Soldering question
Comments
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I have found i have to really crank them down but they work ok.EBEBRATT-Ed said:They solder fine but I usually get a leak at the threaded nut so I end up doping it or using teflon tape on it which I hate doing.
Maybe it's just me and my bad luck. Others don't seem to complain0 -
Union companion nuts are thin walled and because of that we're careful how we attach a wrench - always on the rear to avoid pinching the nut out of round - we do the same with metal tubular plumbing slip joint nuts.
We solder, especially the new alloy Uponor adaptors, by heating the tubing first, and from two directions. On vertical joints, after preheating, we wipe any extra flux from the tubing; it helps prevent molten solder from running down a flux trail. We always wipe the solidified joint with a clean dry rag while it is still warm to remove excess flux, and then lightly polish each joint with a slightly abrasive pad.0 -
There are better copper unions, Caleffi has variations with forged nuts, that use a gasket form the seal. Also some unions with integral checks. Those copper unions us a taper for a seal, a speck of dirt, solder, or any misalignment and they are hard to seal..
If you do a lot on unions it is worth looking into a flare nut wrench like this. It doesn't distort the soft brass or copper nuts so much when you tighten them.
This wrench fits most hydronic manifold nuts and TRV union nuts.Bob "hot rod" Rohr
trainer for Caleffi NA
Living the hydronic dream1 -
These are Elkhart from Supplyhouse.
I've used them multiple times over the years and never had a leaker yet. That could change soon I suppose...Single pipe quasi-vapor system. Typical operating pressure 0.14 - 0.43 oz. EcoSteam ES-20 Advanced Control for Residential Steam boilers. Rectorseal Steamaster water treatment0 -
@ChrisJ
Elkhart may be fine.
The supply houses here usually are all Nibco. Nibco makes a union similar to the ones you have and I could seldom tighten one of them and not have it leak. Nibco also make a heavier brass union and they are pretty good.
My other favorite trick is to use too much solder and solder the union together Although I have cured myself of that.
2" copper=2" of solder, 1" copper=1" of solder.
I am sure I am not the only one that violates that rule0 -
I've soldered a fair share of copper unions together also, makes them 100% leak free.EBEBRATT-Ed said:@ChrisJ
Elkhart may be fine.
The supply houses here usually are all Nibco. Nibco makes a union similar to the ones you have and I could seldom tighten one of them and not have it leak. Nibco also make a heavier brass union and they are pretty good.
My other favorite trick is to use too much solder and solder the union together Although I have cured myself of that.
2" copper=2" of solder, 1" copper=1" of solder.
I am sure I am not the only one that violates that rule
Bigger question, do you really need a union? Very easy to cut and couple copper tube should a repair or replacement ever be required
Copper unions I put in the same category as dielectric unions, don't waste your time and money.
Bob "hot rod" Rohr
trainer for Caleffi NA
Living the hydronic dream0 -
@hot_rod
I agree and I think most feel that way. But there are circumstances where unions are nice......if they don't leak.1 -
I have small flare nut wrenches for mostly automotive tubing but didn't think about there being bigger versions.
I'm not sure I'd want to find out a copper union has a gasket in it when I'm trying to make an emergency repair late some weekend night.0 -
> @hot_rod said:
> (Quote)
> I've soldered a fair share of copper unions together also, makes them 100% leak free.
>
> Bigger question, do you really need a union? Very easy to cut and couple copper tube should a repair or replacement ever be required
>
> Copper unions I put in the same category as dielectric unions, don't waste your time and money.
Their going on each side of my Taco 006. So not really, but it could help one day.Single pipe quasi-vapor system. Typical operating pressure 0.14 - 0.43 oz. EcoSteam ES-20 Advanced Control for Residential Steam boilers. Rectorseal Steamaster water treatment0 -
Is anybody else using these to clean pipes for soldering?
https://www.supplyhouse.com/3M-7447-PRO-Scotch-Brite-General-Purpose-Pro-Hand-Pads-20-box
They're better than steel wool, and they don't leave splinters.Just another DIYer | King of Prussia, PA
1983(?) Peerless G-561-W-S | 3" drop header, CG400-1090, VXT-240 -
I only use open mesh sand cloth. I like to be able to clean the pipe by using a technique like buffing shoes. Using pads and the like puts too much strain on my wrists, and I can get a lot more done with the sand cloth.Hap_Hazzard said:Is anybody else using these to clean pipes for soldering?
https://www.supplyhouse.com/3M-7447-PRO-Scotch-Brite-General-Purpose-Pro-Hand-Pads-20-box
They're better than steel wool, and they don't leave splinters.
Rick1 -
on old or really dirty tube, open mesh works well, and last longest. Bright color helps in dark crawlspaces
These glove both clean the tube easily, protect from hot surfaces, and let you flick any drips off the solder.Bob "hot rod" Rohr
trainer for Caleffi NA
Living the hydronic dream0 -
Open mesh, hundred foot roll or whatever it is, I can’t imagine using anything else
HR is right, I cannot believe how many times I lose a strip on a single job. But I find them at the end of the day.0 -
I like the mesh too, but i mostly use it on my lathes. I like the ScotchBrite for cleaning metal without removing too much material.Just another DIYer | King of Prussia, PA
1983(?) Peerless G-561-W-S | 3" drop header, CG400-1090, VXT-240 -
> @Hap_Hazzard said:
> I like the mesh too, but i mostly use it on my lathes. I like the ScotchBrite for cleaning metal without removing too much material.
If you don't mind me asking, what do you do for a living?Single pipe quasi-vapor system. Typical operating pressure 0.14 - 0.43 oz. EcoSteam ES-20 Advanced Control for Residential Steam boilers. Rectorseal Steamaster water treatment0 -
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Side note, a unibit does a great job of reaming pipe and tube.
I like the inside brushes with the hex that go in a driver.
I have issues with tendonitis in my arms and can't grip reamers and brushes and similar small things for very long0 -
You certainly don't want to use the older Whirspo Pex Expander I have then. I haven't tried 1" yet but 3/4" is lots of fun.........mattmia2 said:Side note, a unibit does a great job of reaming pipe and tube.
I like the inside brushes with the hex that go in a driver.
I have issues with tendonitis in my arms and can't grip reamers and brushes and similar small things for very longSingle pipe quasi-vapor system. Typical operating pressure 0.14 - 0.43 oz. EcoSteam ES-20 Advanced Control for Residential Steam boilers. Rectorseal Steamaster water treatment0 -
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1/2" is fine, but 3/4 starts making you think who designed the torture device....mattmia2 said:I have a I'm knockoff and was using 1". That day I had to make 10 joints I almost didn't make it. 1/2 is fine though.
Single pipe quasi-vapor system. Typical operating pressure 0.14 - 0.43 oz. EcoSteam ES-20 Advanced Control for Residential Steam boilers. Rectorseal Steamaster water treatment0 -
I have one of these Mil-Rose kits, handy with a cordless drill, just don't overspeed themBob "hot rod" Rohr
trainer for Caleffi NA
Living the hydronic dream1 -
@hot_rod I sent you a friend request.
You can delete it or ignore it if you want but I'd rather you didn't.Single pipe quasi-vapor system. Typical operating pressure 0.14 - 0.43 oz. EcoSteam ES-20 Advanced Control for Residential Steam boilers. Rectorseal Steamaster water treatment0 -
I reuse copper fittings on my own projects all the time. I bought this reducing tee 35 years ago, used it 60 times
A hole saw in a drill cleans the solder out of the inside.
Soak it in some boiler condensate water to clean the outside.Bob "hot rod" Rohr
trainer for Caleffi NA
Living the hydronic dream2 -
A couple tools I have always wanted for cleaning old copper for my art projectsBob "hot rod" Rohr
trainer for Caleffi NA
Living the hydronic dream1 -
i never thought about a hole saw, i always used a round file and and heating and whacking on the bench and swearing0
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I like the round wood blocks too.0
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My old boss was pretty cheap. A friend of his let him strip all the old copper out of a house they were tearing down.
He had a ton of 1/2 & 3/4 copper elbows...the old cast brass type and he would reuse them.
He would heat them up and slap them on a pipe without adding any solder "it's got enough solder in them already" he would say. Worked for him.
Me, not so much1 -
yeah, that's gonna tin the whole surface of the pipe...0
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I'm happySingle pipe quasi-vapor system. Typical operating pressure 0.14 - 0.43 oz. EcoSteam ES-20 Advanced Control for Residential Steam boilers. Rectorseal Steamaster water treatment2
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Wait, there were 3 pages on sweating 2 stops?0
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He said he’s happy what, more do you want.2
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> @mattmia2 said:
> Wait, there were 3 pages on sweating 2 stops?
Not that I know of.
Did you read the other pages?Single pipe quasi-vapor system. Typical operating pressure 0.14 - 0.43 oz. EcoSteam ES-20 Advanced Control for Residential Steam boilers. Rectorseal Steamaster water treatment0 -
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