Elements of Plumbing Part 6

_Eleventh_, tools used.

_Twelfth_, wipe a slim joint.

_Thirteenth_, steady the work with the free hand.

_Fourteenth_, re-tin the ferrule, if necessary.

FOUR-INCH BRa.s.s FERRULE

The 4-inch bra.s.s ferrule joint is the same as the 2-inch, except for size. The materials needed for this joint are 6 inches of 4-inch, 8-pound lead pipe, and one 4-inch bra.s.s ferrule, one _full_ pot of solder, some paste and paper, rosin, and 1/2 and 1/2 solder.

TOOLS NECESSARY.--The tools required for this joint are as follows: saw, rasp, file, ladle, soldering iron, dresser, bending irons, shave hook, and wiping cloths.

PREPARATION.--_Lead Pipe._--With the saw cut off 6 inches of 4-inch lead pipe. This pipe comes in lengths and should be for this work about 8 pounds to the foot in weight. The pipe may be dented badly, but these dents can be taken out as follows: Take a piece of 2-inch iron pipe and put it in a vise. The lead pipe can be slipped over this iron pipe and any dents taken out easily by beating with the dresser. One end of the lead pipe is beaten with the dresser until it fits into the ferrule. The end is then rasped a little.

Then, after the bra.s.s ferrule has been tinned, the pipe is fitted into it and beaten out against the inside wall of the bra.s.s ferrule and a tight joint is made. The lead is next cleaned with the shave hook and paper is pasted on as explained under the 2-inch bra.s.s ferrule, the description of which should now be read over.

[Ill.u.s.tration: FIG. 26.--Four-inch bra.s.s ferrule.]

_Bra.s.s Ferrule._--The first thing to do with the bra.s.s ferrule is to file the end that is to be wiped. When the bra.s.s ferrule is filed, it should be done away from any part of the room where the filings are likely to get into the solder. After the filing has been done, paper is pasted on all of it except the part that is to be tinned and no paste must get on to this part of the ferrule. If any paste does get on to it, the filing will have to be done over again. When using paste and paper, neatness must be cultivated, or paste will be spread over parts of the pipe that are supposed not to have any paste on them. Next, take the soldering iron and heat it. Take some rosin and put it on the exposed part of the ferrule.

With the hot soldering iron proceed to tin the bra.s.s ferrule, as explained before, with 1/2 and 1/2 solder, using rosin as a flux.

Now the lead pipe that has previously been prepared is fitted into the ferrule.

SUPPORTING.--Set the bra.s.s ferrule on a catch pan. The lead pipe is upright. A weight placed on top of the lead pipe will steady the pipe for wiping. When the joint is wiped the free hand can hold the pipe if the weight is not sufficient to support it.

[Ill.u.s.tration: FIG. 27.--Four-inch bra.s.s ferrule.]

WIPING.--Splash the solder on the joint from the ladle, in the same manner as was employed in the two preceding joints. To get the proper heat on the 4-inch joint a little more speed is necessary, also the constant working of the solder around the pipe. The ladle is constantly moved around the pipe so that all parts of the pipe will be evenly heated and come into contact with the hot solder direct from the ladle. When the solder works freely around the pipe and the top edge is hot, the joint is shaped by holding the wiping cloth in the right hand, with the index and the middle fingers spread to the opposite corners of the cloth. The fingers are placed one on the top edge and one on the bottom edge. The cloth is then pa.s.sed around the joint as far as possible. Then the cloth is taken in the left hand, with the fingers spread, and pa.s.sed around the rest of the joint. If the solder does not take the shape of the cloth readily, then the solder is not at the right heat. This joint should be wiped very slim to allow room for the caulking tools.

When this joint is once started, it should not be left until it has been wiped, otherwise a large amount of solder will acc.u.mulate on the joint and will be hard to get off.

POINTS TO REMEMBER.--

_First_, material.

_Second_, tools.

_Third_, tin ferrule.

_Fourth_, use the dresser to fit the lead into the ferrule.

_Fifth_, clean the lead with the shave hook, and paper.

_Sixth_, use the catch cloth and ladle.

_Seventh_, keep the top edge covered with hot solder.

_Eighth_, wipe the top edge first.

_Ninth_, make a slim joint.

_Tenth_, steady the work with the free hand.

STOP c.o.c.k

MATERIALS REQUIRED.--The materials used for this joint are as follows: two pieces of 5/8-inch extra strong lead pipe 9 inches long, each; one 1/2-inch plug stop c.o.c.k for lead pipe; paste and paper; solder; 1/2 and 1/2 solder; rosin; catch pan and supports.

[Ill.u.s.tration: FIG. 28.]

TOOLS NECESSARY.--The tools necessary for this job are as follows: saw, rasp, file, turn plug, shave hook, bending irons, hammer, ladle, soldering iron, and wiping cloths.

PREPARATION.--There are two joints to be wiped on this job and the stop c.o.c.k is supported only by the rigid fitting of the lead pipe.

Therefore the preparation must be thoroughly done. The bra.s.s stop will be prepared first.

_Bra.s.s._--The two ends of the stop c.o.c.k are filed bright, then papered and tinned. This operation is the same, only on a smaller scale, as the tinning of the 2-inch and the 4-inch bra.s.s ferrule.

The paper is pasted over the entire stop c.o.c.k, except the two ends, which are tinned for about 1-1/4 inches.

_Lead Pipe._--After the lead pipe has been cut off from the coil, the ends are squared with the rasp. One end of each piece is reamed out a little with the tap borer and spread a trifle with the turn pin. With the rasp, take off the outside edge of the end that has been spread. The sketch will show this and give the angle at which the edge is to be rasped. The stop c.o.c.k is now fitted into the lead pipe. The bra.s.s should enter at least 1/4 inch, then the lead is beaten against the bra.s.s until a tight joint is made. The other end of the bra.s.s stop is fitted into the other piece of the lead pipe and a perfect fit is made. The fitting of these two joints must be rigid as upon them depends the stability of the joint support. When these ends of the lead pipe have been fitted, the pipe is cleaned with the shave hook and paper is pasted on, allowing 1-1/2 inches for the joint. Both pieces of pipe are prepared at the same time as both ends are wiped at the same time.

SUPPORTING.--The three pieces of pipe should be so wedged together that they will not fall apart when put in position for wiping. The bricks for supporting the pipe are placed the same as in the support of the horizontal round joint. The lead pipe ends are laid on the bricks. This brings the stop c.o.c.k in the center without any support. If it were not for the substantial fit between it and the lead pipe, it would not stay in place. Solder straps can be put over each end of the lead pipe. Weights can be used to advantage.

WIPING.--When getting the heat up for these joints, pour the solder over the two joints and over the stop c.o.c.k. This gets the heat properly distributed, so that both joints can be wiped while the bra.s.s stop is heated. Get the proper heat up on one joint and then the other. Come back to the first joint and wipe it and then the second one. Both joints should be wiped so as to have the same shape. The novice will experience some trouble when wiping this joint in getting the bra.s.s edge hot. Heating up the two joints together will in a large degree offset this trouble. Some mechanics take out the lever handle stop to lessen the amount of bra.s.s to heat. This is never done by a good mechanic as the two pieces will never fit together again and make a tight joint. If the plug is left in place, both the plug and body will expand equally and the pieces will fit perfectly. When wiping is started on these joints, the beginner must stay at it continually. When the bra.s.s is heated, the finished wiping can be tried over and over again. If this way is not followed, the beginner will find that most of his time will be spent trying to get a heat on the bra.s.s.

[Ill.u.s.tration: FIG. 29.--Stop c.o.c.k.]

BRANCH JOINT

MATERIALS NEEDED.--The materials necessary to complete this job are as follows: 12 inches of 5/8-inch extra strong lead pipe for the run; 6 inches of 1/2-inch extra strong lead pipe for the branch; paste and paper, and solder.

TOOLS NECESSARY.--The tools necessary for this job are the saw, bending irons, rasp, tap borer, ladle, wiping cloths, and the shave hook.

[Ill.u.s.tration: FIG. 30.--Branch joint.]

PREPARATION.--The preparation of this joint requires the skill of the beginner more than any of the preceding joints. The tapping of the 5/8 pipe for the branch connection, pasting and cutting the paper, require the utmost care and precision. The 5/8-inch pipe is tapped with the tap borer in the center. The tap borer is used by grasping the handle firmly and putting the cutting point on the mark and then pressing down on the handle. This forces the point into the lead. Now turn the tool and a piece of lead will be bored out. Continue this operation and a hole will very soon appear in the lead. A hole just large enough to allow the bending irons to enter is made. The opening of the hole is completed with the bending iron, working the lead back slowly into place. Do not attempt to drive the lead back around the hole with a few strokes.

One bending iron is inserted and this iron is struck with another iron or hammer. After a number of strokes the opening will be of sufficient size. The bent end of iron is inserted into the hole and the bent part enters the bore of the pipe. This iron is struck in such a way as to force the lead around the hole up, rather than back. Now with the straight end of irons open the sides. When the wall of pipe has been driven up a little the hole can be enlarged by driving back the lead. This procedure will form a collar around the hole to steady the branch pipe. Good workmans.h.i.+p will result in having a good substantial collar around the opening. The branch should now be fitted. Clean the pipe with the shave hook for about 2 inches on each side of the opening. With compa.s.ses set at 1-1/8 inches, mark off a s.p.a.ce on each side of the branch on the run, or on the 5/8-inch pipe. On the sides of the pipe the two lines should be joined with an even and symmetrical curve. A good way to make this curve is with the shave hook. Now take a folded piece of paper and cut out the shape of one-half of the joint, then open the fold and the entire ellipse will be made. When this paper is cut, a sharp knife is used, otherwise a ragged edge will be made and a good finish of joint is impossible. The paper is now pasted and put on the pipe. The surplus paste on the edge of the paper should be wiped off with the fingers before the paper is put on the pipe.

This prevents any paste squeezing out on the joint. The branch is now taken and perfectly fitted into the run. The end is cleaned with the shave hook and paper is pasted on the pipe, leaving 1-1/8 inches of cleaned surface for wiping. The paste and the paper should now be allowed to dry. The position for wiping this joint is to have the run horizontal and the branch on an angle of 45 pointing away from the wiper. Figure 30 will bring out the above explanation very vividly.

SUPPORTING.--The run of this joint is laid flat on the table and the branch inserted in its proper place. With one hand hold it in place, with the other, use the bending iron, tap the collar on the run against the branch, wedging it in place good and strong so that no solder can leak through. If the branch is tapered with the rasp as shown the joint can be made very tight. The run of the pipe is now laid on two bricks as was done with the horizontal joint. The branch is laid over on a pile of bricks or wood at an angle of 45.

The best way to secure this joint is to pour some half-molten solder on the ends of pipe and brick, making a solder clamp. This branch does not need any clamp or weight if it is properly entered into the run. A strap of solder can be run over the end of pipe if found necessary. Place the catch pan under the joint and then the pipe will be ready to wipe.

WIPING.--In wiping this joint, the catch cloth is used not only to catch the solder as it drops off from the pipe, but also to hold the hot solder against the pipe to heat the under side of the joint. Test the solder and see if it is the correct heat for wiping. If so, prepare for wiping. After heating the ladle, take some solder in it and proceed to drop the molten solder on the joint. The ladle is moved constantly as the solder is dropped on the run and then on the branch to get the entire joint to the proper heat. As the solder drops off from the joint, it is caught on the catch cloth and brought up on the top of the joint where it is re-melted by dropping hot solder on it. Then the hot solder is held in the cloth against the under side of the joint to get the under side properly heated. The solder is worked around all parts of the joint. When the heat is got up sufficiently and the solder works freely around the joint, the branch cloth is taken and each edge of the joint is wiped clean. Any surplus solder is brought up on top of the joint and then wiped on the catch cloth. This solder is then put on the under side of the joint. With the branch cloth reach way around the joint and wipe each side, bringing the cloth each time to the top and then off the joint. The last wipe is directly across the top, wiping off any surplus solder that may have acc.u.mulated from wiping the sides. The difficulty with this joint is in getting the top and bottom to have an equal amount of solder. With a little practice and by watching each motion your faults can be noted and remedied. If the paper starts to come off, it should be re-papered at once. When the joint is finished, it should be left in position until the solder has had time to set and cool, otherwise the branch will break off and considerable time will be lost in correcting the trouble.

POINTS TO REMEMBER.--

_First_, the use of the tap borer.

_Second_, the use of the bending irons.