"raden" wrote in message
...
In message , Sparks
writes
Hello people!

We have just has some air conditioning installed at work.
When they wanted to join two pipes together, they used a tool to stretch
one
of the pipes so the other pipe then fitted inside it, then they brazed it.

Can this sort of thing be done for normal copper water pipes for
soldering?

Screwfix sell this
http://www.screwfix.com/app/sfd/cat/pro.jsp?id=15190

Am I correct in thinking this just spreads the very end of the pipe,
rather
than stretching 2cms or so for another pipe to fit inside?
If so, where can I get the appropriate tool, or what is it called so I can
try to find one if they exist!

Err ... you posted a link then asked where you could get what was at that
url

I wasn't sure, as I though a flare was a small (as in a couple of mm)
spread.
The tool they used to connect the A/C pipe to the compressor was indeed a
flaring tool, it had the pipe clamped in a vice type thing, then a cone was
screwed down onto the pipe and did somthing like this to the pipe
http://www.extremecooling.net/pics/1/1/werkzeug/12.jpg
A nut was put on the pipe before flaring, then screwed to a connector like
this on the compressor.
http://images.orgill.com/200x200/1187723.JPG

The tool I am talking about is a swaging tool (I just rememberd the name!)
Rather than just a flared edge, it ended up like this
http://uniweld.com/images/online_cat...07_action3.jpg

I think I have answered my own question now, excpet does the screwfix
flaring tool
http://www.screwfix.com/app/sfd/cat/pro.jsp?id=15190 do swaging too!?

Is ther any disadvantage to doing this?
(Other than the fact that a 15mm coupler is only £0.0636 and a 22mm is only
£0.149!)
(Payback in about 140 22mm fittings - well less, as there is only 1/2 the
amount of solder used!)


When I replaced my boiler, I had one of these tools to hand - whack it
with a hammer - pipe fits inside pipe, job done

No solder!?!

Sparks...