Have you sweated copper? What is the #1 key to a successful sweat?

Answer 1

Clean, Clean, and re-Clean both parts. If in doubt, clean them again. I use a wire brush or sand paper. them off with a CLEAN, DRY rag. (NOT a Tach Cloth)

Put flux on both to cover and assemble the joint.
Heat moderately and evenly. Not too fast, not too slow.
Touch solder to the joint as you heat it, when the solder melts, sweat the joint and quit. Walk away and let it cool.

If you overheat it you'll evaporate the flux and the joint will fail. If the joint fails there's no easy way to fix it. Heat it enough to pull apart and start from the word CLEAN.

Answer 2

Make sure everything is CLEAN. Add enough flux to coat both fittings and heat it up just till it melts. Slide the fitting together and heat until the solder flows inside the fitting. Cool immediately before allowing the joint to move.

Answer 3

it particularly is impossible to sweat copper pipe with water in it. you will would desire to close the closest valve to close off water the place you're working. If the priority is as a results of a slow trickle of water even while the valve is closed, I particularly have heard of wadding up bread crumbs (no longer the crust) right into a ball and pushing it back into the water source area of the pipe. this might end the water from interfering which comprise your artwork and could dissolve as quickly as the water is grew to become back on. desire this allows.

Answer 4

I have sweated peanut butter sandwiched between two very round people on the bus.

Answer 5

Both fittings have to be clean..no fingerprints..enough flux..enough heat..thats all

Answer 6

make sure the flux isnt old... i tried for hours my first time with bad(old) flux, got new flux and it worked the first time....