Soldering copper pipe question...

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Sorry if this is the wrong place to ask, but I figured you guys would know better than anybody.  Anyways, I was soldering a few copper fittings together the other day.  Trying to anyways.  I finally got it to work, but it was a huge hassle.  I was using a torch, flux etc.  But the solder still wanted to run off the fittings.  What's the method to doing this?  I was heating the fittings with the torch and then putting the solder on them.  I think maybe I got the fittings too hot?  I'm better at welding than soldering.  Any advice is appreciated as I have some more copper fittings and pipe to weld up soon for a plumbing project!  Thanks!Matt in OKCLincoln 175HD
Reply:You may have gotten it to hot, did it look "burned"? Taking the flux brush and cleaning the joint will re-clean it and you can then flow the solder.Last edited by Me!; 10-07-2007 at 12:08 AM.Me!
Reply:Copper can get skinned over pretty easily. Always clean it up nice and shiny.
Reply:Clean it up now, nice and shiny! Then some flux to both pieces, heat the female portion and all the way around the joint. Keep solder at the ready because when it gets hot enough, it will suck that solder right into the joint. Add solder all the way around the joint once or twice even. You should see solder spread inbetween the two halves of the joint and just coming out all the way around the joint, then stop with the heat and wipe quickly with a damp rag, again all the way around the joint. Done correctly, it looks great, no solder drips left after wiping! The heat should draw liquified solder deep into the joint until it spills out, then stop with the heat, you're done!!City of L.A. Structural; Manual & Semi-Automatic;"Surely there is a mine for silver, and a place where gold is refined. Iron is taken from the earth, and copper is smelted from ore."Job 28:1,2Lincoln, Miller, Victor & ISV BibleDanny
Reply:Flux will often drip off the joint after it gets hot.  It's not so much like the flux you'd use for brazing.  If the metal is clean, it's fine.  SOmetimes, you will actually see the color of the pipe change as the heat and flux react to clean it.
Reply:I worked for a plummer between jobs for a while..Like stated..Get a round pipe brush for the inside..120 grit sandpaper for the outside..DO NOT TOUCH IT WITH YOUR FINGERS AFTER CLEANING!!!!Add flux and then heat with torch..Start at the top of the joint and let the solder do the work..Its easy.....zap!I am not completely insane..Some parts are missing Professional Driver on a closed course....Do not attempt.Just because I'm a  dumbass don't mean that you can be too.So DON'T try any of this **** l do at home.
Reply:another tip...only put flux where you want solder to stick..which means inside the joint, and on the pipe section that will go in it.I like to use a wet rag to knock off any excess solder and clean it afterwards.You do NEED to remove any remaining flux, as it is an acid and can eat through the solder or pipe and cause a leak down the road.  It will likely take years, but you still don't want it to happen.
Reply:I'll agree with the other and I think you're probably too hot. test the joint often with the solder while heating. Only use enough heat to get the solder to flow nicely.
Reply:Just heat the pipe on one side, hold the solder on the other side.  The pipe melts the solder.  David Real world weldin.  When I grow up I want to be a tig weldor.
Reply:What are you using for a torch?Me!
Reply:Originally Posted by tresiI'll agree with the other and I think you're probably too hot. test the joint often with the solder while heating. Only use enough heat to get the solder to flow nicely.
Reply:fyi... from what i've seen, these guys are saying everything i would, except one thing. heat the pipe at one position and apply your solder 180 degrees from the flame. tanglediver was right when he said the heat will suck the solder. whenever my dad and i have done our plumbing, we've never had a problem (granted he's a contractor) when we do this. i don't know if my dad uses any special positions, but i try to use 3 and 9 o'clock, or flame at 12 and solder at 6. if the solder is going to be at six, remember to bend the solder so your hand is not under the pipe. the running joke at my shop is "third degree burns never hurt anybody". yea... tell that to a boiling bit of flux and solder. i don't know how hot it is exactly, but i know it takes forever to cool down.
Reply:Originally Posted by KC10ChiefSorry if this is the wrong place to ask, but I figured you guys would know better than anybody.  Anyways, I was soldering a few copper fittings together the other day.  Trying to anyways.  I finally got it to work, but it was a huge hassle.  I was using a torch, flux etc.  But the solder still wanted to run off the fittings.  What's the method to doing this?  I was heating the fittings with the torch and then putting the solder on them.  I think maybe I got the fittings too hot?  I'm better at welding than soldering.  Any advice is appreciated as I have some more copper fittings and pipe to weld up soon for a plumbing project!  Thanks!