Plumbers, Solder Question
- Thread starter Cass
- Start date
Dunbar Plumbing
Master Plumber
I use a number of solders but I question if I'm getting my money's worth on the large spindle 1 lb FryFlo's. All lead free of course.
FryFlo 97 441 degree
Taracorp Solder Safe
Bridgit Nickel-Bearing
Silvabrite 100
I've never really paid attention to the consumption of product since it can all be wiped out when doing service work. Sometimes you fight water, sometimes you don't. Anyone running new construction may better answer the question on what product is the way to go. I get all my product out of Jacksonville Florida.
FryFlo 97 441 degree
Taracorp Solder Safe
Bridgit Nickel-Bearing
Silvabrite 100
I've never really paid attention to the consumption of product since it can all be wiped out when doing service work. Sometimes you fight water, sometimes you don't. Anyone running new construction may better answer the question on what product is the way to go. I get all my product out of Jacksonville Florida.
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I've grown to using Taramet Sterling exclusively.
It's a lead-free and has a pretty wide pasty range. It doesn't seem to heat up as quick as others, but it is very forgiving and makes a very good looking joint.
The main reason I use it, is that I have no worries when soldering bigger pipe, 2"+. The solder will give a nice 'fillet' around the fitting. With 95/5 solders, like dutch-boy, oatey and super 50, I find the solder pools at the bottom of the (horizontal) fittings. All it took was a weeping 1 1/2" line to get me to find something better.
The Taramet also gives the feel of a bit of 'resistance' when applied to a heated joint. This helps a ton when you can't see the back of a fitting, you can feel the joint through the solder.
It's a bit more expensive, but much more predictable. If you do any work on larger, 1"+ stuff, try it. You'll never buy anything else.
It's a lead-free and has a pretty wide pasty range. It doesn't seem to heat up as quick as others, but it is very forgiving and makes a very good looking joint.
The main reason I use it, is that I have no worries when soldering bigger pipe, 2"+. The solder will give a nice 'fillet' around the fitting. With 95/5 solders, like dutch-boy, oatey and super 50, I find the solder pools at the bottom of the (horizontal) fittings. All it took was a weeping 1 1/2" line to get me to find something better.
The Taramet also gives the feel of a bit of 'resistance' when applied to a heated joint. This helps a ton when you can't see the back of a fitting, you can feel the joint through the solder.
It's a bit more expensive, but much more predictable. If you do any work on larger, 1"+ stuff, try it. You'll never buy anything else.
I just finished about 10 joints with Taramet Sterling today. Last time I tried to sweat fittings was over a year ago -- kind of lost my nerve since I had a bunch of leaky joints. Don't know for sure whether it was the Taramet, or using MAPP gas, or doing a better job keeping water out of the pipes, or whatever, but went very smoothly today. I'll probably keep using it, since now that I've found something that works for me, I'm superstitious enough to want to keep using it...
Interestingly enough "Taramet Sterling" has no silver in it.
It is tin, copper and selenium. Melting point is 410-418 F and a tensile strength of a whopping 7130 PSI.
A play on words that would lead one to think that it is silver bearing.
Their silver bearing solder is called "Solder Safe 97/3" with a melt temp of 443-481 F and tensile strength of 5800 PSI. Comprised of tin, copper, and silver.
It is tin, copper and selenium. Melting point is 410-418 F and a tensile strength of a whopping 7130 PSI.
A play on words that would lead one to think that it is silver bearing.
Their silver bearing solder is called "Solder Safe 97/3" with a melt temp of 443-481 F and tensile strength of 5800 PSI. Comprised of tin, copper, and silver.
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