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Harringay, Haringey - So Good they Spelt it Twice!

Hello,

I'm coming to the end of a mini project where I'm fitting a pressure gauge to my coffee machine (don't ask!) and the last thing I need to do is solder a 2mm copper capiliary tube into a small brass steam valve. I've got the hole drilled into the steam valve perfectly and the surfaces are nicely prepared, but I'm just having no luck soldering them together. I think basically my blow torch isn't powerful enough to create the localised heat on the connection point of the steam valve, so it isn't taking.

Is anyone a whizz at soldering that fancies having a go for a pint and smile? With a good enough blow torch and the right solder it should only take a couple of minutes. Or failing that, does anyone have a recommendation on someone who could do it?

Here are a couple of shots of the parts next to a mobile phone to give scale...

Thanks!

Hugo.

Tags for Forum Posts: metalwork, soldering

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Thanks for the reply Tris. There aren't any plastic or rubber parts inside, so there's no problem there. I did try with a blow torch, heating for several minutes, but to no avail.

I could try tinning the tube as you say, but I would obviously have to be careful not to block the capillary hole in the tube. Hmm, maybe I need a more powerful torch.


Cheers,
Hugo.

I'd be willing to give it a try done a bit of soldering before. Send me a PM.

Hi James,

Thanks for the kind offer. My neighbour has offered to help me, who is a jewellery maker and has all the kit, so I'm going to give that a go. I might get back to you if it still doesn't work! Thanks again anyway.

Best,

Hugo.

I would try heating the valve in the flame from a gas hob so that the whole valve gets very hot ( you might want to hold it in a pair of gas pliers  ) then tin the valve surface first then move the solder up to the pipe.

Thanks John! I might give that a go.

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