Soldering Larger (1") Pipe Advice Needed

[benpermut]

Looking for advice as to how to solder larger copper pipe as a DIY homeowner. I have a project I am looking at which will need a few 1" copper joints soldered. I've successfully soldered smaller pipe - 1/2" and 3/4" a number of times with a basic propane torch. But I've noticed the difficulty in evenly heating the extra mass of a 1/2' brass fittings as opposed to a copper coupling, and doing something as large as 1" makes me nervous.

Is there an advantage in upgrading my torch for this size pipe? I'm sure what i have is bottom of the line (basic brass blowtorch). I know there are different makes of torch heads as well as fuels (Map-Pro) but I'm unsure of what will really help. I've also thought about having a helper hold a second basic propane torch and heating the 1" pipe from two sides at the same time. I should have plenty of space around the pipe to work.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Breplum]

two propane torches is definitely something to try.
Easy to accomplish with torch upgrade. Turbo Torch accompanied by Map gas (yellow cylinder) is the ideal choice for diy.
The best solution is not soldering but getting a pro with ProPress: wham, bam, no flux, no leaks, no torch.

 

[Sponsor]

 

[John Gayewski]

1" is still pretty small pipe. All your trying to do is get the pipe and fitting (or valve) to the same temp as the soldier's paste temp. All solders have a liquid temp and a paste temp some have bigger windows than others. I would do up to 1.5" with propane. Even 2" would probably be ok. It's not worth getting another torch for 1"pipe.


What happens a lot is people don't realize that newer brass heats at a much different rate than the old brass did, and much slower than copper. So they end up way overheating the copper portion of the joint while the brass isn't hot enough, and they end up with a mess. Just realize your trying to get each piece up to temp and that's it, don't go way over temp.

 

[Fitter30]

Map gas and the largest tip is needed. Smaller tip can never get it hot enough.