SOLDERING MISTAKE #2 (heat quantity)

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[GotLearn]

Stuff I used in this video (Amazon affiliate links)
Tools:

[cantgetright]

I soldered a whole bowling alley with 19 vav units in the ceiling. I did all the piping from each unit to the chiller out in the yard. There were at least 1000 joints. That job took 5 months 40 hours a week with just me the, solderer. And one other guy, my fitter. I would do nothing but solder and clean fittings literally all day. From 4 inch all the way down to one half I only had 2 leaks. And they were unions. I'm 24 I was only soldering 1 year at that point and it's just a small mom and pops company.

[alanhederer]

1. Heat the fitting and not the pipe

2. Put the solder on the opposite side of the heat source so once the solder starts melting it flows everywhere because it's all hot enough.

3. Use a flux brush to brush the joint while the solder is still melted.

4. Let it cool, then wipe off the excess flux

[americanadventureoutdoors]

Hold your flame closer to the bend and not at the begging of the joint, the solder will go towards the heat . For 1/2 inch copper, it don’t take much heat and don’t need much flame .

[kurtisjames]

Also when soldering the flame will turn green when it is hot enough. It's easy to do it this way with half inch copper. The solder will work before the flame turns green but when it is green it works.

[davidelliott]

You have to be extremely heavy-handed to get it too hot. Just keep warming and touching on the solder. It will melt then flow. Job done.

[trentdawg]

I usually count to 45 then hit it!!! Been a plumber for over 20+ years now

[scottfletcher]

Excellent advice for beginners. Follow those rules, pay attention to the cues and you’ll be fine. If ur burning ur flux out have someone take the torch from you, it’s too late for you.

[mattberg]

When the copper oxidizes, turns the flame green, hit it

[ddmau]

Lastly, never aim your torch into the joint, if your doing residential plumbing, just move your flame around the hub on the fitting while applying the solder .

[joshuamoore_]

🥇 1st place : When the solder starts to melt ! The same is true with silver soldering "brazing" ! 🥇

[obsoleteprofessor]

Heating the most massive first as it holds heat. Then go some distance away from the joint and heat the pipe, well away from the joint. It almost acts as it's a stop to keep the heat from escaping. The heat radiates downstream from the massive fitting (elbow) and it meets the heat that was added to the pipe. What you want to solder (the joint) is trapped in between and you will see the flux bubble. Don't put the flame on the flux because you'll make it turn black like tar and the solder will not flow. When the flux is bubbling, touch the solder to the joint. You will feel a solid clunk as the still stiff solder touches the joint. As you keep touching (testing), you will feel the solder top get mushy. That tells you it's almost ready to flow. Keep the heat on and once it starts to flow, you can pull the heat off. Very large fittings (1-1/2"+) might require 2 people and 2 torches.

[jaavelar]

While May not always the case a little trick/indicator I learned from a good friend is that the flame will change color (blue/yellow to green) when ready.

[Joseph-ibhr]

When you are shattering start at the bottom joint. First heat rises. When you finish the bottom joint, the top is ready to go

[airgliderz]

Good advice...
Versus "The bigger the blob the better the job" soldering method.."???

[georgewiley]

It's all about prep. Clean fittings sweat right together. Lmao

[larryyang]

Never know when was ready this video it perfect for me, thanks for sharing skills

[billjordan]

And don't put the flame directly where the solder goes, as he did to demonstrate the Flux turning black and over heating.

[newjargon]

It also helps when you have a nice hook on the end of the solder. Especially when its tight access.

[avmancl]

I've been soldering since I was a preteen. It's a lost art today, all plumbers I see use propress, pex and compression.