Soldering is a method used for making electrical and plumbing connections.
Soldering Wires
Soldering wires to create an electrical connection is a quick and easy process, and it creates a better connection than wire nuts and electrical tape. Here's how. Materials:
Electrical wires and their tab connection
Paste flux
Soldering iron
Solder with a rosin core
- Dip the ends of the wire into the flux (figure A).
- Wrap the ends of the wire around the appropriate tabs on the work piece (figure B).
- Touch the tip of the hot soldering iron to the tabs (figure C). Keep the flat surface of the tip against the tab to heat the tab and the wires.
- Touch the rosin-core solder to the tab and wires but not to the tip of the iron (figure D). The heat from the tab and wires should melt the solder until a bead of solder covers the connection.
- Let the solder cool before moving anything.
Soldering Copper Pipe The process of soldering copper pipe is similar to soldering wires, but it's accomplished with an acid-based solder. Materials:
Emery cloth
Copper pipe
Fitting for the pipe
Small paintbrush
Flux
Propane torch
Acid-core solder
- Use emery cloth to clean the outside of the pipe where you want to make the connection (figure E).
- Use emery cloth or a small wire brush to clean the inside of the fitting to be soldered onto the pipe.
- Use a small paintbrush to apply flux to the inside of the fitting (figure F).
- Secure the fitting to the pipe (figure G).
- Use the torch to heat the outside of the fitting (figure H).
- Touch the tip of the solder to the joint of the pipe and its fitting (figure I). The solder will melt right into the joint.
- After the solder has cooled, wipe away any excess, making sure that solder completely encircles the joint, with no gaps.
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