hit a road block need some help

[jackson98]

i have hit a road block in my first build. i got everything i need for the build but now when i try to solder my cap onto my column it will fall off with any decent bump or hit from anything and is to fragile to have on. I was hoping that only of yall could help me, either tell me how im doing it wrong or a better way of doing it.

my 2" cap which i'm trying to solder onto my column

[Kentucky shinner]

let me try, it looks like maybe your building a bokakob. If so you dont want to solder the cap on and you need to drill a 1/4" vent in it also. If your building another type column that needs a cap soldered on then you need to turn the cap over and then solder it.
what kind of column are you trying to build. I see a condenser laying in the background so I just assumed it was a bok.

[Kentucky shinner]

nice looking jig you have for winding your coils on.

[SIXFOOTER]

Looks like your not getting it clean enough to take the solder. Use some fine grit paper and clean the copper until its shiny. Then coat with flux, apply heat indirectly, not right on the joint and apply the solder. Let the solder run into the joint and don't let it get to hot.

[Kentucky shinner]

yes as Sixfooter said, you have to make sure it is really clean. sand it good with fine sand paper then flux it good and your solder should stick. when you get it soldered good you will not be able to knock it off.

[jackson98]

no not a bokakob im building a LM, the cap has a hole and a tee inside so ill be the collection cup and any thing that i don't take off will fall back down the column. then i have a 1' section that will solder onto the top of the cap to put my condenser in. when i do try soldering it, i use 220 grit sand paper with a sander and it is completely shinny, i just got done trying and haven't cleaned it thats why it looks so bad

[still crazy]

From the look of your copper your using way too much heat.
Rough it up good 80 grit paper or plumbers roll.
Flux both faces heat indirectly when the flux bubbles its bought ready bit more heat and stick it with your solder its 2" so chase your heat with your solder
if your flux blackens stop and re-shine re-flux and keep at it once it
you should be able to keep enough heat from inside the caps cup after heating the 2" pipe and getting a tack started

[rad14701]

If you are attempting to solder then it looks like you're using too much heat and not enough flux... My copper never discolors like that...

[jackson98]

okay soldered it again... praying ill work, sanded it again till it was shinny, then plenty of flux, then heated and applied the solder. letting it cool now hoping itll work this time. KS thanks for the compliment on the jig all it is, is a 2x4 18" sides and 24" length, with a 1/2 copper pipe( tired metal pipe but it was 1/2 inside diameter so for some reason it would make it to big for the condenser to fit inside so had to go with the copper and thanks for the pix this new camera i got for christmas finally came in handy.

[Kentucky shinner]

Looks like you have got it this time.