The illustration above highlights better than could a photo the soldering work required to create the garden fountain's plumbing.
How to Solder Copper Pipes
- Solder will adhere only to clean copper, so first clean the elbow and the tip of the pipe.
- Rub the joint surfaces with some sandpaper. The scarring will create a more receptive surface.
- Daub a thin coat of flux on both the exterior surface of the pipe end and the interior surface of the elbow. Using a small brush makes this easier, but I just used a rag, myself.
- Join the elbow to the pipe end.
- Now fire up the propane torch. Give the propane torch valve just a slight turn to get the flame going.
- Once you see the flame, you can adjust the intensity. You won't need a high flame for this soldering operation.
- Keeping the torch as upright as you can, begin to apply the flame to the joint.
- Move the flame around the joint to distribute the heat evenly.
- When the copper at the joint starts to change color, it's starting to get hot enough to receive the solder.
- Unwrap some of the solder from its roll.
- Touch the end of the solder to the top of the joint. The solder should begin to melt. If not, heat the joint further.
- If the solder starts to melt, take the flame away and run the solder around the perimeter of the joint, back to the top where you began.
- Some wipe the joint with a wet rag at this point, but, if you do so, make sure you don't jostle the joint!
On Page 8 we'll install the piping....
