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Can you use a soldering iron for plumbing?
Electrical solders have a lower melting point (around 360˚F), while solders used in plumbing have higher melting points, usually well over 400˚F. This is why electrical soldering can be done using a soldering iron while most plumbing soldering uses a gas torch to heat up the metals.
Do you need special solder for copper pipe?
What Type of Solder is Used for Copper Pipe? Lead free solder is best for copper pipes carrying drinking water. It will be free of elements you don’t want entering your drinking water. However it will require a higher melting point than a 50/50 solder.
Can you overheat copper pipe when soldering?
Overheating is a major problem when brazing or soldering copper pipe because the flux will burn (become oxidized), stop working, and become a barrier to tinning. In addition, a heavy oxide can be formed on the pipe itself, preventing a bond from forming between the filler metal and the pipe surface.
Can soldering iron melt copper?
A soldering iron works at 250-300C. Yeah, copper melts at around 1100C/2000F, so no chance. My very nice 60W Hakko ceramic-core soldering iron that I use for stained glass can only hit 1100F, which is already far too hot to do anything useful.
Can copper be solder with a soldering iron?
You can fix it using a soldering iron, as long as you follow the basic rules of soldering copper wire and make sure you’re careful and attentive during the process.
Can you use a solder iron for copper?
Soldering iron to copper is not much different than soldering a piece of copper onto a copper fitting. The only real difference is that you will have to use a dielectric union at the point where the copper pipe joins the iron pipe.
What type of solder is best for copper pipe?
Lead-free solder is preferable for copper water pipes. It will be devoid of contaminants that you do not want in your drinking water. It will, however, necessitate a greater melting temperature than a 50/50 solder. Purchase lead-free solder suited for copper water pipes from the plumbing area of the store.
What kind of torch do you use to solder copper pipe?
MAPP gas torches burn hotter than propane, making them a better choice for modern solder. Five to 10 seconds of heating with a MAPP gas torch is all that’s required before you can feed solder into most 1/2- to 3/4-in. pipes and fittings.
How long should I wait to turn water on after soldering?
30 seconds should be long enough. Once the solder has solidified, you are good to go. The water will only make it solidify faster by cooling, but if it is still molten, the water pressure will separate and/or pollute the joint.
Why does my solder not stick to copper pipe?
the solder is hot enough, but the copper is not hot enough. Heat the copper more before applying the solder. The join is not clean enough. If you’re using a good flux, then the copper isn’t clean enough.
Can you use a propane torch to solder copper pipe?
Torch. The torch needed for soldering copper can be propane or MAPP gas (methylacetylene-propadiene propane). Propane works fine, it just takes longer—which may work to your advantage if you are new to soldering copper and are working on 3/4-inch or 1/2-inch pipe. The choice of a torch is really up to you.
Is it hard to solder copper pipe?
Soldering copper water supply lines is not a difficult skill. Even a rookie can learn to solder leak-proof joints in 30 minutes. The process is simple—if you follow a few basic guidelines.
Can you use solder as wire?
The best solder to use for tinning stranded copper wire is electrical-grade rosin-core solder. This is an acid-free solder that contains a flux in the core of the solder. Never use solder that contains acid, which can damage the wire or its insulation. Acid-core solder is intended for use in plumbing applications.
How do you prepare copper for soldering?
How to Solder a Hole in Copper Pipe Follow the steps above to clean and prep your pipe. Apply flux around the hole. Heat the pipe and melt the solder. Clean off any drips. Let the patched pinhole cool before you turn on the water again. Replace the entire section of pipe as soon as possible.
Why does my solder not stick?
A classic reason solder won’t stick to something is because you’re not getting it hot enough. My interns come to me with this problem all the time. Make sure the tip of the iron is nice and shiny. Touch some solder on it, and it should melt almost instantly.
Is flux used when soldering copper pipes?
Flux is a compound commonly used in plumbing applications where two joints are connected using solder. This is a process known as “sweating” pipes together. Combined with solder, flux is a key part of the sweating process. Flux is used to connect copper pipe.
Why do you use flux when soldering copper?
What is Flux? In plumbing, flux is a compound used as part of soldering a pipe joint. It’s an acidic paste that is applied to the part of the copper pipe where the solder must make a bond. It cleans the joint, if you rub it on some copper and leave it a short while, it will be left gleaming when you wipe it off.
