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OTHER THBNGS TO
KNOW
SWEAT SOLDERING TIPS
MEASURING PIPE LENGTHS: Always be sure to in-
clude the length of pipe that goes inside the fitting°
On 314 in_ pipe, this length is about 3/4 in.
about 3/,-
engagement
(3/,- pipe)
CUTTING PIPE: Turn the pipe cutter back and forth
around the outside of the pipe. Tighten the pipe cut-
ter slowly with each turn until all the way through the
pipe° To keep from crushing or distorting the pipe,
do not tighten the cutter too much at a time° File burrs
from cut ends,_
CLEAN PIPE AND FITTING SOLDERING SUR-
FACES: With emery cloth, fine sandpaper or steel
wool, clean the end of the pipe and inside of the fit-
ting. Clean surfaces until they shine. Do not grind
off too much material, making the fit too loose.
Wrap nearby, already soldered joints with a wet cloth
so solder does not melt.
Let soldered joints cool slowly. Sudden cooling can
crack or weaken the solder
SOLDERING: Light the torch and set to a moderate
flamen Move the flame over and around the joint to
heat pipe and fitting° In a short time, touch the end
of the solder wire to the lip of the fitting° DO NOT
PLACE SOLDER IN THE FLAME° The solder will
melt and draw into the connection when the pipe and
fitting are at the right temperature. Run the solder
around the lip until the joint is full. Do not overfill as
solder will run into and harden inside the fitting. Be-
ing careful not to touch the pipe with your hands,
make a quick swipe around the joint with a cloth to
take off excess solder.
clean s[jrfaces
thoroughly
CHECK THE FIT: Push the pipe into the fitting as
far as it wilt go_ Use some force to slip together, but
do not hammer or pound,. If too tight, clean surfaces
until fit is good,
PUT ON PASTE FLUX: Freely apply paste flux on
both cleaned surfaces. Place pipe into the fitting and
turn to spread the paste around_
BEFORE SOLDERING, READ THESE SAFETY
GUIDES. (ALSO SEE SAFETY GUIDES, PAGE 4).
A Keep torch flame away from walls, the water
softener, and other materials that will burn_
& Do not touch newly soldered pipe with your hands_
29
For a good sweat solder joint, the pipe and fitting
must not have any water inside them. Water, when
heated by the torch, weakens the solder and often
the joint wi!l leak. If you can not keep the inside of
the pipe dry, wad up a piece of bread into a ball. After
putting paste flux on both the pipe and fitting, place
the bread wad into the pipe and poke in several in-
cheso Put the pipe and fitting together and solder.
The bread absorbs moisture while you are solder-
ing_When the water isturned on, the bread dissolves
and is flushed out an open faucet.
LEAKING CONNECTIONS: You can try to reheat
and resolder a leaking joint, but it's usually best to
start over_ Turn off the water, reheat and take the
pipe and fitting apart. Take off all old solder, clean-
ing down to the copper surface. Apply new paste flux
and solder again,.
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