Separating soldered joints

[projectPONY]

I need to replace this elbow with a 45º. How would I go about separating it so I don't cut it or destroy it?

TIA

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[metalmagpie]

Heat it until the solder melts, pull apart. If you plan to reuse part of it, you will need to clean the bejesus out of it.

 

[Alchymist]

If we're talking about copper fittings, heat it, pull it apart, then heat/wipe with wet rag until only a solder film remains.

 

[projectPONY]

I've heard horror stories about cleaning a once soldered joint. Thankd guys.

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[RECox286]

If you don't remove all or most all of the solder, you will have to reheat the

pieces so they will slide together again.

Uncle Bob

 

[Tim The Tool Man]

Heat it until the solder melts, pull apart. If you plan to reuse part of it, you will need to clean the bejesus out of it.

^This

If we're talking about copper fittings, heat it, pull it apart, then heat/wipe with wet rag until only a solder film remains.

^and this

You may want to gently grasp the elbow with a channel lock to aide in removal. Then just heat, wipe, scuff and install your 45*

 

[csp]

I've heard horror stories about cleaning a once soldered joint. Thankd guys.

Horror stories like what? Once the joint is separated you can take a file and knock down any high spots that would prevent the pieces from going back together when cold. Clean it up with emory cloth like you would bare copper and if anything it creates a better joint because the copper pieces are now already tinned with solder.

My dad would always re-use copper fittings and I've done the same thing several times without any problems.

 

[djjsr]

Put on some safety glasses. When you wipe the solder off (using a clean rag) sometimes it will go flying. Molten solder in the eye will ruin your weekend.

 

[projectPONY]

...mainly about getting them clean. that re-soldering would be difficult if not meticulously cleaned.

 

[mobiledynamics]

I would not even bother....if the application grants, I would just cut and use new.
Faster, and more efficient. And possibly a better joint ...

 

[csp]

...mainly about getting them clean. that re-soldering would be difficult if not meticulously cleaned.

That's false. It's not any harder than cleaning a non-used piece of copper. Solder is going to stick to existing solder and flux if there's any left after roughing up the joint with emory cloth.

What substances would be contaminating the joint after you take it apart that weren't already there when it was soldered the first time?

 

[ilovevocs]

Latent moisture in the existing plumbing will make things difficult. Just an FYI, make sure it's very dry before you proceed.

 

[Kevin54]

They already make pre-soldered fittings. So you're just one step ahead. The horror stories come from the ones that can't solder a joint to begin with or listening to the horror stories. My dad always had a cardboard box full of joints that had solder on them.

 

[BD1]

If conditions make separating the joint difficult, cut the fitting in between the solder cub ends. Then heat and remove each cup end. Wipe off the high spots of the solder.

 

[laser3kw]

if the joint is sweated in proper, heating the joint may not let the solder let loose. As you heat the joint dabb a little fresh solder into the joint, then pull the fitting with pliers. This will allow the old solder to re flow and let the fitting pull off.

 

[volaredon]

Horror stories like what? Once the joint is separated you can take a file and knock down any high spots that would prevent the pieces from going back together when cold. Clean it up with emory cloth like you would bare copper and if anything it creates a better joint because the copper pieces are now already tinned with solder.

My dad would always re-use copper fittings and I've done the same thing several times without any problems.

no need for file jsut heat it and hit w/a piece of steelwool while melted and fittings I never re use.
being already soldered its already "tinned" so thatll be quitean easy joint to remake will hafta heat it while you slip the 45 on there... make sure you shine up the 45 on the inside where it will slide over the pipe... once seated hit w/a lil more solder to replace teh solder lost from previous fitting

Where I have trouble? When trying to tee in and join new to old copper it seems no matter what I do that is the one joint I cannot get to "take" I always hafta go back to the last soldered joint to make that happen.
But when dealing all new copper, sweating pipe is a piece of cake.