Soldering issues

[Subby]

Wondered if someone can help me,

I am using rothenberger mapp gas with a bullfinch torch. What i am finding is when im trying to solder 15mm copper fittings, they are burning (going green and green flame) before the solder is taking to it!!

Any tips (im also using powerflow flux)

move the flame about the pipe and fitting more, if you keep it in one place, it tends to burn the flux out. Move the flame away from the fitting and touch the end of the solder where the pipe meets the fitting frequently to see if it is hot enough to melt the solder.

 

[Resolute]

Make sure you've got the tip of the miner blue flame on the fitting when soldering.

 

[tamz]

Soldering is something you do subconsciously ie you do it without thinking. It is something that is actually quite hard to explain how it is done properly. Any boys i have had i would tell them to watch the flame, don't burn the flux etc etc and they would get leaks if i wasn't watching them because they were concentrating too much trying to follow what i said. I learned to just let them find their own way.
It is just an instinctive thing you will learn.
Btw bin your mapp gas. It is too hot for normal work. It is twice the price, it will discolour your pipe and burn out your heat mats. It solders quicker but takes longer to cool.
Some like it because it is hotter but the only real use on a domestic is if there is a touch of water in the pipe. You can solder with oxy acetylene or oxy/propane both of which are even hotter but why would you.

 

[tamz]

Both where great when cold they where like flame throwers and a well pumped cold lamp flame could reach 15 feet no bother with its flame.

Lighting it on the kitchen floor with the flame squirting up the wall and no one batted an eye. How times change lol

 

[WHPES]

I had this happen this week when working outside. Flux had got damp. Throw out and buy fresh. I have a 500g tin of flux in the workshop and little flat tins in the toolbox. I fill the little tins up from the big tin save the whole lot spoiling.