sweating large diameter copper

[soma]

We've got a 1 3/8" copper pipe on a water pump. I want to put a union on it so we can remove the pump to clean out the volute and so we can line it up more easily when replacing it. We've got a B tank (acetylene) and I'm wondering if that will be sufficient to do the soldering or if I'll need a large tip for it.

Thanks.

 

[phishfood]

Do you know what size tip you have?

 

[johnjh2o]

Back when copper was used on waste lines we used B tanks to solder 3" joints.
(I hate sounding like a old fart)
John

 

[soma]

Do you know what size tip you have?

Not sure - but I can check. It seems small. I was able to solder 1" with no problems.

 

[LiQuId]

you will be fine with a b tank, I have solderd 3" lines as well, no issues. Wipe joints with a scrap of insulation for a smooth and clean finish ( fiberglass insulation doesnt stick and doesnt leave residue )

 

[Chris]

I silver solder 2" copper all the time with oxygen acetylene.

 

[mikec]

Soldered 5 inch with b-tank and no.6 tip. Didn't even know 5" existed until that day

 

[Chris]

Wow I have seen 4 inch and thought that was odd.

 

[mikec]

1 3/8 your fine with b tank and small tip. #3 tip is.fine

 

[mikec]

I sweat 4" regularly always b tank. Braising I use a torch

 

[LiQuId]

Soldered 5 inch with b-tank and no.6 tip. Didn't even know 5" existed until that day

it doesnt.

 

[johnjh2o]

Using 4" copper was quite common and I have seen 6" but I also don't believe they have 5".

John

 

[mikec]

I ordered the 5x3 reducer. So i know it does. Had to sweat a 90 with water in line. Put rags on rod and stuffed in while i soldered, being i dont have jet sweat that big, and dont even think they make press that size

 

[LiQuId]

odd. i had never seen a 5" but checking online i see that nibco makes 5" fittings. asx far as jet set ( I am thinking something like pro press?? ) they make had sizes up to 6" that i have seen.

why did you not just shop vac the line ? was it running ( letting by ) first day plumbing my boss hires me on the phone and says "be there tomorror 7am sharp have a tape measure, a torpedo level and 4 loaves of white bread, they gotta be white bread. dont bother coming if you dont bring em" thought I was the punchline for a funny wager or something but I have used white bread plugs in many many dribbling waterline solder's since.

 

[mikec]

Water was constant, a valve somewhere didnt hold. I have heard of bread before but never did myself

 

[LiQuId]

makes sweating the copper smell like fresh baking.