On Wed, 24 Sep 2003 21:13:07 +0100, Mark S. wrote:

I've had a bit more practise at this soldering malarky. Ok on all the
easy bits like the cleaning the parts, fluxing etc. but can't get the
hang of how quick or long to heat the bits and when/where to apply the
solder?
Any pointers would be appreciated.

You seem to have got the hang of it judging by pipe03. In addition to others
advice, here's a bit more...

Since the pipe has a much larger mass to heat than the fitting, you should
heat the pipe first, and when up to temperature move the flame onto the
coupling. It won't need much heat as conduction from the pipe will have it
almost hot enough already. "Hot enough" is when you can melt the solder wire
by touching it on the hot copper, but not actually in the flame. If the flame
goes green, that is much too hot, and will probably make a bad joint.

To solder one end of a coupling to one pipe whilst keeping a free end of the
coupling unsoldered, try this... Take a well oxidised pipe offcut with no flux
on it, and don't clean or flux the end of the fitting you want to preserve.
Put the offcut into the fitting as a cold sink, and solder up the other end
only. If you can make a good joint one end and still remove the dummy pipe
afterwards, your technique must be about right.

--
Phil Addison
The uk.d-i-y FAQ is at http://www.diyfaq.org.uk/
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