Mistakes Apprentice Plumbers ALWAYS Make When Soldering
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- čas přidán 31. 05. 2020
- Soldering copper pipe is VERY common in plumbing. During your plumbing apprenticeship you'll have to learn about soldering. Soldering scares a lot of plumbers, but it really shouldn't. With a little practice, learning to solder copper pipe become very easy very quickly. In this video I'm going to tell you some of the common mistakes apprentice plumbers make when learning to solder. Hopefully this helps you in your plumbing career!
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Thanks for watching! I'm Roger Wakefield, LEED AP, The Expert Plumber and welcome to my channel. On this channel I teach homeowners how to save money on their plumbing by doing DIY plumbing projects. I also teach plumbers and plumbing company owners how to be the best plumbers in their area and run successful plumbing businesses. My goal is teach you everything you need to know about plumbing.
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Roger reminds me of that older guy you'd meet at a work place who'd be knowledgeable AF who'd always help you.
I never did like that guy.
@@chriswebster24 why though? The faster way to learn something is to have someone teach you. I guess it depends on your lifestyle and what you want out of life... but if you want to succeed you should always seek out better methods of doing something. Not because it makes you better at that task but it improves upon your skill set over all and its up to you what you want :)
Dude this is like dead accurate 😂🤣 I love this guy he’s very knowledgeable
Those types of guys are hard to come across. But it’s awesome when you find one.
“Reminds me of” literally what he is lol
I’m a first year apprentice doing mostly new builds and some service. The licensed guy I work with lets me do all the soldering which has been really beneficial in my progression. I’ve made a few mistakes but my joints have gotten a lot more clean in the last few months especially. Feeling confident and excited when I go to work. I really enjoy your videos and I appreciate the tips as always!
How's your apprenticeship going? I'm a first year.
Yeah how’s it coming along ?
All aspects of treatment to a soldier joint is imperative. For beginners I would suggest that you use a marker pen and mark your pipe back the distance of your pipe size, 1/2" for 1/2" pipe etc. Over the years I have found where someone possibly new in the field had made a solder joint that was only holding by 1/16 th to 1/8", a good vibration could have made the joint come loose resulting in major water damage.
Always ream your pipe, an un reamed joint will cause the water to swirl and wear the joint causing it to leak. This is especially true with 90° elbows.
As superintendent on an 8 story condo the plumbing contractors plumbers failed to ream the pipes. They were finishing up the 8th floor rough-in when a HUD inspector decided to have a few joints taken apart for inspection. When he seen that the sections taken apart were not reamed the PC was required to start all over from the 1st floor up remove each joint and ream each piece of pipe or make sure that it was reamed. Had to place an observer at each plumbers work area to make sure the pipes were reamed. This story is meant for those just starting out in the trade or who is a DIY'er.
Excellent! Thank You!
YES PLEASE ROGER, give us a video on silver soldering. Great video!!! Keep up the good work.
Yes please. 🙏🏻🙏🏽🙏🏾🙏🏿
The American Copper institute recommends starting out on the bottom of your joint in this position, working up the side , building a fillet of solder up to the top. Repeat on the other side, lapping over on the top. This applies for all sizes of pipe.
Roger Yes! Please do a video on Brazing! 2.5 years in the trade down here in FL. I love your videos. Always something to learn, even on these “fundamental” videos.
Normally I would put a level on this.... Matter of fact I'm going to go ahead and do that.
That's when you know you're used to doing it right and it messes with you to do it wrong.
Love your videos Mr Wakefield.
Hey man iv been an Apprentice for about a year. I love this work! I love you channel! At first I got put with a lot of different plumbers. In some cases I was more knolageable than my tech. So being able to watch to u do things the right way has been awesome! I love what your doing! I love plumbing! Can't wait for that 100 an hour lol! I work In SC In an open shop. Iv moved up really quickly and I'm really good at this kind of work! I study everyday for my tests and one day hopefully I'll be as skilled as you!
Love the cleaning at the end. Dont be messy, have pride! Wipe that flux off after. Makes the joint look so good!
Or you could just not point the torch at your hand
It's more than just the joint looking good. Leaving flux behind corrodes the pipe which is why it turns green. It can cause leaks over time as the attack weakens the copper. Leaving flux behind causes leaky pipes and broken/open wiring faults. It's critically important to clean the flux off every single time!
new plumber here (2 years) loving all the tools and tips from this channel so far!
Never will I ever need to know any of this or use it but I just love watching your videos and how informative you are! 😊definitely would love to see more of these
I do minor plumbing at my own house. Your videos have helped me do a better job and make it look good and I know it will last. Thank you so much for the videos.
Danger danger, Lord Robinson! 🤣
Love the tip about bending the length of solder according to the diameter of pipe. Noobs (like me) always put down too much solder.
I’ve watched a bunch of your videos you have helped me a lot I am a residential service plumber in California and I very much appreciate what you do with these videos
Great video! I needed a refresher on soldering and this certainly helped. I'll be sharing that with our tech ed kids. Thank you! Yes, please do more videos and silver soldering for sure!
Your instructional videos have helped so much with my diy home repairs. This video helped with my technique for replacing a 1970’s hose bib that was soldered directly to a copper pipe! Keep up the great work!
Great video Roger. My soldering skills are good. But the tips you shared in this video will be a big help for me. If you could put together a video on brazing that would be appreciated. Thanks for all you do.
Roger, I've been watching a half-dozen or so videos this evening on how to solder copper pipe, because I figure the more advice the better. Your video is one of the best, and I learned several things from it that nobody else mentioned, including the different abrasives and the "3/4 inch of solder for 3/4 inch of pipe" rule of thumb.
Also, thank you for not repeating the "heat from the bottom because heat rises" nonsense that several other videos said. Hot AIR rises, sure, but heat doesn't rise in copper; it spreads all directions. The good reason I heard for starting at the bottom is that if the top is hotter, the solder will run down from the top and then have nowhere to go that's hot enough.
Love hearing you watched several other videos! I'm glad you liked mine thanks for watching
That's a beautiful solder joint no dripping nothing left there! Top notch man
Awesome video. It's mind blowing to me that simple things like this get skipped all the time.
No better way to solder. Love teaching the new generation to solder cause you can't press everything. Love the video brother.
Press or die 😂😂jk. I know how to solder I’m just a new plumber and I prefer to press the og way just takes to long and has way more steps but like you said your not going to be able to sweat everything, also a buddy of mine came up with the press or die ! It just seemed fitting
I meant press not sweat
@@jdcisneros9023 lol love it🤣🤣🤣
Excellent instruction! The most common problem I see on other people's joints is too much heat and too much solder. They just don't know when to quit.
No reaming??? That's very important.
Julio Zuniga
you are correct. We did ream the pipe with the reamer on the #Ridgid 15 Cutters when we cut the pipe. This video was really just about making the solder joint based on questions that we have been getting. You are 100% correct, reaming the pipe is very important!
@@RogerWakefield I just said something because of someone that never done this before watched, as a tutorial, might not think it's necessary, I love your videos. Getting from Union strong Local 140, Salt Lake City, Utah.
J.Z., some times I even reem my fittings!
this day and age, with crimp fitting as well some manufacturers say not to ream. old trick was to when using pipe cutters not to cut all the way through and snap that last part so you don't have to ream.
@420danksta420 never had a problem.
Hey Roger, I’m a fire sprinkler fitter from PA and I’d like to see you do a video on brazing copper.
I would love to hear more about silver soldering and brazing!
Me too :)
Yes Mr Rogers I really need your plumbing classes.... you are really an expert in Plumbing....I like Plumbing since was a kid
Good stuff. All your knowledge is a gift !
Thank You
I would definitely like a tutorial on brazing. I did some 2 1/2” on a water line, it seems like it held up haha. But I want more knowledge on it, thanks.
Joe lefebvre with Valor plumbing. I’m helping you currently in Texas. I like the trick of folding over 3/4 of solder for 3/4. Honestly I’ve always used a little extra just to cover my butt on the fitting. I’d rather not have to go back. I love your videos. It’s a pleasure to be here from vt. Working with you and your company
After soldering so much throughout my life, its come down to feel for me. I can use the torch and adjust it mid heat to have it perfect for what im trying to do. I can add solder to 1 spot with it just cool enough so it doesn't run and then heat it hotter so it runs through the fitting, using the heat to control the solder so I can make a perfect looking soldered joint. Its very satisfying for me to have a perfect looking soldered joint!
Thank you for your video ive always been wanting to learn how to solder, ive got a progect that im needing to take care of with a faccet in the back yard and your video realy helped looking forwad to seeing the next one.
Channels like this are neat.
Not only do i have fun watching theese videos but i also learn something useful.
Great example im in trade school and your tips helped thank you I got a great respect for all the trade skills.
YES PLEASE ROGER, give us a video on silver soldering.
That is good teaching. Thank you for expertise on soldering and braising.
You bet, thanks for watching!
Nice video! Just learning how to do this.
Thanks for the video. Very good information
Thank you Roger for the video.
You bet, hopefully this solved your problem
My first solder job at my house last month was a success because of your helpful video. I had to put in a new 3/4" main water supply shutoff valve. I also rebuilt several water shutoff valves (icemaker and two commodes) with the Home Depot kits made by Brasscraft.
Great job! That's an awesome feeling isnt it? 😎💪🏽
@@RogerWakefield yes and thanks again.
yes i used it almost 2 years in my plumbing school in canada that is a great tool.than you.
Thank you Roger good thorough lesson. I'm looking for any additional information about the fluxes, and to know if there's a difference between applying flux and "tinning". Are they the same?
Great video, I learned something new!
Yes I want to learn how to braze I’m starting my own business thanks your amazing
I was taught Never Never flux the inside of a fitting. Much of my work had to be very clean inside, process piping, ...
I was also taught the first rule of soldering when you think it’s clean enough, clean it again!
Always flux the inside doesnt matter who told you what to do. Its like only cementing one side of the abs and not doing the other side, sure it works but you'll have issues sooner then you think. Same applies too copper, both the inside and out. Equal clean and makes the solder grab more effectively.
@@f3arful the flux will very often contaminate closed loop system, and provide limited if any benefits, if the joints are cleaned properly. My leak rate is near 0.
If your pipe and fittings are only clean enough Clean Them Again!! This is the #1 rule in fitting copper
I am a 40+ year tech, yes I’m that obnoxious old guy
Great information for a beginner to learn!!
This man make sure to tell us the truth thank you man 💪
Great Video, thanks!
Roger soldered that joint very nicely and neat
I enjoy learning thru others experience. Thank You. Review of silver solder would be interesting.
Great video roger!
Hey Roger 👋🏾 I graduated from High school yesterday and thinking about going into a plumbing apprenticeship here in LA at Local 78, but I don’t have a driver license yet. Would you recommend that I take a couple of months to get my license and go back and see if they are accepting applicants or look for mom and pop plumbing shops here in my town and start off as a helper there ? Also by the way, your videos really comfort people in these hard times man, keep it up!!
Can you use the emery cloth paper rolled up to clean the inside of the fitting if you don't have one of those brushes onhand? You should have also mentioned to everyone if they are trying to solder water valves onto the pipe that they need to remove the valve stem components and all the rubber pieces so the heat doesn't melt them.
Woo … thanks a lot sir
This is helpful and very useful information
Our instructor had this guy on the big screen talking about underground copper repairs. It seems plumbing god, Roger and ol chuck Barron are the popular plumbers
I have put in a bunch of Med Gas lines in Hospitals. Stopped doing it and let my cert. expire but i enjoyed it. You should do a silver soldering video and show the nitrogen purge process. Im sure people would like to see what that does for the inside of the pipe considering the heat it takes for silver...Thanks
Left nothing out!! I am impressed, I thought you were here to sell a course, I was wrong great video 👏👏
I am not a salesman…I’m a plumber 👨🏻🔧 glad you liked it
I love ur videos dude...they teach me so much
Thank for all the tips it helped me become a plumber
I love that! Thanks Everett!
Good job 👍
I’d love to learn more about brazing pipe.
Love you channel. You are like the Dave Ramsey of plumbing.
Matthew Tang
I love Dave Ramsey
I try to sand that patina off equidistantly from the cup end, I also apply a thin layer of flux on the outside wall to prevent any discoloration from oxidation, especially if I'm fighting water.
Show us about soldering copper pipe to brass. I know and I have done it many times but still would like to see the pro do it. Maybe I can learn a thing or two. Thanks Roger.
I just soldered 120ft line of copper a couple weeks ago from the water feed to the boiler. Not a straight line either so it wasn't the easiest. But I got better the more I pieced and soldered together.
I was plumbing and fitting for about 10 years before I learned the tape trick . Works very well .
What's the tape trick?
What's the tape trick?
@@joshuagriffiths7947 you use your tape measure to hold the pipe in place unyil u soldier it .
well put
Please! That would be great! Thanks
DIY here... Yes... all this plumbing stuff really interests me and I'm trying to learn
Just like Alex Rochon! PLEASE! YES! What could be a better source to learn Silver Soldering/Braze on CZcams?!
Great explanation. Could have shown what a dirty or a cold joint looks like when the solder beads up like water on a freshly waxed car. Desolder a joint and show how the solder does and doesn't covers the surfaces. Just a thought. CHEERS
A good illustration I've seen is when they cut a cross section to show the penetration and such.
When I was taking my plumbing license I held my torch on the copper and almost failed so I say always pull your torch away from the pipe and then flow your solder and what if there is water in the pipes that is a hole nother problem u should do a vlog for that thank u for your time sir I really appreciate it
There are so many ways to attack this problem of water in the pipe. I use a vacuum a lot to get all the water out. You can also use...lol.... some bread, that is something a old plumber taught me. Once the solder joint is done you can turn on the water and flush it out of the pipe. The bread breaks down and comes right out. You could also disconnect the meter. But I use a vacuum the most. If the water keeps coming out after using the vacuum you could time it to see if you have enough time to solder a valve in to control it. Hope this helps. But that bread trick blew my mind when I saw it work.👍👍🤣🤣🤣🤣
Yes sir Mr Johnson.....never over heat.... you'll burn the flux
@@oldironsides3992 if you have a vertical standing pipe that has water, you can also take a straw, dip it in the water, put your thumb over the top of the straw and pull the straw out, then release your thumb allowing the water to out. You're essentially turning a straw into a pipet. You only need to remove enough water to it doesn't keep that section of pipe cool where you're trying to heat it.
I usually have the helper wipe everything down with a wet rag after it cools to make sure we get all left over flux off and just make the copper lines look good. Out in Vegas in the summer it’s way to easy to use to much flux.
Your presentation of soldering the pipe is so professional. I would like to know what kind of torch you're using during the video. because I'm using Bernzomatic TS8000KC Premium Torch that seem to be the fire is too strong.
The matching gloves and glasses tell me you've polished allot of pipe in your day!
Yes I would definitely like to learn silver solder
Thanks!
I dig the use of the tape as a support.
Great video please explain different flux at the depot they have regular and tinning flux .
My dad taught me this when I was a kid and we were building our house. I did then most of the soldering. No leaks in the last 20 years... ;)
Pls do a video for silver soldering, luv ur vids
thanks !
Go for it Roger silver solder
Would definitely like a run through with braising
Hey Roger Great video !!! one question what will you recommend for soldering 1"1/4 copper ? that woukd helpme alot!! thank you so muchhh
Please Mr. Wakefield do a video on silver soldering/brazing. I can do it but my welds are ugly.
GOOD JOB
I'm a sparky and I love your channel
Id like a video about silver soldering never been able to do that before.
We've done it. It's in here someplace...
Should also mention that you want the fitting and the pipe hot enough to melt the solder and it is not the flame that melts the solder and you just lay the melt solder on the joint.
Indeed. It seems to me he's made THE mistake - which is to heat the fitting instead of the pipes. He gets away with it here in this simple setting, but in real situations in my experience the pipes can stay below solder melt temperature (even if the fitting is starting to glow!) causing a dry joint. Of course, you want the flame on the fitting as the solder flows but I like to get the pipes to solder melt temperature first. I've never had a failed joint.
I agree that you really don't want to melt the solder with the flame!
I use an IR thermometer a lot these days e.g. for surface mount electronics soldering and reshaping car bumpers. Getting the temperatures consistently right really ups the quality of your work. I don't know whether you could use it on copper pipe - I doubt it, but I might try.
I want to learn, please do more
Yes do a video on silver soldering and congrats to buck
I like using the scotch brite pads, especially after soldering I use them to clean all the flux and residue off the outside of the joint and then I wipe it all down with a wet rag.
don't sand it after the solder... lol it might look nice but you can create holes in the solder
@@joeh858 scotch brite pads don't sand the metal down, they only remove the residue from the surface
@@wcsd9577 It's abrasive. If it didn't, then it wouldn't clean the copper. And solder is softer than copper.
@@joeh858 What's your point? Everything is abrasive. You scrub the gunk off and be done with it, not spend all day trying to sand through metal
@@wcsd9577 So just use a towel.
Here in Florida where I’m at we don’t use silver really. I heard in Texas y’all have to use it under slabs
You are correct and now some city's are ok with propress under the slab. But I still use silver.
Well I learned somthing very interesting today
I was going to install 2 sharkbites behind my shower until I saw your video about them so I’m learning to solder 👍🏻
Dear Roger
What are your thoughts on applying flux at the end to clean the fiitting?
Nice video! Show us how to braze please!
What is the difference between the different types of flux. I always see a bunch of differnt ones but never knew the difference.
A plumbing apprenticeship? Ha. You’re really fortunate if you can land one. I tried for years; totally aced all the tests. Have a journeyman card in another trade and plumbed my own houses to code and all passed inspection. Seems like unless your daddy is one, you’re a minority, or woman you’re SOL . . . or you can work for a plumber for 3 years before you even get to start your apprenticeship as a “helper” for minimum wage. It’s easier to get into Medical School. Good demonstration though. That’s how I do it. Never had a leak. Cleaning the flux off when finished is important.
Where I live it's tough looking for a good apprenticeship program, I've been working as a helper for my trade teacher for 3 months so I have been learning but I just really want to start an apprenticeship soon but everyone wants a 4th year apprentice here
I’m 20 years old living in SoCal. 8 months in as a service and repair apprentice plumber. Working full time getting payed good learning every day got my own work van too! Got hooked up through a mutual friend who’s dad owns a plumbing business. You ain’t wrong you either as lucky and fortunate as I am or your dad owns a business. Btw I plan on teaching my younger brother once he’s done with highschool but rn it’s me chasing da bag 🛠💰
I’m 18 and I’m an apprentice, got into my company through high school co-op. Worked my ass off and got 500 hours credited for my apprenticeship. Going to trade school this fall too.
Sounds like you live in a bad location. Where im from the unions are always hiring
Chuck Hickman I’m in the Midwest. Got 100s of people on the “qualified” list for plumbing. There is only a minimum standard to meet for applicants so they can pick whoever they want. It isn’t based on merit. It’s too late for me now I moved on I’m in my 30s.
please more soldering and brazing videos.