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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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!

[GotLearn]

Tools and materials I used in this video:

[danbuffington]

The quality of the preparation for these videos is insane. Legit, one of the singular most detailed YouTubers.

[rpan]

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.

[pvbarbell]

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.

[charleswilson]

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.

[alanling]

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.

[mikemorgan]

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.

[pcjgrjpaj]

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!!

[richardhead]

Call me weird, but I like to see a few millimeters of solder adjacent to the joint.

[Payaso_Boxing]

This video is pure gold. Once you understand the concept, it's pure gold.

[TerryPullen]

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.

[jgallone]

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.

[stevie]

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!

[rayprisk]

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.

[kevinr]

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.

[ThaRipla]

I want to thank you 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

[PercentATP]

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!

[tomhollins]

Wow an absolutely clear explanation as to what is happening and when. The technique is impeccable.

[flowerpt]

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!

[brasshouse]

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.