough because one of the fittings turned molten red and started changing shape. I tried 3 different times to no avail. I scrubbed the fittings so they were shiny well above the joint, even used some steel wool to finish it up. Then I went and got a peice of my existing pipe (peice from lowes was type - L) thinking maybe I got the wrong type. Nope. Two of the fittings were not even close to soldered. I was able to pull them apart with no effort once they cooled.

What am I doing wrong!?!
HELP!

Where is the pipe located? And what do you mean it is not working?

The pipe is just a piece I bought to test with. It is a 24" piece of 1/2 type L copper pipe. What isn't working is that the solder never seems to suck into the joint.

First it sounds like you have the pipe to hot. You need to start with a clean and shiney pipe end and clean the inside of the fitting too with emery cloth or wire brush till it is shiney. Then using a acid brush coat the inside of the fitting and the outside of the pipe with flux for no lead solder. Put the two pieces together and heat the pipe and fitting together both pieces have to be hot for solder to stick. So heat were they jion together till the solder just melts and flows around the joint and no hotter. Wipe the joint with a wet rag to remove the excess flux and you are soldered. It does not take much solder to seal the joint. With a little parctice and you will be a pro at it. Just use the tip of the flame to heat the pipe it gives you better control of the heat

Hold your torch flame UNDER the joint and the tip of your solder OVER the joint. When the solder melts run the tip around the joint and capillary action will do the rest. Good luck, Tom

Quote:

Originally Posted by speedball1

Hold your torch flame UNDER the joint and the tip of your solder OVER the joint. When the solder melts run the tip around the joint and capillary action will do the rest. Good luck, Tom

Thanks, I think I finally got the hang of it. I suspect I was holding the flame too close to the pipe. I also got some new solder which was a bit heavier but I doubt that was the reason.

Quote:

Originally Posted by masterbath

Well I thought I could figure this out easy enough but something is going pretty wrong. since I havent done this before I decided to get a 24" copper pipe and some fittings from Lowes to test on and thank God I did.

I have a bernzomatic propane torch, sterling water based flux, bernzomatic lead free solder, a pipe cutter, and a pipe scrubber (or whatever you call the wire brush).

So reading I saw that you heat the joint up then when the pipe is hot enough you place the solder on the joint and allow the solder to suck into the joint. I also read the different opinions on how much flux to use (I tried light and moderate). I also read that if the flame on the opposite end of the pipe from the torch is green you are still not hot enough.

Anyways, I go to heating and checking the solder to see if it will suck in. It never really did. I know I got that pipe hot enough because one of the fittings turned molten red and started changing shape. I tried 3 different times to no avail. I scrubbed the fittings so they were shiny well above the joint, even used some steel wool to finish it up. Then I went and got a peice of my existing pipe (peice from lowes was type - L) thinking maybe I got the wrong type. Nope. Two of the fittings were not even close to soldered. I was able to pull them apart with no effort once they cooled.

What am I doing wrong!?!
HELP!

I am no plumber but go light on the solder, you might not think it's sucking back in but it probably is - give it another try, sounds like you are doing everything right. There is a plumber who reads these posts so if you have time, he will answer and he's experienced and usually right on.

Quote:

Originally Posted by RichardBondMan

I am no plumber but go light on the solder, you might not think it's sucking back in but it probably is - give it another try, sounds like you are doing everything right. There is a plumber who reads these posts so if you have time, he will answer and he's experienced and usually right on.

Thanks, I think I am getting the hang of it now.