Can you solder pipes?
Soldering vertical copper pipe shouldn’t be too different from working horizontally. If the joint and tip are hot enough, the solder should flow right in. Heat the middle of the fitting and apply the solder as soon as it starts to melt. Remove the heat once the solder starts moving.
How do I prepare a pipe for soldering?
Wipe both sides of the joint with flux Tinning flux contains a powdered metal alloy that’s similar to solder. After a thorough cleaning, coat the pipe and fitting with flux before heating the joint. This helps solder flow into the joint. You may find two or three kinds of flux on the shelf.
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.
What is the proper heating procedure for soldering?
To solder, heat the connection with the tip of the soldering iron for a few seconds, then apply the solder.
- Heat the connection, not the solder.
- Hold the soldering iron like a pen, near the base of the handle.
- Both parts that are being soldered have to be hot to form a good connection.
How long can flux sit before soldering?
2 or 3 hours, sure. Re: how soon to solder after you applied flux? Re: how soon to solder after you applied flux? If your going to take the time to fit it up and flux everything, why not go ahead and solder it up while your there.
Can you use too much flux when soldering?
Although there is a sufficient amount of flux present in the core of the solder wire to get your job done, the technicians (to make their job easy) tend to use additional flux in form of paste or liquid during the rework on the PCB. There is no problem with the use of flux during soldering.
What happens if you use too much solder?
Repair: Sometimes the excess solder can be drawn off by dragging the tip of a hot iron between the two solder joints. If there is too much solder, a solder sucker or solder wick can help get rid of the excess. Prevention: Solder bridges most often happen between joints with too much solder to begin with.
Why is the solder not sticking to copper pipe?
If the solder is beading up or running down the pipe, you have a dirty fitting. Just as Vic says use clean fine grit sandpaper or emery cloth. Clean both surfaces, spread flux as soon as you clean them. Also clean and flux joint after you fit them together.
What do you use flux for when soldering?
The main purpose of the flux is to prepare the metal surfaces for soldering by cleaning and removing any oxides and impurities. Oxides are formed when metal is exposed to air and may prevent the formation of good solder joints.