Soldering 28mm

[bsr]

Good Evening

I have to solder a couple of fittings onto 28mm copper, vertical pipe. Will my propane torch be OK and are there are special tips for the larger pipe?

Thanks

bsr

 

[oldbuffer]

1.Propane should be enough for 28 mm pipes, provided you are reasonably proficient at soldering.
2. If you find it tricky, you could try using MAPP gas, which gives a hotter flame. However, if using, be careful not to burn the flus out of the joints.
3. No idea what torch you are using, but if something like a Rothenberger Surefire 2, the standard burner nozzle will be sufficient.

 

[bsr]

Thanks. I've got an old one of these (albeit without the fancy case):
https://www.machinemart.co.uk/p/fs555-gas-torch-kit/

I've heard of MAPP but never bought it as I've read it's too powerful for DIYers and likely to overheat the joint. I'd rather not spend a load of money on a new torch and gas when I'll probably never have to solder 28mm again! If necessary I've got two torches so I could always heat the joint using both.

As you can see the kit has a "pipe burner" attachment. I've never used it - has anyone else and are they a good idea?

 

[oldbuffer]

1. That's designed for a standard "barbecue" type propane gas bottle. The regulator won't fit a MAPP cylinder, and the burner may not be suitable anyway.
2. You're stuck with using propane, but I'd have thought that torch was up to the job.
3. I've never used that type of "pipe burner" attachment.
4. As heat rises I'd pre-heat the lower joint and tee branch (if any) first, pre-heat the top branch, bring the bottom (and tee) up to temperature and solder then finish off with the top branch. Normally I'd do it the other way round to stop the upper joint running into the lower, but with limited heat input you may want to maximise what you have.

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

As you can see the kit has a "pipe burner" attachment. I've never used it - has anyone else and are they a good idea?

They concentrate the heat around the pipe, but will it be a wide enough mouth for 28mm?

Maybe practise on a scrap bit of pipe first?

 

[oldbutnotdead]

That torch will be plenty for 28mm (had to do a load on the wet side of the woodburner). Same as 22 and 15- bring the area up to temp slowly so the joint starts flowing all the way round rather than 1 side hotspotting.

 

[bsr]

Thanks for your help, it was absolutely fine. Only took 15 seconds to heat the joint. The only thing I did differently was to touch the solder to the joint in several places as I didn't instantly get the silver line all the way round like I do with 15mm.