Things You'll Need:
- flux
- plumbing solder
- sandcloth
- propane or mappgas bottle
- torch tip
- clean cotton wrag
- squirt bottle with water
- tubing cutters
- reamer
- tape measure
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Step 1
Measure the copper pipe sizes needed and cut them with a rigid #15 tubing cutter or equal quality tool. Hold the end of one pipe in your left hand and with the reamer in your right hand take the inside burr off the inner edge of the fresh cut. Spin the reamer in a circle to do this. Now ream the other pipe end and sand both ends of pipe to be soldered together. Take the fitting whether it be a 90 , 45 or a tee and make sure it is clean on the inside. Sand it clean to be sure of no leaks.
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Step 2
Now take the flux and use a flux brush to spread it onto the outside of the pipe and redip to spread it on the inside of the fitting. One half and three quarter inch, not too much flux is needed. On one inch and larger, you need to use it more sparingly. Make sure it is spread out evenly and then join the pieces together.
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Step 3
Next, start the torch up and be very careful not to burn anything nearby. Make sure your squirt bottle is right next to you. Take the torch and turn it up to a medium power flame for half and three quarter and full flame for one inch and larger. Keep the tip of the flame about 3 inches away from your work. Move the torch constantly back and forth and keep the flame angled into the fitting. Start at the pipe to get it hot, then move to the cup of the fitting and concentrate the heat there. As it gets hot the solder will run out and boil. Wipe the joint if you can with the clean rag to get all of the hot wet flux off. Be sure to wear cotton jersey gloves to protect your hands. Now apply the solder. Unroll about a six inch section and hold it with the center of the roll in the palm of your hand. Moving the torch back and forth to avoid overheating apply the solder carefully by feeding it into the joints one at a time. Make sure to get the back side of the joint as well as the bottom. You will actually see the solder melt and run inside the cup of the fittings. This is what you want. After it takes the solder pull the torch away and let the joints cool off undisturbed.
When the solder is cool it will dull in color. Congratulations! You have now soldered copper pipe.
