On Mon, 11 May 2009 23:01:41 +0100, David Billington
wrote:

Mawdeeb 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.

Thanks in advance.

Chuck P.

Check with your local plumbing supplier for a brand called ez-sweat by
Watts . These are multi-piece units. The ends screw-off and inside are
copper pieces that look like top-hat bushings. Sweat those on, and
re-assemble and the heat never touches the ball assembly.

I found mine at the box stores initially then ordered them from a real
plumbing supply house when supply got spotty.

Good Luck

Jim Vrzal
Holiday, Fl.
Sounds an alternative to compression fittings. I have a compression ball
valve in the house that I need to replace as it weeps when turned on,
it's about 7 years old. I would be concerned that a soldered valve would
be a PITA when it came time to replace, I just have to turn the water
main off and swap the valve body I think, should be able to reuse the
compression nuts and olives.
Dunno, but maybe I was just plain lucky (or stupid) when I replaced
the kitchen cabinets last fall. I cut off the old valves, cleaned the
pipe and soldered on the new ball valves (two pointing up, one
horizontal), no special technique except to use a "Turbo Torch" fed
from a 20# barbeque tank - I hate the little 14 oz. bottles when doing
serious work.
Gerry :-)}
London, Canada