Best Solder For Copper Pipe: How to Choose Solder for Soldering Copper Pipe
Copper is one of the most common metals for household works. This metal can use to repair and made different items. You can use copper pipe and fittings for the bathroom and waterline. Most of the building waterlines are cover by copper pipes. So, it is essential to know how to solder copper pipe and what is the best solder for copper pipe.
If you like to do DIY work and want to know how to sweat copper pipe, then you are in the right place. In this article, I am going to explain everything about the soldering copper pipe and which one to choose. And if you stay with me and read the complete article, then you can also know about different types of solder for copper pipe.
Here is the 10 best solder for copper pipes.
- Worthington 331760 Wire Solder
- Canfield 50/50 Stained Glass Solder
- Oatey 22004 95/5 Wire
- CMP Lead-Free Solder WSP95512501 95/5
- Canfield 95/5 Lead-Free Wire Solder
- Worthington 85325 Sterling Lead-Free Solder
- Shark 12015 1-Pound Industries Lead-Free Wire Solder
- Victory White Metal Stained Glass Solder
- Alpine Water Solder Silva Brite
- Forney 38060 Solder
Review of Top 10 solder for copper pipe
It is tough to choose the best solder for copper pipe. If you are confused and do not know what is the best solder for copper pipe, and then you can take a look at this solder and choose the right one for you. Every solder we pick is the best solder for copper pipes, and you can use these for your DIY work.
1. Worthington 331760 Wire Solder Review
This solder manufacture by Worthington company and they make one of the best solders for copper pipes. The type of solder is 95/5, which means it contains 95 percentage of Tin and 5 percentage of Antimony. These solder melting points are lower than other solders, and you can easily use this for home base work.
You can ideally use this solder where the external flux is required. This type of solder can apply on the copper pipe by using your hand, but you need to put safety gloves first. You can get 1 pound of solder in a single roll and take everywhere with you. This solders most use for waterline copper pipe. And this is the best solder for copper water pipe.
2. Canfield 50/50 Stained Glass Solder Review
This solder manufacture by USA based company and they have a reputation for solder. You can use this solder correctly to join glass and other metals. The type of this solder is 50/50, and that’s mean solder contains 50 percentage of Tin and 50 percentage of Lead alloy. This solder melts and flows as nice as 60/40 types of solder.
The Canfield 50/50 melting point is 421 degrees Fahrenheit. If you buy this solder, then you can use it for glass and drainage pipeline soldering. This solder weight 1 pound per roll, and you can easily carry place to place. The diameter of this solder is 0.125 inch, and you can use this type of solder by using your hand.
3. Oatey 22004 95/5 Wire Review
Oatey is a lead-free solder that you can find in the market. This solder contains 95 percentage of Tin and 5 percentage of Antimony. The melting point of this solder is 450 to 464 degrees Fahrenheit.
That’s mean you can use propane gas to do soldering on different items. The manufacturing company gives one year of warranty with this solder, and they produce the best quality solder in the market.
This solder commonly used for household works. You can use this solder on the drinking water copper pipeline because it is lead-free. And you can also apply this solder on refrigeration lines and cooling equipment. And because of the low melting range, you can use this solder by using your hand. This solder is the best type of solder for copper pipe in the waterline.
4. CMP Lead Free Solder WSP95512501 95/5 ReView
The CMP is a Canada based company, and they are producing the best solder for copper water lines. You can get a worry-free and safe pipeline to join by using this solder. This solder is lead-free and can produce a robust and dependable join. You can use this solder at your drinking water pipeline to make leak-free copper pipe join.
This solder contains 95 percentage of Tin and 5 percentage of Antimony. The melting point of this solder is 455 degrees Fahrenheit and which is lower than lead solders. Every roll of this solder is 1 pound, and you can put it in your bag to carry it with you. The diameter of the solder wire is 1/8”. This solder is the best solder for copper water lines.
5. Canfield 95/5 Lead Free Wire Solder Review
This one is another Canfield solder but lead-free. The Canfield manufacturing company makes both lead and lead-free solder for soldering. But this Canfield 95/5 solder is environment friendly, and you can use this solder at your home. This type of solder mainly use for soldering copper pipe waterline, but you can also use this solder on heating items and air conditioning.
The solder is made of 95 percentage of pure Tin and 5 percentage of Antimony. This solder melting range is 450 to 464 degrees Fahrenheit. By using this solder, you can get reliable and leak-free joints. This solder also has government plumbing code standards for strength, purity, and potable water system application.
6. Worthington 85325 Sterling Lead-Free Solder Review
This solder is suitable for different kinds of metals and its lead-free. The melting range of this solder is 401 degrees Fahrenheit and which is lower than 95/5 type of solder.
This silver solder makes strong join like steel, and it can tolerate the extreme temperature. The Worthington solder tensile strength is 7130 PSI. And this solder also can use as a replacement of 50/50 type solder.
This solder is environment friendly and safe to use for a drinking water pipeline. You can also use this solder for home repair, repair parts, jewelry, and other items.
It also works fine on steel, copper, brass, bronze, iron, silver, and some stainless steel. This solder contains 90 percentage of Tin, 4-5 percentage of copper, 5 percentage of silver. And this is the best silver solder for copper pipe.
7. Shark 12015 1-Pound Industries Lead Free Wire Solder Review
Shark solder manufacturing company is producing plumbing products since 1983. They have a lot of experience, and the quality of their products is one of the best.
This solder has the best quality, and it is 100 percent of lead-free. That’s mean this solder is environment friendly. This solder is 95/5 type that means it contains 95 percentage of Tin and 5 percentage of Antimony.
Because of the environment friendly and lead-free, you can apply this solder on your drinking water line. You can also use this solder to repair the refrigeration line and other items. This solder tensile strength is 6000 PSI, and the melting point is 464 degrees Fahrenheit.
8. Victory White Metal Stained Glass Solder Review
This solder has high purity and uses as stained glass solder. The manufacturing company of these items makes the quality is the best to solder glass.
You can use this solder mainly for soldering glass, and this solder also uses to fill the gaps between two glasses. This type of solder cannot apply to the drinking water pipeline.
The Victory White solder is a lead 50/50 type. That’s mean this solder contains 50 percentage of the Tin and 50 percentage of the lead. One roll of this solder is 1 pound, and the wire dimension is 2.1X2.1X2.2 inches. The size of the wire is 16 ounces.
9. Alpine Water Solder Silva Brite Review
This solder is one of the best solder for copper water lines. Because this item is lead-free and Antimony free, you can use this for copper pipe sweating and get a satisfying result.
You can use this solder to join or repair your water pipeline without worrying about anything because it’s lead-free. This solder also can use for a different purpose.
The Silvabrite contains 95.6 percentage of the Tin, 4 percentage of the copper, and 0.4 percentage of silver. And the melting point is lower than other lead-free solders, and the melting point is 440 degrees Fahrenheit. One roll of this solder is 1 pound of weight, and the wire size is .062
10. Forney 38060 Solder Review
Forney is a famous company for different kinds of tools, and they are always serious about product quality. This solder has the best quality and combination of the various metals.
The solder is strong, but you can use this for durable constriction. This solder is the best solder to use for copper pipe. But if you also want to use this solder for refrigeration line and other none electric works.
This solder contains 95 percentage of the Tin and 5 percentage of the Antimony. The solder tensile strength is 6000 PSI, and the melting point is 464 degrees Fahrenheit.
The thickness of this solder is 0.125 inches, and every roll contains ¼ pound to 1 pound of this solder. And this solder for copper pipe lead-free works.
Soldering Copper Pipe
If you like to do DIY work and want to do copper soldering, then you should know some points before start. You have to understand what solder is and which type of solder you need for your job. There are many types of solder you can find in the market, and each of them has a different use.
If you already what solder are then you can skip this section.
What is the Solder?
Solder is a mixture of metals wire and uses to joint two parts of copper pipe and repair. It also applies to various purposes of electrical works. These metal alloys melt on a fix temperature and make a joint between pipes or wire. But for the copper pipe joining the non-electric solder use.
Every soldier on the list is the best solder for copper pipe, and they work perfectly. But if you still thinking what’s the best solder for copper pipe, then stay with me and read to know more about copper solder.
Types of solder for copper pipe
You can find different type of solder for copper pipe in the market. But not all of them are used for household and DIY works. The most common type of solder is lead solder and lead-free solder. Lead solder is not allowed to use in the drinking water pipeline, but it can use on drainage pipeline to solder. And the lead free solder for copper pipes uses at the drinking water line.
The lead-free requires more heat than the lead solder. You can use 95/5 type solder to do soldering drinking water pipeline, and this is the best lead free solder for copper pipe. You can use a 50/50 type of solder, and this one is the best solder for copper pipe if the line is drainage.
Now let’s talk about some copper pipe soldering kit you need with solder to do copper pipe soldering.
What Gas For Soldering Copper Pipe?
You can use various types of gas depending on the pipe types you are soldering. If you confuse which gas for soldering copper pipes, then you have to decide what kind of copper pipe you are soldering.
Because of the drinking water line, copper pipe solder melts on low heat, but drainage pipe solder does not melt at low temperatures.
For DIY use, you can choose propane or MAPP gas. You can use propane gas for drinking water line copper pipe soldering, and it is the best gas for soldering copper pipe. And you can use MAPP gas for drainage copper pipeline to make more heat to do soldering. Both of the gas is the best gas for plumbing soldering work.
There are some other gases which are used for heavy-duty works and only use by professionals. And I think you already know what is the best gas to use for soldering copper.
What Flux For Copper Pipe?
Solder flux for copper pipe is one of the essential items you need during copper pipe soldering. Without flux, it is not possible to get a perfect join.
Because the flux prevents oxidation during soldering and makes leak-free joint between two copper pipes, but if you do not use the flux during soldering, then the oxidation can lead to a leak on your pipe fittings.
You can use superior No.75 inorganic acid and its use for the general purpose of soldering flux. This type of flux can use with a torch to solder copper pipe. The flux contains Zinc Chloride, and you can also use this for soldering iron and hot plate. And this is the best solder flux for copper pipe.
You can also find some acid free flux on the market, and they also work fine.
Best Torch for Soldering Copper Pipe
You can find so many quality torches in the local store or on the online to do solder copper pipe. And it will depend on your budget which one you want to buy. The priciest one is the best torch for soldering copper pipe, but you can also use mid-level one perfectly for home use.
Check Best Rated in Soldering Torches on Amazon
Wire Brush and Sandpaper
You can find wire brush and sandpaper in a local store, and you can get both of them in a low budget. These two are applying to clean the copper pipe and the fittings.
Safety is the main issue while you are working with gas and flame. So, before doing copper pipe soldering, keep all the safety tools near you. And there are some other copper pipe soldering tools you need during soldering.
First, you need to use hand gloves, and you can get the best gloves for soldering copper pipe on the online store at a low price.
You should also keep the fire extinguisher in case of an emergency. And make sure the soldering place is clean and does not have any flammable items.
If you are a beginner level worker, then you can face some problems during copper pipe soldering. Now let’s talk about some soldering copper pipe problems most of the worker’s face in their soldering career.
How to Solder Copper Pipe With Water in it?
It is impossible to solder a copper pipe with water in it. And sometimes the water coming out even the waterline is off. If you face this kind of problem, then you can use a technique that most professional copper pipe solders use.
To solder a pipeline with water in it, you are going to need bread and a vacuum machine. First, use your vacuum machine to suck the water from the pipe as much as you can and then put some with bread inside the pipeline.
This technique can give you a few minutes to complete your soldering. Because of the time shortage, you need to prepare everything before vacuuming the pipe.
How to Solder Vertical Copper Pipe?
The vertical positional copper pipe is a bit hard to soldering. To solder a vertical copper pipeline, first, make sure the pipe is clean and does not have water in it. Then use flux and assemble the join to perform solder. You should make sure the pipe in the right place and does not move during soldering.
You can use wood or any other item to keep fix joining position. After making sure the position then heats the middle of the join to heat up the copper pipe. Then after 7 to 8 seconds, use some solder to make sure the heat is enough to do soldering.
If the heat is perfect, then use the solder to join the pipeline. Then wait until the join gets cool down and wipe out the extra solder on the copper pipe.
How to Solder Copper Sheets?
To solder a copper sheet, you are going to need an electric soldering iron. First, clean both copper sheet by using a wire brush. Then use some flux on both sides of the copper sheet.
Now plug your soldering iron to current supply to heat up. After that, use the solder on both copper sheets and clean excess solder on the copper sheet.
Now use the flux again on the copper sheet and attach them in to make a join. After that, use the solder iron and solder on the joining line. Wait until the join gets cool down and wipe extra solder on the copper sheet.
How to Solder Copper Pipe Neatly?
The best way to solder copper pipe neatly is to follow the professional workers. If you want to solder copper pipe neatly, then you have to practice more and more. And you should have all the tools to do soldering correctly.
After having all the equipment, you have to clean the copper pipe nicely and make sure the pipe does not have water in it. Then use flux and heat the copper pipe to apply solder on the join.
Check the join for leak and clean the extra solder from the copper pipe. If everything goes perfectly, then you can get a nice and leak-free copper pipe to join. This is how to solder copper neatly.
How to Solder Copper Pipe Without Flame?
If you do not like to use any flammable item to do solder copper pipe, then you can use the solderless copper bonding process. This is the best way to solder copper pipe without using solder or any kind of flame.
You can find a liquid on the online market, which is a durable polymer and can make a strong bond between two copper pipes.
This kind of join can take 200 pounds of pressure and take only seven minutes to become stable. The join can tolerate even the temperature is between -40 degrees to 120 degrees Celsius.
The FAQs About Copper Pipe Solder
Q. What kind of solder do you use for copper pipes?
Answer: Actually, the solder type depends on the pipeline you are working on. If I do water pipeline soldering, then I use 95/5 type of solder, and for drainage, you should use the 50/50 type of solder.
Q. Do you need flux to solder copper pipe?
Answer: It is essential to use flux to solder copper pipe. The flux prevents oxidation during soldering and makes the join reliable and leak-free.
Q. What is the strongest type of solder?
Answer: The silver solder is the strongest type of solder you can find in the market, and this type of solder used for makes a strong joint between two pipes.
Q. How hard is it to solder copper pipe?
Answer: For DIY type, soldering is easy, and you can do it by watching a tutorial on YouTube. But professional works need the practice to do perfect soldering copper.
Conclusion
All the solder on the list is perfect for doing any kind of copper soldering. But you have to decide which one you want to use and where you want to apply. If you can choose the right solder and flux for copper pipe, then you can get the best result of soldering.
If you do not know how to perform soldering on the copper pipe, then you can read this article to learn how to solder copper pipe. I have prepared the easiest way to solder copper pipe only for you.
