On Mon, 11 May 2009 11:08:00 -0700, JR North
wrote:
Pilgrim wrote:

What do I need to know and what precautions do i need to take to sweat
solder a 1/4 turn ball valve in 3/4" Cu pipe? The ball turns in a
plastic seat that looks like teflon.

Heat the pipe only, and prep the joint for best possible wicking. As
soon as the solder flows, remove the heat and pour cold water on the valve.

He's going to get a cold solder joint and a leak if he does that...

You have to wait a bit for the solder to properly cool a bit and
solidify or crystallize - you can use a spray bottle set to Mist and
just a bit of water - give a quick spritz and let it cool a few
seconds, then another little squirt, another ten seonds.

Once it gets down below the 'instant flash into steam' stage and into
the 'drops sizzle when sprayed' stage THEN you can hit it hard with
the water to cool it down the rest of the way.

If you take the handle off, make sure the valve is aligned right
before you sweat it in. No fun when the handle hits something and
can't make the full 90-degree arc, then you have to either heat it up
again and adjust it, or modify the handle.

-- Bruce --