How to do wiped joint in lead waste pipe?

[Danfoto]

I'm just old enough to remember watching an old boy replace a lead trap on a lead kitchen sink waste with a new lead trap and was trying to explain the procedure to The Lady Wife. Two problems though - I can't remember exactly how wiped joints were done, and neither can I remember what the material (cloth) was with which they were wiped.

There doesn't seem to be anything on YouTube, so does anybody know of a video online showing the process, or else something like step-by-step diagrams?

 

[ecowarm]

mole skin ......... but no mole was ever harmed in any way

 

[ecowarm]

YouTube - P Trap Old How to wipe Hot lead in new Connection part 1

not watched it yet still loading

 

[Danfoto]

Cheers ecowarm. Moleskin's the stuff which has a short pile on one side isn't it? Like what some old boys out in the sticks use to have trousers made of?

And well done with that video. I mush have been using all the wrong search terms

 

[ecowarm]

so info here Wiping Branch Joints

its American but basics the same

Still not watched the utube link not working

 

[ecowarm]

We used tallow as a kind of flux a shave hook for cleaning the pipe, a turnpin for opening the end of pipe and I used to have a double ended clamp for holding the pipes in different angles but can't remember if it had a special name, must have inhalled to many lead fumes

 

[Bernie2]

Hmm! Yes ecowarm is about right we did the same.

The thing with waste pipes though was that the lead was very thin and required you to have good heat control i.e not playing the blowlamp on the job to long or you burnt holes in the pipe. You could use either standard wiped joints or finger joints. Usually you aimed to tin the pipe and the trap first then solder them together. I suppose its one of those jobs your better showing how to do than explaining.

 

[ecowarm]

the finger joints you refer to were called scotch or welch joints round here. I hope that is not racist in any way, im talking over 30yrs ago

 

[tipintim]

And taff joints if i remember correctly.

 

[Bernie2]

We called them finger joints in the Merseyside area.

 

[justlead1]

Similar to the joint used by gas board, when connecting tails/unions to gas meter. But a little more robust.

 

[Danfoto]

Sorry, but you guys have lost me now. What's a finger joint?

 

[Reg Man]

Used to use a Pudlock to hold the pipes in position so that the joint could be wipped, tallow (refined Lard), mole skin (Tick cotton pad soaked with tallow), Plumbers metal (silver and lead stick) and if you wanted to be really smart plumbers black (paint) to keep the ends of the joint neat.

 

[Danfoto]

and if you wanted to be really smart plumbers black (paint) to keep the ends of the joint neat.

So that was to stop the solder spreading i.e. worked in the opposite way to the flux?

Any idea what plumbers black was/is?

 

[Reg Man]

It was a bit like blackboard paint, used to mix it from powder or paste with water.

 

[Puddle]

It was a bit like blackboard paint, used to mix it from powder or paste with water.

It was also a apprentice initiation tool,the older plumbers would whip down ya trousers and paint your balls and willy with it,could not get it off for weeks !!!

 

[WHPES]

Hmm very disturbing.... presume whether it happened depended whether the older plumbers in question were pervs or not!

 

[ecowarm]

Not allowed to do it anymore

 

[Reg Man]

Not allowed to do it anymore

What wipe lead Joints? LOL

 

[justlead1]

Is Big brother changing the name "Plumber" to "Plastics"?

 

[Reg Man]

Is Big brother changing the name "Plumber" to "Plastics"?

I think most in the industry went from being plumbers (Lead Worker) to cuprumers (Copper Worker), Don,t think there will be a latin word for plastic.

 

[WHPES]

Perfectly legal to make a wiped lead joint as long as it isn't in a potable water system.

 

[justlead1]

I wonder what the H&Safety would have to say regarding wiped joints in to days world. Burning myself on a daily basis whilst "Trying"to learning the skill
has turned into a waste of time. Although not the preferred method, has come in handy over the years and saved a few folk replumbing the whole house.