Tips on using end-feed plumbing fittings?

It's one of those things I'd love to see what he's actually doing wrong. Of course I've been doing electronic - and other types - of soldering for years, so pipework was simply an extension of this. If only I could get the hang of MID welding on difficult things. ;-)

When answering this you must consider both my age and the fact that I have never used lead free solder What Flux I have used in the past may have little relevance in 2006 Just so I don't get into any more interesting discussions

I always used Frys borax paste later called Fluxite think for plumbing At present usage levels I have ample stock of this and lead solder to last at least another 30 years Unfortunately the same cant be said for me

Not sure - don't have them with me at the mo. The solder was just a length (~4mm diameter) I've had in the back of a drawer for years (bought off a roll last time I tried end-feed fittings) so presumably will be pure lead. The flux is basic stuff of similar vintage; can't remember the brand.

Actually I had to make up some pipework today, with my usual Yorkshire fittings, and think I *may* have got it sorted! Following advice here, I held the flame quite a lot closer to the fitting than usual (ie well into the blue cone) and also didn't try to heat up 1-1.5" of pipe either side of the fitting. My 'silver ring' appeared a hell of a lot faster than usual, and TBH the joints looked at a lot better than my usual efforts - not that I've ever had leakage problems etc. Anyway, I'll have another go with end-feeds when my new supplies arrive and see how it works.

David

...with a large proportion of tin in it!

Woo-hoo: success! That's done the trick, I'm now reproducibly doing OK end-feed fittings now. With hindsight, it seems kind of obvious what was wrong so I feel pretty stupid that I hadn't sussed it... nothing like making a pratt of myself in front of the world, eh?!

Anyway - very many thanks to everyone here who helped with advice: it's

David

Hope not.