Solder ring fittings

Solder ring fittings are much easier to use than end feed fittings , especially for the infrequent user. Solder ring fittings are more expensive then end feed and some branded makes are very expensive but the quality of the fittings and the ease of use makes them a favourite amongst non professionals, compression fittings are another alternative. Here we will be looking at the various solder ring fittings available and what they are used for.

Solder ring fitting

You can see here that on the inside of this fitting there are 2 rings of solder, hence the name of solder ring fitting. These fittings are often called "Yorkshire fittings" as they were first manufactured by the "Yorkshire" brand as far back as 1934. Yorkshire fittings are still widely available and are extremely good quality. The solder used in these fittings is now Lead free, which means that they can be used on domestic drinking water pipes.

Solder ring stop end

A solder ring stop end would be used to cap off a pipe. Solder ring stop ends are normally available in 8mm, 10mm, 15mm, 22mm and 28mm

Solder ring straight connector

A straight connector is used to join two pieces of pipe together. Solder ring straight connectors are available in 8mm, 10mm, 15mm, 22mm and 28mm These are also available as metric-imperial converters in sizes 15mm to1/2 inch or 22mm to 3/4 inch

Solder ring slip connector

Slip connectors as their name suggests can slip right over the pipe and can be slid all the way over the pipe. A normal connector cannot do this because it has an in built pipe stop. If you ever have to cut and join a copper pipe that is fixed at both ends you will need two of these fittings. These fittings are considerably more expensive than a normal straight connector. Solder ring slip connectors are available in 15mm, 22mm and 28mm

Solder ring elbow

Elbows are useful when you require a 90 degree bend as they can be used instead of bending the pipe, which can be a slow process. You also get a much tighter radius if you use an elbow as opposed to a bend, but this can mean that the water cannot travel through the bend as fast as a long sweeping bend. Solder ring elbows are available in 8mm, 10mm, 15mm, 22mm and 28mm

Solder ring obtuse bend

These are useful if you require a bend that is not as severe as an elbow. Solder ring obtuse bends are available in 8mm, 10mm, 15mm, 22mm and 28mm

Solder ring full crossover

A full crossover is very useful if you need to pass one pipe over another pipe. These can also be used to go around objects that are fixed before the plumbing. Solder ring full crossover's are available in 15mm, 22mm and 28mm

Solder ring tap connector

Solder ring straight tap connectors would be used to connect sink, basin or bath taps up to the domestic water supply. Solder ring tap connectors are normally available in 15mm x 1/2 inch, 15mm x 3/4 inch and 22mm x 3/4 inch.

Solder ring bent tap connector

Solder ring bent tap connectors would be used to connect sink, basin or bath taps up to the domestic water supply. Solder ring tap connectors are normally available in 15mm x 1/2 inch, 15mm x 3/4 inch and 22mm x 3/4 inch.

Solder ring reducing coupler

These are used to reduce the pipe size from a larger size to a smaller size. The reducer in the picture is a 22mm to 15mm, it may be necessary to use a couple of couplers together to get the required reduction. These come in various sizes for most copper pipe.

Solder ring equal Tee

Equal Tee's would be used to branch off from a pipe using the same size pipe. All three openings are the same size, hence the name equal Tee. Solder ring equal Tee's are available in 8mm, 10mm, 15mm, 22mm and 28mm