Advice on press fit tools

[Fusion]

Hi All
Looking to purchase a press fit tool and considering many brands. I don’t do a lot of pipe work, so don’t need a heavy duty one. Hot works are becoming a thing of the past.
Any recommendations?

 

[ShaunCorbs]

Novopress aco103

 

[exedon2]

All our press gear is Rems never had a problem
5 years warranty if registered on line within 30 days.

 

[Fusion]

Novopress aco103

Thanks Shaun, that’s one of my options. I will only be working on copper up to 28mm. The kit with 15, 22 & 28mm jaws seems. Good option. Do I buy new or used????

 

[ShaunCorbs]

Thanks Shaun, that’s one of my options. I will only be working on copper up to 28mm. The kit with 15, 22 & 28mm jaws seems. Good option. Do I buy new or used????

I would go new

You can rent them cheap enough for the first couple to see if you like before you buy etc

 

[Fusion]

I would go new

You can rent them cheap enough for the first couple to see if you like before you buy etc

Thanks Shaun, that’s good advice. I might hire one and buy some fittings and make a frame up as a test rig.

 

[fowlerboi]

Try using it on site first. I had a job specified as fully pressfit in an old house in floors and ceilings and for the first week was cursing like hell as I thought it was awful.

I still think its awful but no where near as bad after 3weeks, after using it on possibly the worst situation for it you can get a feel of how useful it will be. It is by no means quicker than soldering unless you have tons of space.

I was borrowing a rems with the angled jaws for the tight stuff, angled jaws are a must and not all brands make them so choose wisely.

 

[Fusion]

Thank you. I think I will try one out first before committing to such expensive item.

 

[exedon2]

I will say straight away I don't personally do repair work (have others to do that) install only.
I haven't done any hot work in customers properly for over 4 years
Would agree angled jaws a necessity.
When you really get used to pressing it is fast especially when pipe sizes get bigger.
Press fit looks lovely in a well laid out plant room.

 

[Fusion]

I will say straight away I don't personally do repair work (have others to do that) install only.
I haven't done any hot work in customers properly for over 4 years
Would agree angled jaws a necessity.
When you really get used to pressing it is fast especially when pipe sizes get bigger.
Press fit looks lovely in a well laid out plant room.

Thanks for the advice. The types of repairs will mainly be domestic work. When I have seen press fit on exposed pipe work in buildings, always looks neat. Going off the replies, looks like I am going to have to invest in a tool and a set of the angled jaws.

 

[Jim Goodenough]

Thanks for the advice. The types of repairs will mainly be domestic work. When I have seen press fit on exposed pipe work in buildings, always looks neat. Going off the replies, looks like I am going to have to invest in a tool and a set of the angled jaws.

I've hired from My Store - http://www.mehireuk.com/ if that's any help.

 

[oz-plumber]

As a plumber these days you need one.
I could not operate without one.

It almost standard kit these days to have one.

If you use the tool on a job, make an allowance / charge on the jobs you use it and pay for the tool that way.
Or just double the price of the fittings you use - it will pay for itself rather soon that way.

 

[fowlerboi]

You're probably right but when I think about where I would use it I've got these issues

• Airing cupboards - Bulky fittings would be hard to use in tight spaces and make it a pain in the arse for future maintenance because you can't un-sweat stuff.
• Maintenance work- This would be good to avoid soldering wet pipes but could I live with my self having odd press fit fittings amongst soldered fittings? The answer is no, I would be ashamed.
• Kitchen sinks- Way too bulky and would look awful
• First fix new builds/renovations - most pipework is concealed and is cheaper and easier to use plastic, on the odd occasion customer doesn't want plastic then the selling point of soldered fittings lasting 50 years is more attractive than press fit. Then you have issues with notching copper into joists and not enough depth with the massive fittings you need and space to get the gun in.
• Gas pipes externally- Would look awful because the fittings are massive
• More stock to keep in the van and bring in on jobs

The only positives I can see are

• Flow rates are better if you're on the limit, even more so for gas usage
• Boiler/ plant rooms look good with it but they have a lot more space to operate in.
• Gas pipes in roof spaces to avoid having to solder
• Secondary returns
• Good for commercial when the aesthetic isn't as much of a concern and hot work permits

For my work I can't see how I would earn more using one and the costs for it would take ages to recoup. A lot of my work is sold to the customer as soldered copper as its tried and tested and will last longer than they are in the house. If they didn't want that then push fit is much cheaper and quicker which is probably what the customer is after.

 

[IND_Nick]

We've switched over to Press Fit for a few years and it has many benefits. There's still the odd occasion where I will solder but for ease generally the press fit is first choice.
All out 1st fix is done in MLCP 16/20 and 25mm. It uses a U jaw fitting but is as easy to install as push fit but looks way better and appears to be more reliable as it's never failed, to date! Ha
I've got the Rothenberger Compact tool as it was on a deal at time with fittings, I find it way lighter than the lads REMS tools and does the job no problem, obviously everyone will have their own opinions on brands etc.
Fittings are more expensive, similar though to push fit, but if bought in bulk they aren't too bad and just need to make sure the cost is covered when invoicing.
Definitely worth considering if you do a lot pipework.