When sweating or soldering copper pipe, we’ve been asked about using either propane or MAP gas. In truth, both types of fuel will get the job done. The main difference between propane or MAP gas is that the MAP is hotter. What that translates to is you will heat up the pipe quicker allowing you to solder faster.
Can you solder with MAPP gas?
MAPP gas torches burn hotter than propane, making them a better choice for modern solder. Five to 10 seconds of heating with a MAPP gas torch is all that’s required before you can feed solder into most 1/2- to 3/4-in.
What gas do I use to solder copper pipe?
MAPP gas
The torch needed for soldering copper can be propane or MAPP gas (methylacetylene-propadiene propane). MAPP gas comes in a yellow tank and propane comes in a blue tank. MAPP gas, usually a bit more expensive, gets much hotter than propane, so heats the pipe faster.
What is the best way to solder copper pipes?
Quote from the video:
Quote from Youtube video: So always start from the bottom. And work your way up and reason too is as you heat the bottom the heat rises.
Can you solder copper pipe with a propane torch?
Quote from the video:
Quote from Youtube video: Into the fitting when you sweat in the pipe to gala. And also we can use your torch.
How do you solder copper pipe with MAPP gas?
Quote from the video:
Quote from Youtube video: The same way every time and you'll have flawless solder jobs alright. So now we've put flux on both these cleaned. Parts. And just put them together. And that's all you got to do.
Can you sweat pipes with MAPP gas?
When sweating or soldering copper pipe, we’ve been asked about using either propane or MAP gas. In truth, both types of fuel will get the job done.
Which solder is best for joining copper tubing?
Buy lead-free solder that’s designed for copper water pipes; you’ll find it in the plumbing section of the store. Solder with lead is still available, but the lead can leach into your water supply, so don’t use it.
Can you braze copper with MAPP gas?
We use MAPP gas with a shield attached it is quite good up to 7/8 copper tube only and the braze joint needs to be away from any large mass of metal as the heat can be drawn away just as fast as you apply it.
Why do plumbers use bread?
Grab a piece of white bread and shove it down as far as you can inside the pipe. The bread will stop the leak while you solder the fitting and will then (eventually) dissolve inside the pipe.
Is MAPP gas hotter than propane?
MAP-Pro gas burns at a temperature of 3,730 degrees Fahrenheit, while propane burns at 3,600 F. Because it heats copper faster and to a higher temperature, MAP-Pro gas is a superior alternative to propane for soldering.
How do you solder copper pipe without flame?
Quote from the video:
Quote from Youtube video: Together we heat it up using one of these torches. Then we heat the fitting up up to a lovely hot temperature tap our solder on it.
Can you use normal solder on copper pipe?
Safety Tip: Never use leaded solder on copper pipes that carry potable water. If you must solder a hole in copper pipe as a repair, here’s how: Follow the steps above to clean and prep your pipe. Apply flux around the hole.
Is soldering going to be illegal plumbing?
State law prohibits the introduction into commerce of any solder or flux that is not “lead free” unless the solder or flux bears a label stating that it is illegal to use the solder or flux in the installation or repair of any plumbing providing water for human consumption.
Can you overheat copper pipe when soldering?
If the metal being joined is too cool or too hot, tinning cannot occur. Overheating is a major problem when brazing or soldering copper pipe because the flux will burn (become oxidized), stop working, and become a barrier to tinning.
Can I solder copper pipe without flux?
If there really was no flux then you have a “cold” solder joint. The solder may stick in spots but it will not have “wicked” into the “sweat” joint properly and will not completely seal the joint.
How do you use Vaseline as flux?
Quote from the video:
Quote from Youtube video: This way when we add the iron on top of it it'll spread the vaseline around and evenly heat the metal contact.
What can I use as a substitute for flux when soldering?
Quote from the video:
Quote from Youtube video: Water-soluble you don't have to clean it with rubbing alcohol or any other type of chemicals to remove rosin flux you can just wipe away the excess. Using a q-tip with warm water.
Can you use electrical solder for plumbing?
Deteriorated wiring may cause the connection to fail. Electrical shorts or even fire may result. Making the opposite switch—substituting electrical solder to join plumbing pipes—is now illegal in many areas of the country. Electrical solder is commonly a 60/40 blend of lead and tin.
What type of solder do plumbers use?
Acid core solders are most often used in plumbing applications to join metal pipes or sheet metal. Rosin core solder is also fabricated with a hollow core inside the solder wire, but the flux used is a milder variety made of rosin, which is a solid form of resin derived from conifers such as pine.
Is there a difference between electrical solder and plumbing solder?
Electrical solders have a lower melting point (around 360 ˚F), while solders utilized in plumbing have higher melting points, usually well over 400 ˚F. This is why electrical soldering can be done using a soldering iron while a lot of pipes soldering utilizes a gas torch to heat up the metals.
