I would solder. You could always practice first on some pieces to gain confidence. Just do what has been mentioned above.
I have a torch, solder, flux, emry cloth and I live in Yukon. Go to Lowes buy some 1/2 copper pipe and some fittings. Shoot me a PM for my address and I'll give you the quick soldering lesson.
Honestly it isn't hard just follow the pointers previously listed. hundred times easier soldering pipe over a wire connection. Only advise I can give is have a clear path to the shutoff or have someone help you. It minimizes the water spray if you didn't get the joint fully soldered.
Honestly it isn't hard just follow the pointers previously listed. hundred times easier soldering pipe over a wire connection. Only advise I can give is have a clear path to the shutoff or have someone help you. It minimizes the water spray if you didn't get the joint fully soldered.
3 houses we looked at when we were buying a house got ticked off the list because I saw compression fittings on pipes.
Clean mating surfaces, flux, and a propane torch. Heat the connector, not the pipe. If you were in Tulsa I would even give you a hand.
Make sure you add a cutoff valve to the supply side. Use a ball valve, not a gate valve, when you absolutely have to turn the water off is when a gate valve will fail.
Clean mating surfaces, flux, and a propane torch. Heat the connector, not the pipe. If you were in Tulsa I would even give you a hand.
Make sure you add a cutoff valve to the supply side. Use a ball valve, not a gate valve, when you absolutely have to turn the water off is when a gate valve will fail.
That's a good point.
Most older homes with compression fitting are the gray polybutelyene (sp?) piping.
The compression rings and fittings on the gray piping is known to corrode at about 20-25 years and develop water leaks. It really sucks with all the hidden in-wall connections.
That's the Achilles heel of the PB piping.
I redid my house with Pex, but I used the home-run method for pipe runs. All connections are at exposed locations like in the water closet or under the sink. No in-wall connections.
Of course, copper piping also corrodes out depending on the water. That's why I had to replace it. Each method has it's own pros/cons.
To each their own.
Good luck.
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I was lazy. I've used the flexible pipe with brass crush rings. bought a crimper tool. and the only thing I had to squese it enough was a good sized bench vise.and a bench vice is very hard to hold up and squeeze at the same time. channel locks didn't work good enough. would probably use copper next time. 
Out standing...
Soldering is easy, I prefer flare fittings over any other. Very easy and very robust joint.
High pressure air fittings on big rigs are flare fittings for a reason.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=lPMHJOgm76M
High pressure air fittings on big rigs are flare fittings for a reason.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=lPMHJOgm76M
