Pro/Forums - View Single Post - Anyone Knowe any good Soldering articles?

EMC2 · 03-11-2002, 09:33 AM

I've used it on the copper water pipes in my house without any problem (other than the fume issue, but then regular flux smells bad to me). When I used it, the copper was precleaned with a scotchbright pad, then wiped off with a rag with alcohol on it to remove any residues. Heating was with a torch, heat applied from the female side of the pipe joint.

You didn't perchance try to use flux with it did you? Or uncleaned copper? (it doesn't work well with tarnished copper for sure, but then most pastes don't, they depend on a fairly clean surface).

For a large mass of copper like a waterblock, a quality silver based paste for brazing would work better. (a brazed joint would not only hold better, but conduct heat better) You can use the eye of a stove for preheating (using a torch to heat that much copper without preheating would be a real biatch).

03-11-2002, 09:33 AM	#23
EMC2 Cooling Savant Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Dark Side of the Moon Posts: 365	I've used it on the copper water pipes in my house without any problem (other than the fume issue, but then regular flux smells bad to me). When I used it, the copper was precleaned with a scotchbright pad, then wiped off with a rag with alcohol on it to remove any residues. Heating was with a torch, heat applied from the female side of the pipe joint. You didn't perchance try to use flux with it did you? Or uncleaned copper? (it doesn't work well with tarnished copper for sure, but then most pastes don't, they depend on a fairly clean surface). For a large mass of copper like a waterblock, a quality silver based paste for brazing would work better. (a brazed joint would not only hold better, but conduct heat better) You can use the eye of a stove for preheating (using a torch to heat that much copper without preheating would be a real biatch).