Soldering with lead-free solder Help and information on all topics relating to your central heating, air conditioning and ventilation issues.

[Edpaterson]

It is a long time since I installed my central heating plumbing and since then lead-free solder has become the norm. I now want to add an extra radiator. What type of torch do I need to use lead-free solder satisfactorily?

Cheers

[plumbbob]

You do not need any special equipment to cope with lead free solder. It acts almost identically to traditional solder.

I found the only difference is that where lead solder can, with careful heating, be held at a point where it is quite viscous. Lead free tends to change straight from a solid to a thin liquid and therefore cannot be encouraged to "build up" and fill larger gaps.

If you only need a blowtorch to do a few jobs, just stick to a cheap propane model with a thinnish nozzle.

[eggers]

how long are we talking? as alot of copper pipes from 70's had more impurities due to a shortage and as a result do not solder properly