Phisherman wrote:
On Wed, 27 May 2009 14:14:11 -0400, Ray K
wrote:

I tried disassembling a 1/2" copper elbow from water pipes, using a
propane torch that comes in a $20 Worthington plumbing kit from Lowe's.
The solder wouldn't melt. I'm wondering if the solder used around 1969
had a much higher melting point than what's used today. I did keep the
tip of the blue flame on the elbow, and I tried heating around all sides
of the elbow.

The house is part of a development of 600 or so houses, so I doubt the
builder authorized some expensive, high temperature silver solder.

All the water was drained from the pipe, and the end of the pipe that
supplies cold water to the utility tub faucet was disconnected from the
faucet. The pipe from the faucet to the elbow is 4". The other pipe into
the elbow is about 6 feet long.

Thanks,

Ray


Got to be absolutely sure there is no water in that pipe. Carefully
check your torch head for any solder debris. Use 150 grit strip to
clean the area, brush on a little flux and heat. If you still can not
get it to melt, cut the fitting out with a hack saw or Dremmel being
careful not to damage the pipes.

The torch head was brand new. Your suggestion for applying flux is an
excellent one I hadn't thought of. I noticed that when the plumber was
having trouble soldering a brand new joint on the water heater, even
with his hot acetylene torch, he added extra flux.

He took care of my original problem of a slow leak at one of the unions
feeding the utility-tub faucet by applying pipe dope on the threads.