Have you seen this type of pipe before!?

[Doherty Plumbing]

Hey guys,

I was called out to a house to add a zone off the boiler loop for a new bedroom. At first glance I thought I was dealing with copper. As soon as I started to shine up the "copper" so I could cut it and solder on a new fitting I noticed that the "copper" was shining up silver!

I asked around town a bit and couldn't find anyone that has seen or heard of this type of piping before. Instead of trying to explain it in great detail I have included pictures. In one of the pictures it looks like a 1.25" Cu X Male fitting has been soldered on.

Being heating season I don't want to cut this piping until I know exactly what it is and how I can attach new fittings on to it!

Thank you to anyone who can help!

Thanks,

Rob

[johnjh2o1]

Yes I have it was used during the war when copper wasn't readily available. I believe it is copper plated steel. It's a real b***h to solder it tends to burn. If you do try to solder to it use 50/50 solder I don't think that the pipe could take the heat required with today's lead free solder.

John

[hj]

BundyWeld was one brand of CTS steel tubing used for heating in the 50's. When new, it had tinned coating so you could solder to it, but I am not sure what your chances are after this long a time.

[jimbo]

wow. Not too many places you could go and find TWO people who knew about that stuff!!
Kudos to johnj and hj.

[johnjh2o1]

I hate to say it jimbo but all it shows is are age.

John