# Quick couple of soldering questions **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [May 22, 2005, 2:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quick-couple-of-soldering-questions/304921 "2005-05-22T02:01:09Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d26b3c/32.png) [@Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Blue_Sky)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2005, 2:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quick-couple-of-soldering-questions/304921/1 "2005-05-22T02:01:09Z")
I’ve watched enough DIY shows about the basics of soldering to convince myself I could do it, too. One thing I always seem to miss is what type of solder to use on: 1. copper pipes and fittings 2. wiring (putting connectors on wires, etc) Any soldering experts out there? ---
**Author:** ![bubba\_jr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e95f7d/32.png) [@bubba\_jr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bubba_jr)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2005, 2:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quick-couple-of-soldering-questions/304921/2 "2005-05-22T02:14:55Z")
Rosin core for electrical. For copper pipes, just regular old solder, that you get in the plumbing section of the hardware store. Don’t buy the kits with the “non-greasy” flux, it doesn’t work particularly well. Buy the stuff that looks like a very light colored grease, and you shouldn’t have any problems. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d26b3c/32.png) [@Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Blue_Sky)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2005, 2:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quick-couple-of-soldering-questions/304921/3 "2005-05-22T02:22:17Z")
Is the “non-greasy” flux just called “flux” and would I find it along with the solder? I want to do something with copper pipe that is not plumbing related. ---
**Author:** ![wolf\_meister](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolf_meister/32/15202_2.png) [@wolf\_meister](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolf_meister)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2005, 2:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quick-couple-of-soldering-questions/304921/4 "2005-05-22T02:58:43Z")
As has been said, rosin core for electrical work and use the 60/40 type. (Sixty forty means 60 per cent tin and 40 per cent lead). _ **NEVER** _ use plumbing solder for electrical work - ever. ---
**Author:** ![Helix](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e19adc/32.png) [@Helix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Helix)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2005, 3:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quick-couple-of-soldering-questions/304921/5 "2005-05-22T03:31:08Z")
There are different types of solder for copper pipes too. If you go into a plumbing supply house they often give you solder meant to be used with professional style torches (relatively powerful devices). Lower-temperature solder - available at Ace, Lowes, etc. - is easier to work with using regular propane torches. ---
**Author:** ![pmh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/df705f/32.png) [@pmh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pmh)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2005, 3:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quick-couple-of-soldering-questions/304921/6 "2005-05-22T03:36:09Z")
> [@wolf\_meister](#): > > As has been said, rosin core for electrical work and use the 60/40 type. IMHO, 63/37 (if you can find it) is much easier to control, especially in small / tight places or for the novice. And yes, rosin core only for electrical work. For copper pipe, I’d recommend acid core 60/40 and a flux paste. Rough up the areas you want to join with emery cloth, apply flux and assemble. Heat one side and apply solder to the other. The solder will flow wherever the flux was applied. With both types of soldering, do not apply the solder where the heat source is. The idea is not to “melt the solder into the joint”, but get the work hot enough to melt the solder so that it flows into the joint. ---
**Author:** ![danceswithcats](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9e8a1a/32.png) [@danceswithcats](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/danceswithcats)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2005, 3:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quick-couple-of-soldering-questions/304921/7 "2005-05-22T03:53:57Z")
60/40 may be difficult to find as lead based solder isn’t permissible for potable water systems. IIRC 95/5 tin/antimony is one replacement-I like the silver bearing solders myself. ---
**Author:** ![Cartooniverse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cartooniverse/32/3084_2.png) [@Cartooniverse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cartooniverse)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2005, 11:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quick-couple-of-soldering-questions/304921/8 "2005-05-22T11:58:30Z")
And, lest we forget that we don’t wanna lose and Dopers to hobbies- using acid core solder is somewhat dangerous in terms of vapors. Do this hobby outside, or with a strong fan blowing and windows opened up. Using rosin core with delicate electrical wiring, I typically have a little desk fan going but not a huge rush of air. I’m already a dim bulb, no need to inhale any lead fumes. 😃 Cartooniverse ---
**Author:** ![Xema](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/9de053/32.png) [@Xema](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Xema)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2005, 2:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quick-couple-of-soldering-questions/304921/9 "2005-05-22T14:15:50Z")
Another point worth noting is the value of cleanliness. Any dirt or grease will make things more difficult. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d26b3c/32.png) [@Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Blue_Sky)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2005, 2:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quick-couple-of-soldering-questions/304921/10 "2005-05-22T14:19:17Z")
> [@Xema](#): > > Another point worth noting is the value of cleanliness. Any dirt or grease will make things more difficult. I’ve seen those all-in-one tools that allow you to thoroughly clean the surfaces to be soldered. Any good? ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2005, 2:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quick-couple-of-soldering-questions/304921/11 "2005-05-22T14:31:34Z")
> [@](#): > > I’ve seen those all-in-one tools that allow you to thoroughly clean the surfaces to be soldered. If your talking plumbing, copper pipe, I just use a piece of sandpaper. If you are going to do a lot of it, you can buy sandpaper in a roll and tear strips off as you need it. One little piece can clean up a lot. Buy a good tubing cutter. Cheap ones can be a pain in the ass. Do you know anything about plumbing? What are you trying to do? ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d26b3c/32.png) [@Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Blue_Sky)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2005, 2:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quick-couple-of-soldering-questions/304921/12 "2005-05-22T14:35:37Z")
> [@enipla](#): > > Do you know anything about plumbing? What are you trying to do? I’m actually doing a project with copper pipe that isn’t plumbing related, but I want to be able to solder the pipes together. Plus, it never hurts to have a new skill. ---
**Author:** ![Balthisar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/balthisar/32/2825_2.png) [@Balthisar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Balthisar)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2005, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quick-couple-of-soldering-questions/304921/13 "2005-05-22T19:48:04Z")
> [@Mr. Blue Sky](#): > > I’m actually doing a project with copper pipe that isn’t plumbing related[.] Just make sure it’s okay with your neighbors and that they know that it’s “art” and not “trash.” 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d26b3c/32.png) [@Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Blue_Sky)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2005, 8:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quick-couple-of-soldering-questions/304921/14 "2005-05-22T20:11:51Z")
> [@Balthisar](#): > > Just make sure it’s okay with your neighbors and that they know that it’s “art” and not “trash.” 🙂 Don’t worry, it’ll be too small for the yard. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Cartooniverse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cartooniverse/32/3084_2.png) [@Cartooniverse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cartooniverse)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2005, 1:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quick-couple-of-soldering-questions/304921/15 "2005-05-23T01:03:45Z")
I just have to share this. This is really weird. I have never in my life made anything out of copper plumbing bits and tubing. Until last week. A week ago, I had bought right angles, “T” joints and about 15 feet of 1/2 inch tubing. Tried soldering it using that crappy flux/solder paste. Wound up drilling a LOT of holes and driving in rivets instead. Just…weird, that I’m reading this thread and last week was the first time I’d ever tried soldering copper tubing. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d26b3c/32.png) [@Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Blue_Sky)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2005, 1:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quick-couple-of-soldering-questions/304921/16 "2005-05-23T01:07:23Z")
> [@Cartooniverse](#): > > Just…weird, that I’m reading this thread and last week was the first time I’d ever tried soldering copper tubing. What were you trying to build? ---
**Author:** ![EvilGhandi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/f17d59/32.png) [@EvilGhandi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EvilGhandi)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2005, 3:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quick-couple-of-soldering-questions/304921/17 "2005-05-23T03:27:58Z")
Mr. Sky, Go to the home store, buy a torch kit, a pipe cutter, some copper pipe and a bag of elbows. Next, draw a line on your garage floor with angles of less than 90 dgrees. Now sweat together this combination so it follows your line exactly. If you can do that you are ready to start sweating pipe in the walls. Bear in mind that your walls may be built of materiels that burn. Any plumber worth half his salt pays attention not to burn down the building he is plumbing. ---
**Author:** ![EvilGhandi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/f17d59/32.png) [@EvilGhandi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EvilGhandi)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2005, 3:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quick-couple-of-soldering-questions/304921/18 "2005-05-23T03:42:51Z")
Arg, that sounded really harsh. Not to mention not realloy answering the OP. For plumbing applications, use silver bearing solder. Or (non-lead) if labled that way. Like DWC states do not use ANY lead bearing solder on water joins. (potable or non) You will likely violate code. To answer the OP directly, I like bar stock silver solder in conjunction w/ tinning pase flux myself. But what the fuck would I know? I was only a rough-in plumber for three years. ---
**Author:** ![2nd\_Law](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/2/f475e1/32.png) [@2nd\_Law](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/2nd_Law)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2005, 3:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quick-couple-of-soldering-questions/304921/19 "2005-05-23T03:42:56Z")
> [@wolf\_meister](#): > > _ **NEVER** _ use plumbing solder for electrical work - ever. And \*\*NEVER \*\* use solder containing lead for plumbing work! ---
**Author:** ![2nd\_Law](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/2/f475e1/32.png) [@2nd\_Law](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/2nd_Law)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2005, 3:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quick-couple-of-soldering-questions/304921/20 "2005-05-23T03:44:31Z")
and I see EvilGhandi beat me to it. Preview is my friend, preview is my friend… [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quick-couple-of-soldering-questions/304921.md?page=2)