Welding copper pipe

[Frank Sauer]

I'm starting to buy materials for the Charles 803 still and have heard that welding is better for a continuous run still. I'm having trouble finding information about welding copper. The information I am finding is very specific about what the alloys are in the copper your welding and I'm not sure what the water pipe I will be buying is composed of. At $28 ft. for copper pipe I'm not sure I want to just take my chances it will work out. Anyone out there have any experience they can pass on about welding type L or M copper pipe?  

Thanks

[Karl Ramsey]

A

refrigeration supply company should be able to set you up with a silver content brazing rod that wont require flux.  The stuff they use to assemble air conditioners at the factory.  One of those burnzamatic torches that use mapp gas should give you enough heat & they burn clean enough too.  To prevent a black scale from forming on the inside nitrogen (use just enough flow to eliminate the o2 If there is any pressure that will cause pin hole in your joint) is used to purge oxygen from the surface, otherwise it takes a bit of effort to remove  with a wire brush..... Other inert gases may work as well like those used in mig welding.... Hope that helps you

   Karl Ramsey

[Frank Sauer]

Thanks guys for your response. I bought the rod Karl described and will give it a try.

[Thurmond Moore III]

You can TIG weld copper but as stated refrigeration copper is usually brazed with a silver alloy hard solder and is sufficient for a Charles 803.