"Doobielicious" wrote in message
news:kHddk.3355$7%6.261@edtnps82...
I just tried to solder a 1/2 inch copper coupling to a 1/2 inch piece of
pipe. I put soldering paste inside the coupling, gave the 1/2 pipe a good
going over with a file (i didn't have sandpaper) and also put soldering
paste on the 1/2 inch pipe. I inserted the pipe inside the coupling, and
heated the couplign up with a torch. I tried to put solder on the end of
the coupling and the pipe, but the solder didn't go around the coupling to
form a seal. In fact the solder made a complete mess adn I ended up with
clumps of solder in one spot.

What the heck am I doing wrong?


I guess if you didn't have sandpaper, emery cloth, or a wire brush for the
outside of the pipe, you probably didn't clean the inside of the coupling as
well. Get the proper tools and supplies and start over.