"Proctologically Violated©®" wrote in message
...
I'm putting a 3/4 sweat fitting OVER 1/2" brass pipe, cuz, well, I think I
have no choice, cuz the brass pipe will be cut, w/ no thread.
The fit is loose, about .020 on radius.
Do you think sweating this is still OK? Solder won't be too weak??
Other choices? Saw the JustforCopper link--might could do that on nice
slip-fits, but doesn't sound suitable for loose joints.

Why don't you "bell" the brass to fit the copper more precisely? A
twenty-thou expansion won't tear the pipe.

Interestingly, HVAC copper A/C piping/joints are brazed, *without* flux!!
They use a funny kind of rod, sort of rectangular, IIRC. Anyone know
about
this??

Yep. A common, "always available" version of that particular silver solder
is available wherever Forney welding supplies are sold. Their brand is
called "SilFlo". It's a totally self-fluxing-on-copper silver solder with
enough copper in it so that the final joint looks almost self-metal welded.
Really, really NICE material to work with on plumbing of all sorts.

A warning though -- SilFlo and other silver solders don't always take on
brass. Bronzes, yes; brasses, not all of them. "Test on a small,
inconspicuous area before applying to visible parts of the garment."

LLoyd