I have some hotel shower pipes to solder, and they are 1/4. The torch I have is too large. Any ideas on what to use to solder small pipes like this?
I use a common propane torch with the adjustable flame. You never want to heat the solder directly anyway. Heat the pipe and fitting, then let the solder flow in naturally. Clean the pieces well, and use soldering flux made for plumbing. I can't imagine what kind of torch is too large, the flame should be adjustable. If not, you need to upgrade your tools. Do NOT use an ox-acetylene torch, it's too hot, and will melt the copper, regardless of size. By the way, why are you using quarter inch pipe? Standard is half inch. Personally, I like to double the size to 3/4 inch, then neck it down when it gets to the fixtures. Get much better flow that way. At any rate, follow the steps, get a propane torch, and use a small flame. That should do it.
this Poor person is either in the UK or australa, they don,t know the diffrence , of pipe ,tubeing ,or a fraction, We do not use MM WE use fraction,s so put this in the UK or austrula section,
this Poor person is either in the UK or australa, they don,t know the diffrence , of pipe ,tubeing ,or a fraction, We do not use MM WE use fraction,s so put this in the UK or austrula section,
QUARTER INCH? Boy that's small for plumbing. I can't imagine you getting any kind of decent water flow through that. Well, I guess for my answer to be legal I need to address the question: How to solder quarter inch copper. With pipe that small I'd get an electric iron (a big one) or a very heavy duty Weller soldering gun and heat the krap out of the joint. Clean the copper connections first with a good sand paper or wire brush then coat the joining surfaces with flux. Heat the poohp out of it till the silver solder melts into the joint. Hope this helps. '') ADDITIONAL: In order to get good heat transfer from the iron (or gun) apply some solder directly to the iron. Then bring the molten solder into contact with the pipe. That will help heat the copper to the point where the solder will then flow into the joint. DO NOT USE LEAD SOLDER. Lead is poisonous. And even though you're not drinking from it - you don't want to be bathing in poison. '')
QUARTER INCH? Boy that's small for plumbing. I can't imagine you getting any kind of decent water flow through that. Well, I guess for my answer to be legal I need to address the question: How to solder quarter inch copper. With pipe that small I'd get an electric iron (a big one) or a very heavy duty Weller soldering gun and heat the krap out of the joint. Clean the copper connections first with a good sand paper or wire brush then coat the joining surfaces with flux. Heat the poohp out of it till the silver solder melts into the joint. Hope this helps. '') ADDITIONAL: In order to get good heat transfer from the iron (or gun) apply some solder directly to the iron. Then bring the molten solder into contact with the pipe. That will help heat the copper to the point where the solder will then flow into the joint. DO NOT USE LEAD SOLDER. Lead is poisonous. And even though you're not drinking from it - you don't want to be bathing in poison. '')
I use a common propane torch with the adjustable flame. You never want to heat the solder directly anyway. Heat the pipe and fitting, then let the solder flow in naturally. Clean the pieces well, and use soldering flux made for plumbing. I can't imagine what kind of torch is too large, the flame should be adjustable. If not, you need to upgrade your tools. Do NOT use an ox-acetylene torch, it's too hot, and will melt the copper, regardless of size. By the way, why are you using quarter inch pipe? Standard is half inch. Personally, I like to double the size to 3/4 inch, then neck it down when it gets to the fixtures. Get much better flow that way. At any rate, follow the steps, get a propane torch, and use a small flame. That should do it.
