How To Solder Copper Pipe Like a Pro (Tips & Tricks) | GOT2LEARN
Here's a solder like a pro without having a messy looking joint!
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How to solder the correct way: • How to Solder Copper P...
How to solder in a wall: • How to Solder Copper P...
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DISCLAIMER: Got2Learn is NOT responsible for any damage done to a property of which the plumbing wasn't done by a professional, I do not recommend doing your own plumbing if you are unsure about what you are doing, always hire a LICENSED contractor when doing any type of plumbing so you can be covered by insurances if something does happen, these videos are for entertainment purposes only!
Tools and materials I used in this video: AutoCut Pipe Cutter 1/2": amzn.to/2XlyqAn AutoCut Pipe Cutter 3/4: amzn.to/2GZFrkf Pencil Torch: amzn.to/2U3OTaa Broad flame torch: amzn.to/2Jeaeeq Fitting Wire Brush 1/2": amzn.to/2BOlNVc Fitting Wire Brush 3/4": amzn.to/2U33enp Propane gas(Blue bottle): amzn.to/2BOhnh7 Lead-free tinning flux: amzn.to/2U3abEW Lead-free flux(water soluble): amzn.to/2XjaYn9 Flux brushes: amzn.to/2T8ROBc Lead-free solder: amzn.to/2EoqSFb Lead solder: amzn.to/2Lo2xVF Flame protector: amzn.to/2Vh8q7o Abrasive pads: amzn.to/2NnA9QP All-in-one deburring tool (blue): amzn.to/2U3J1xu Inspection mirror: amzn.to/2Y0HuK8
Someone here asked: "How much solder do I use?" Until you get a true "feel" for soldering I'd recommend this - use about 1/2 of the diameter of whatever fitting you are soldering. Thus if you are soldering 1/2" pipe, use about 1/4" of solder. If you are soldering a 1" pipe - use about 1/2" of solder. And how do you know how much solder you are actually using? Well, if you need 1/2" of solder, bend a 90 degree angle at the tip or your solder so you physically have 1/2" of solder after your bend. If you need 1/4" of solder, bend the tip of the solder so that you have 1/4" of solder past the bend. It is VERY easy to add too much solder (and as this video showed) where you end up puddling the solder inside the joint. Truly, you need VERY LITTLE solder to make a sealed joint. When I was a novice I was installing a boiler and had soldered a 3/4" vertically mounted gate valve - and because of the mass of the valve I REALLY soldered that valve to make sure it didn't leak. Problem was - I had used so much solder that when the valve was opened (the gate was pulled back to open the valve) I had completely sealed the valve closed. I had created a solid solder plug! Yup - played hell finding that little error when the system wouldn't work. And that's when boss-man taught me the 1/2 the diameter of the pipe trick.
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@@kevinr4454 Just get away from soldering! Use only compression fittings. They are easy to install and never leak.
Do you have videos on the sewer line that connects to city main? Thanks
Why use an auto cutter you'll need your trusty rigids reamer anyway. Always ream! Lol
Wow an absolutely clear explanation as to what is happening and when. The technique is impeccable.
Thank you Tom, share if you can :)
Got2Learn plumbers save lives throughout the day! Every day! That is why it's better to take a few extra minutes and make sure each job is correct and safe, and not be rushed by our bosses
Our bosses are not always out in the field, some of them are sitting behind a desk and counting the money that we make for them, but I can go home and sleep with a good conscious if I do it correctly and safely for the customer
Good technique- I like seeing blokes with good hand skills. I'm a licensed plumber and take pride in workmanship. It's good to see someone promoting quality!!
Thanks a lot buddy ;)
Does this mean , you only use this technique for all your work ? Where do you work ? Never used the technique of leaving a thin neat but visible line of solder just barely around the joint ?
We have a timber frame house with exposed copper piping for the fire suppression system. The plumber that did our joints did a fantastic job with just a small fillet of solder around the fittings. He went to the extra trouble to make the soldering look good because people will see his work for the life of the house.
Niceeee!!!
It’s nice to see these how to videos. One way I learned on the different methods was cut in half the coupling and hammer it flat after soldering. You will see how good your soldering method works. Try different scenarios, what happened when you don’t clean your pipe or fitting. Or when you don’t wear gloves and you leave finger prints on the pipe. I guess I should make a video too🤔
Call me weird, but I like to see a few millimeters of solder adjacent to the joint.
That's fine.
NOT weird. That's one way you know the solder has reached the back of the joint, taking into consideration you had the solder on the joint in the first place, which I believe you did.
Same with glued joints. If you can see the glue you know it's glued. As an apprentice (and ONCE as a Journeyman) I forgot to glue a joint. Easy to do. Visual cues save you from digging down 3' to find out why it's not holding during the test
Agreed. I also knock the bead off with a flux brush.
Exactly. Or “degree of certainty”
After watching your video, I assisted my neighbor in installing the water heater. Following your technique, the results were amazing. My neighbor thanked me for a professional result. In fact, I convey my thanks to you, because you deserve the credit.
Wow, I feel honored, thank you so much for the feedback!
Followed your advise when soldering gas tank air pressure lines on my 1914 Oldsmobile, and your video helped me do a much better job than I've done in the past. Thanks alot.
Glad it helped!!! :)
I am a diyer with no experience at soldering copper pipe, but after watching some of these videos I got together some 1/2 in pipe and tools and began practicing. After a while my joints started looking decent and I thought they wouldn't leak although I had no way to test them, but they looked filled and good. So, I learned what it takes to make a good joint. Then I hired a plumber to install a new water heater. I was particularly interested in watching him solder the copper pipes. I was really impressed. All of his joints were examples of good soldering technique. I couldn't have done what he did but I know a good joint when I see one.
This video is pure gold. Once you understand the concept, it's pure gold.
I’ve never seen such a beautiful soldering job on any pipes in any house I’ve ever been in. Including the new homes my boss was building when I was in high school.
Love your videos. They are very informative and comprehensive, definitely helped me up my game, thanks!
The quality of the preparation for these videos is insane. Legit, one of the singular most detailed KZheadrs.
This channel needs more subscribers like you ;)
Yeah "detailed" until you pay for shit that is a giant waste of time.
@@russscott8650 ?
@@russscott8650 Dont be a jerk, no one likes a jerk!
Great video! Especially with the short clips on examples explaining what you are talking about. I've noticed while heating the fitting , the flux comes out. I wipe it with a rag( yes its hot) , then apply the solder mainly on vertical piping. Its clean enough to look professional. And no leaks!
Good work bud, and thanks for the nice comment ;)
I solder with cotton gloves. A finger swipe at the end to knock off the drops and leave a clean appearance. Then a quick wipe with a damp rag to get rid of the flux. I like the look of a tiny, even fillet of solder. Key word TINY. I was taught never to rely on capillary action on a horizontal joint and trace a full 360 with the solder. When i started with my father, he recommended bending a tight 90 at the end of the solder to mark it and get just the right amount until I got a feel for it. 1/2 " copper 1/2 inch of solder, 3/4" for 3/4" etc. When the bent leg is gone, you're done. Lather rinse repeat. To speed cleaning he had drill brush attachments made up for male and female for 1/2 and 3/4 fittings. They work great. I still have them around somewhere. Don't do enough copper anymore to use them much these days. Not saying my way is THE way. Just sharing what works for me.
As I was watching another video it occurred to me that wearing gloves might be a good idea to prevent contaminating the copper as you clean it,
@@charleswilson4598 The disadvantage of wearing gloves is you don't get that attractive dark staining on your skin(my body chemistry?, I know very few that get this) and that unique, I've been running copper all day smell. Ok, may not a disadvantage after all. I prefer leather for cutting and deburring, better gription. Never really thought about it before, but next time, I may wear leather on my left and cotton on my right hand. Just had my eureka moment. BTW, the gloves are the cotton poly blend yellow ones. I always thought they were just cotton, but just checked. Handy Andy gloves. They haven't changed much in 50 years.
@@mikemorgan5015 I haven't changed much in 50 years either.
True…. Enough Said
Just wanted to say thank you for the many good videos you have put out. They are well done and to the point.
Thank you for your video. Today I capped two pipes because your detailed videos gave me the confidence to do it myself. You know I must have been very confident because no one wants water damage in their house.
I want to thank you Sooooo much... watched many of videos for tips and tricks. Just soldered a vertical 1" copper line (Main line). 4 joints soldered... you amazing. Thank you again, came out PERFECT
Awesome man, $$$ ;)
Best soldering tutorial I have seen on youtube! I have as much confidence in my joints as I do hiring a pro now.
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I used to work for plumbing company as laborer helper. It's easy enough to solder. Prep work is very key. Don't over use flux. Don't overheat it. " Write " once around the joint that's it. Wipe off excess if need be.
Awesome job. My grandfather taught me the basics 40 something years ago. This takes it to the next level. Thanks
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Am I missing something? Are you suggesting that after 40 years you're ready to take it to the next level? 😆
Fairpoint about going back and watching an earlier video to get your basics down first. Thank you for that advice.
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Good evening... your video lessons are always interesting. Congratulations!!! 😃
Thx buddy, really appreciate it ;£
I really like the tinning flux because as you are heating the joint, the ground up solder in the flux starts to plate out when you are at temperature. This helps me a ton because it is a signal to me that I I can start applying the solder and moderate application of heat to minimize the potential for overheating the joint. The other thing I noticed is the ground up solder in the flux really reduces joint fouling due to regular flux overheating and oxidation. great video!
Good comment, good tips!!
Thank you for commenting !
Would there be a situation where you should not use this flux? I can't see a reason to buy the regular stuff except the expense. For a DIY that's negligible.
Watching this during my OSHA 10 hour Class haha good job
Hehe, that's cool, have fun bud ;)
I tried during my osha 40 class but the drool messed up the screen..
Still have my OSHA 10 card from high school! Good for life.
A few years back my cleaning brush had gotten contaminated, it looked fine but something on it was ruining my joints. About 25% of my joints were failing and had to be re-done. After going crazy for about 3 months, one day I couldn't find my brush so I used sand paper and no failures! I was so excited to finally be free of that curse I was stopping strangers to tell them about my lousy cleaning brush.
😆😆😆
Stopping strangers, made me chuckle. I know what you mean
Wow what a joke tbh. I can use used sand paper or a "f" ed up brush and visibly see if the pipe isnt cleaned well. U r a joke. Find a new profession u dum fk
I like the fact there is always plenty of room in these videos unlike in reality when they are tight against a wall in hard to access places.
True, but planning a route goes a long way
Lol
@@LeeroyPaladin And that's when the motto of, "Sometimes you gotta not be afraid to fuck someone's shit up" comes into play
Yep. Agree 💯
This is a professional showing us how to do a good job. You need to account for camera angles. If the demo pipe is too close to the wall the camera cannot get in
Apart from the cleanliness and preparation what made the biggest difference to my ability to produce good joints as a DIYer was a decent MAPP gas torch. Especially on larger fittings where there is more metal to heat, the ability to get good heat into the fitting quickly is a must.
I've recently learned that mapp as we knew it hasn't been produced since 2008. The stuff that they sell in the yellow bottle isn't actually mapp. They intentionally call it map/pro to mislead the consumer. It only burns 100 degrees or so hotter than propane. Nowhere near what the old mapp was. The torch tip is far more important than buying today's yellow bottle. There are a couple of great videos that demonstrate this. I am no longer going to pay the premium price for a marginally better gas.
It might have been right for you but I just checked the price of one and for that amount of money I'd redo half of my house's plumbing with all materials included. It is totally not worth it, I paid something like $12 for my torch.
Great job... good looks and no leak is always what i shoot for. Thanks
Absolutely, thanks buddy for the positive comment ;)
Glad I subscribed and hit the bell in a prior video! Keep em coming. 10/10
Thanks man, glad you liked it ;)
@@Got2Learn The quality of my work is improving thanks to your great videos. Enjoy watching them.
Thx so much 2002, I really appreciate that ;)
Nice thanks for sharing! I'm new to this and from what I've been watching and how you are showing the way it should be done well I think those who are showing me are doing it wrong. It's hard to tell the boss their doing it wrong LOL.
Hehe, there's multiple ways to get it done right, don't worry ;)
Excellent preparation technique and the method of heating the front 2/3 - 3/4 while not heating directly to the back and allowing whicking and capillary action to suck in the solder works amazing, and it's truly so much easier! ! I was fortunate to first learn just exactly the same identical methods for doing this myself (with the exception of the tinning flux) I've always used only soldering flux, but seeing the ease and coverage it provided--my life will be made even simpler along with faster progress for each joint !! Much thanks for sharing this video kind sir !! Keep up the outstanding work !!
Glad I could help Ninja ;)
This must be called: "Surgical Soldering" Awesome! 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
Your videos are always great! I love learning new tricks!
Thanks so much Mike!
So detailed! Love it! Will use is!
Yeah give it a try, your boss will love ya ;)
That was Awesome!!! This video has been great step by step plenty of detail..
Thx a lot Desrick!!!
I do like to see the nice solder shine , just because it truly looks professional
I love soldering It’s super satisfying 👍🏼
Nice work! I have great respect for people who work to take their craftsmanship to the next level!
It’s such a good feeling knowing all your joints look beautiful and do the job right.
When cleaning joint, also lay emery flat on hard surface and drag end of fitting across emery to clean the face, solder will stick to the face of fitting to fill any voids
No one ever mentions this on you tube lol. In Mexico we all do this 😂😂😂👍👍👍
im new to hvac and this helped alot ty good sir!!
Another great instructional video. Just wonderful and informative.
Thanks again! Keep those comments comin' ;)))
hey man, bon video! this is exactly what i was looking for!
Awesome, glad you found it :)
Jaja aquí en mexico queda todo horrible. Thanks for the video man! I only wish this professionalism was appreciated in my country, blessings!
Thanks for watching! :)
Very professional finished joints, thanks for telling us hacks to go with a little more flux, and what it looks like if you do
🤜🤛
man this is gold, thanks
Absolutely love this one! Great knowledge and very, VERY well explained.
Thx cuz ;)
Great video man I really enjoyed it and after plumbing for 16 years you taught me something. I will say this to the younger plumbers, 99% of your solder joints are in a wall or under insulation and will never be visible so I personally don't put any stock in to how pretty a joint is. A while back I called out to a fancy lab at 10pm to fix an emergency leak on a 3" chilled water line. While fixing it i was gobbing solder in it and not giving on fuck what it looked like and my apprentice (5th year apprentice in the UA plumbing union) asked me "don't you care what it looks like? Thats not pretty." I told him "We just cut out and fixed pretty, im hanging something up there that we ain't gonna have to come cut out in a year like this "pretty" work here." There is a time and a place for what this video teaches you, its not for every job though.
Exactly! Yes, I mentioned somewhere in the video that I personally only use this for radiators and towel warmers and stuff like that where you have 1 or 2 joints that are exposed, other than that, there's no use for this method, unless you want it to look clean inside the wall..
@@Got2Learn pretty cool that I was able to learn a new technique after so many years in plumbing. For exposed joints all I've ever done is wipe the flux and try to control heat and just have a thin bit of solder showing. Never pulled off a flawless joint like that. Good video.
Very helpful. I appreciate your vids. Watching from Ontario Canada ❤
thank you i found this helpful
Got2Learn: this is for aesthetics Commenters: but it's not utilitarian! Thanks for showing us another option. I'm not going to use this joint but the license plate is great!
I can TIG, MIG, Wirefeed, ARC, Oxy-Acetylene weld, and Braze but I've NEVER soldered. How crazy is that. Something I NEED TO learn. Looks pretty easy. Thanks!
;) this is the place, have fun bud ;)
@Hans Fuchs no, it's not.
Excellent video... Properly photographed and well explained!
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Excellent Video. Appreciate the clear and concise instruction.
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Your channel is such a treasure.
Very much appreciated, thx so much OldsXCool!!!
@@Got2Learn Bury the treasure in a copper box, and solder it tight with a pretty, no drip seam.
For the home DIYer - go and spend a few dollars getting sacrificial materials to practice with. A length of copper pipe, a few connectors and then just practice your soldering technique where there's plenty of room and you don't have to worry about ruining anything if you mess up. Could save you a lot of frustration and money in the long run.
100% agreed 🙏
Yes. With this and literally every other contractor grade project.
Thank you so much boss I really learned a lot of your videos and your professional experience ❤🙏
Very good video. Soldering copper pipes is definitely an art, and my joints are not nearly as pretty. Considering I rarely have occasion to practice my technique, I am good with a non-leaking result.
Good video and commentary but as I have 30 years sweating copper, I have no issue seeing a slight dribble/drop at a joint. On vertical, a wet rag wipe will do the job of a down-run dribble but at least you know there is enough solder in joint. I've seen 200 psi blowouts using too little solder. Also, best tip for cleaning a joint after a good sweat, is to take your flux brush and paint over the area while still hot. The heat and flux cleans the joint super bright. Just wipe with wet rag after and the joint looks bright. Gotta comment...but, where I come from I have NEVER heard "solder" pronounced as 'sold-er'. It is pronounced as 'sod-der'. "L" is silent. My expertise is 2" to 4" pipe joints using MAPP.
And I apologize if I offended anyone with my comments. I am a grumpy General Contractor.
Hehe, at all ;)
s o l d e r = solder in UK, home of English language
@@stephensomersify Population Britain 66 mil. Population US 328 mil. "sod-der". More plumbers.
I used the acronym MAPP generically as well as everyone else does these days when in reality and to be specific it is MAPP-Pro. It is the only thing you can buy for small single bottle torches bc real MAPP went out of production a decade ago. I loved the real thing. Burned hotter and faster than any single bottle gas. Did not need any type of "turbo" torch to use. Now with MAPP-Pro, one needs to upgrade their torch. I tell everyone to use the Benzomatic TS8000 when using MP. I do use a propane torch to bring cast aluminum up to high heat before welding to avoid cracking. Funny thing, on a job last year, customer says I was welcome to use what ever was in their supply room. I discovered 4 pristine and unused bottles of real MAPP. I took them all and gave customer back new bottles of MP.
I’m an old school plumber trained by union journeymen in the field and classroom. We (all locals-US & Canada) learn from expert from the Copper Development Association , these are the people that test and developed soldering pipes and fittings, they also investigate pipe failure in law suits. Some of the adages I’ve learned from the class: if you can see the flux you are using too much. A good soldered joint is one that doesn’t leak a perfect solder joint is one that doesn’t leak 30 years from now, wait, wait what? Think about it. A person doing a 3/4 inch pipe on you tube cannot say that a joint is good by just apply flux and solder. The only way to verify the joint is perfect is by inundating the pipe and hydro-pumping the water in the pipe to 200 psi. Normal operating pressure in a house is 60-80 psi. If your joints don’t leak you have a perfect joint. In Hawaii all piping in big building are tested this way by code🌺
I used to do almost all my joints like this and we would run 120psi hydrostatic tests. I won't be a liar, some would leak, but that's because of where they were placed (very hard to reach), the others would do just fine.
His video is good & makes sense, 3 things I also do which I think are important/helpful, I always clean the ends of the fittings (added insurance) measure the length of solder you need (estimate, not rocket science) 3/4" for 3/4" 1/2" for 1/2", etc. & last which I think he said; let the solder flow to the heat !
Brilliant vid, handy for exposed pipework. Only thing I will say is that if you have a large amount of piping and soldering to do, you'll be there a good while.
99% of professionals will never do this sort of work because it takes way too much time. You can't even pay good money and expect work like this these days with "professionals". I love youtube and contributors like yourself who make DIY a great alternative!
Thank you very much, and yeah....people don't take the time anymore to do stuff nicely, oh well...
I agree. Also will add that who cares what it looks like. Won't be seen inside the wall. If exposed to view then yes I'd want it to look good.
I was taught to say thanks where thanks is due. So many thanks for taking the time to put these videos together. My plumbing skills are basic DIYer so OK with pre-soldered/yorkshire fittings etc. These videos get me to understand the finer points about removing burrs, heating from the bottom and so on. So again many thanks. Even if only a fraction is remembered it's a step forward. Mike Just noticed 987 thumbs down. You know your'e doing a good job when the 'plumbers' log on and starting dishing you. :)
You are most welcome. Yeah the thumbs down are mostly plumbers who don't like me giving away tricks lol.
new subscriber and an excellent video Thanks much and Happy New Year ❤️️
Thank you so much Arthur!
Love this video thank you very much for sharing and posting brilliant just what I needed liked and subbed UK fan
Awesome, thank you!
When I started out plumbing I would use old element covers from an electric water heater that I removed. After A while I'd throw it away and remove a new one.
pretty accurate dude! 35 years doing it
Awesomeee!!! Thanks a lot buddy ;)
Rare to find good contractors who care. Good job.
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Was worth the wait!
Thanks a lot marco!!
This video is gold 🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻 Amazing as always!
Thx sis!!
Someone here asked: "How much solder do I use?" Until you get a true "feel" for soldering I'd recommend this - use about 1/2 of the diameter of whatever fitting you are soldering. Thus if you are soldering 1/2" pipe, use about 1/4" of solder. If you are soldering a 1" pipe - use about 1/2" of solder. And how do you know how much solder you are actually using? Well, if you need 1/2" of solder, bend a 90 degree angle at the tip or your solder so you physically have 1/2" of solder after your bend. If you need 1/4" of solder, bend the tip of the solder so that you have 1/4" of solder past the bend. It is VERY easy to add too much solder (and as this video showed) where you end up puddling the solder inside the joint. Truly, you need VERY LITTLE solder to make a sealed joint. When I was a novice I was installing a boiler and had soldered a 3/4" vertically mounted gate valve - and because of the mass of the valve I REALLY soldered that valve to make sure it didn't leak. Problem was - I had used so much solder that when the valve was opened (the gate was pulled back to open the valve) I had completely sealed the valve closed. I had created a solid solder plug! Yup - played hell finding that little error when the system wouldn't work. And that's when boss-man taught me the 1/2 the diameter of the pipe trick.
Thank you very much for sharing that, key thing to know.
I enjoyed and will try your tip as well. I do the samething, I worry too much about leaks that I use too much. Ty
My question would be, with what thickness of solder does the rule work?
I like the concept of soldering from behind never thought of that let the solder get pulled into the joint nice
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Good advice. Thank you for the tips.
Glad it was helpful!
Tinning flux is game changer. My joints always look impeccable. Keep moving the torch and put the heat where you want the solder to go. This isn’t a hard skill to master.
Very awesome tips as usual. My brother is the guy that tends to overheat the joint lol. I don’t think I’ve ever used thinning flux, so that was quite interesting.
Thx Viper6, always enjoy reading your comments ;)
Tinning flux will almost seal joint by itself but will also cause voids if over heated
weirdfish weirdfish 👍
Most detailed video I have seen. 👍🏻
Thank you very much mister, really appreciate it!
I never knew about this lead-free tinning solder; I've always used the regular one. But I will try this one & hope it makes a good solder connection
Hey Got2Learn you should do a video about PVC solvent welds.
Most fluxes are chemical reaction (Laco) if a little to much heat they rim run but they can look OK at the time of running even old for years but any movement they can just part. Ever flux is an acid-based and creates a better capillary action
If your in the USA you cannot use acid based flux on potable water lines. It is prohibited in the IRC & UPC.
Neat, thx. I used to just brush some more flux on the joint while hot, that would somewhat clean the joint, but nothing like what your joints look like.
Thank you, your videos are always a big help.
Thank you so much Johnny!!
We only flux the pipe not the fitting itself. Especially on Gas lines as they can't be internally flushed. Also the access flux is pushed into the pipe and can draw in solder which causes turbulence and restricts the flow. Videos spot on bro, you're right on the money. The inner top tip of the inner flame is the hottest part of the flame. This is why we use this to heat the joint. Mapp gas for me when I solder ✌
Wooohoooo thx @ghost, glad you liked it bud!!
@@Got2Learn pleasure as always bro, keep doing what you do best 😜
Natural gas lines should never be soldered joints, rather they should be flared to adapt to iron pipe main. If by “Gas Lines” you are referring to Medical Gases, these should also never be soldered joints, but brazed with a nitrogen purge.
@@richardhy6931 Here in the United kingdom & Europe we use different thicker gauge copper. As the methanethiol added to gas to make it smell is lesser in content. The natural gas reacts very little with the copper. So Gas safety and use regulations states we can use copper. As it states appropriate fittings should be used. We cannot swage gas lines. Outlet gas lines from domestic meters are such low pressure and copper is actually the most common material used here. You have a different climate to us. So gas has a different thermal expansion to UK and Europe. Long gone are the days we used cast iron or steel for gas installations. I work commercial & domestic tiv & meter volumes can be extremely high in some cases. So the gas purge machine comes out quite often too.
It’s always interesting to see how things are done in other countries. Thanks for the explanation ghostman 👍🏼
Something I've learned over the years. Have you ever seen a leak on a soldered copper joint where it has both a bit of corrosion and a greenish color to it? That comes from wiping the copper with a metal scotch bright pad. Residual fibers from the pad react with the copper and its soldered joint. I would recommend wiping and cleaning with copper wool/scotch bright only. Excellent video.
Thats not what its from. Its from residual flux (highly acidic) oxidizing the copper. To prevent this, wipe your cooled joint with isopropyl.
@@thatf_inguy8220 Can't say I agree with you. While the flux is indeed highly acidic due to the fact it chemically cleans the copper, it isn't going to cause a properly soldered joint to leak because it wasn't wiped properly. If soldered joints were this susceptible to leaks because of them not being wiped properly, I'd guess this technique of piping would never be accepted in the field of plumbuing and would have died in its infancy..
Clean work. You are professional grade.No question ask.
Thanks Slavenko!
I have found over the years, good preparation and cleanliness is the biggest pat of all jobs and techniques. And then clean up afterwards. I like to even spray the pipes with clear coat when I'm finish with work that is highly visible. Great video though. Takes time to do good work. Takes more time to do it over.
Finally this video came out
Yeah I normally put them out on Sunday, but I felt bad to make you guys wait another day ;)
I also like pretty joints. I found that gently wiping the run or access solder with a dry rag or old leather glove while still melted, works wonders, the thin layer of tin that remains can just be cleaned up with emery paper. I sometimes re heat to wipe if necessary. It also works great if you use recycled pieces that have previously been soldered just heat wipe and you have a tinned pipe and not waste the precious copper by cutting it off. To clean soldered couplings, grab with longnose plyers heat and bump your hand against something solid the hot solder comes flying out. and you have a beautiful pre-tinned coupling that needs less solder and a non-leaking joint as a result. By the way I use LACO flux no leaky joints ever.
Yup i wipe joints with a scotch bright pad after soldering and joints like great everytime
Watch out world, Imma be a master with these solder tips now jk. Great job and thanks for showing us these great tips 👍
My pleasure Demon ;)
@@Got2Learn 👍
I'm doing a liquid cooled PC build, and wanted a kind of industrial look to it. I'm good soldering household pipes so they don't leak but they look awful. Thanks for the tutorial. Cheers.
Awesome man, hope it turns out nice ;)
Very good, as always. I’m no pro but do all my own plumbing using end feed copper joints. I would be happy taking the extra time and care to make clean joints like this in highly visible pipework. I have occasionally filed off excess solder to polish up a visible joint, but its time consuming. I’ll try this instead 😀👍
🙏🙏🙏
I like to use the flux brush at the end and go around the pipe and make the over solder look like a paint job lol. I'm an HVAC guy though, so I normally just braze copper haha
Are you brazing, or soldering with oxy-acetylene and/or MAPP ?
Thank you for good and interesting video.
Thx so much for the nice comment ;)
Excellent video!
Just a little tip to add that will save you from having any leaks after you have soldered. At the one minute 11 second mark in the video he shows flux on the pipe. I noticed the flux contains numerous amounts of small pieces of dirt. Those are the things that prevent the solder from running properly. So it is good to keep your flux covered when not using it. One small piece of dirt can prevent the solder from running into the entire joint. I am not bashing here...just pointing something out in this video that I did notice which should be corrected. Keeping every piece in the process clean will result in a watertight joint!!! Happy soldering!
Thanks bro :)
And using a clean cloth to wipe after sanding the copper. Thanks for your comments !
I use mapp gas, ream the female end of fitting and inner dia of tube and use Ruby brand flux that comes in a yellow can with excellent results. PS use very little heat when soldering baseboards because the copper is very thin and over heats easily.
Pretty sure I was taught to ream inside of the tube, and NOT the fitting. The purpose of reaming has not so much to do with the strength of the joint, but the torpidity of the water after the joint is done and the H2O is flowing. Torpidity at the joint will cause the joint to fail over time. Water will cut through rock with enough directed agitation - you want it flowing nice and smooth over the joint.
Not to put too fine a point on it but I believe it’s called cavitation, when a pipe starts to decay from inside due to uneven eddies and currents from a pipe that wasn’t reamed
@@62Cristoforo Not to put too fine a point on it, but cavitation is the result of torpidity at the joint.
This is great! Thanks for the education.
You have the best plumbing videos I've ever watched. Make sure that you make videos that cover working with abs and pvc
Thanks so much Daniel, I really appreciate it! I will do that for the ABS and PVC video, not to worry about :))
Great video, very educational.
Thx a lot @teh60
Will work with minimal heat on type M copper. Try heating just the fitting on type L & K copper and you’ll have some leaks.
I had a plumber that tried to make his joints look like this. He had more leaks than anyone. He said he didn't want to waste and drip solder all over the place. I responded by saying I don't want to drip and waste water. Solder the joint, leave 1/8" around it and swipe the dog ear off. You will know it's full. Had to get rid of him after I saw him on a service call soldering 4" copper with a #4 prestolite tip. Dude wouldn't listen.
It takes the same amount of time, just a different technique.
I call them dog balls
Lollll
Oh dear...
I always say solder is cheap . In a hard to reach spot I will let it drip . Finesse does not apply in this situation.
Very instructive and useful teaching video.