Soldered copper roof - how much solder?

Maybe someone who=92s in that business could give you a quick answer:

Doug sez: "So, finally, I get to my question: I figure I'm going to have about 50 feet of seams to solder. How many pounds of solder should I plan on needing to do the job?"

The better question would relate to heat, fux and cleanliness. If proerly pepared, surprisingly little solder is required.

Bob Swinney

I need to repair a flat metal roof over a bay window. Replace it, actually. Original construction used galvanized steel, 55 years ago. The steel has rusted through, as I discovered to my dismay last week when water began dripping into the house. Temporarily, the leaks are patched with tar. When the weather warms up, and I can depend on a few consecutive warm dry days, I intend to rip the whole flat roof out, replace the water-damaged wood decking and framing, and roof it with copper as it should have been done in 1955. Pics will be posted when the project is finished.

On Thu, 25 Feb 2010 10:22:32 -0600, the infamous "Robert Swinney" scrawled the following:

pepared, surprisingly

Don't forget flatness/closeness of the joint. Flat, close plates meld with much less solder than gapers do. Angle comes into play on a roof, too. How much will roll off with 3 degrees too much heat?

I wish he were closer. I'd love to help with that job just for the experience with copper.

-- "Politics is the art of looking for trouble, finding it whether it exists or not, diagnosing it incorrectly, and applying the wrong remedy." -- Ernest Benn

pepared, surprisingly

So where are ya, Larry? I'd love to have some help...

I'm in Indianapolis.

Strap sez:

"Don't forget flatness/closeness of the joint. Flat, close plates meld with much less solder than gapers do. Angle comes into play on a roof, to. How much will roll off with 3 degrees too much heat?"

All are included under "proper preparation", Bob Swinney

pepared, surprisingly

I wish he were closer. I'd love to help with that job just for the experience with copper.

-- "Politics is the art of looking for trouble, finding it whether it exists or not, diagnosing it incorrectly, and applying the wrong remedy." -- Ernest Benn

I don't know the solder answer. But, as a former (you never really lose it) volunteer fire fighter, be sure to have a hose at hand in case something gets lit up.

As a WAG, I'd start with two pounds on hand.