Viega Pro-Press versus Nibco equivalent

Paul Rohrs_4

With larger diameter fittings and tolerances? We started a job today with 2½" fittings and the tolerances were simply not acceptable. ¼" to ½" "play" in fittings are difficult to hold plumb and level and make look neat. We ultimately did not use them and Matt and I ran to pick up 2½ sweat fittings. I will post job pictures next week. I have been very happy with the ½-2 Viega fittings, not familiar with the Nibco and have not been approached.

Is the concensus that they are an apples to apples comparison but the Nibco's are less $$$$$ ?.

Regards,

PR

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Brad White_9

Viega or Nibco?

Hey gang-

Question for you: Fast track job just bid and about to be awarded. I allowed the use of Viega Pro-Press as allowable means and methods for joining copper 2 inch and under. Contractor seemed relieved and the less hot work the better. Now they tell me that they are actually going to use the Nibco equivalent system (I forget the name).

Can any of you enlighten me based on your actual experience? I am not obligated to accept any of the compression systems (we own solder joints) but want the job to go smoothly. It is a summer job in a school and the less time on site/more they get done before end of August, the better.

I understand the loyalty expressed to Viega for their product support. I also want to hear from Nibco users the good and bad if any. Not disparaging either, but I just do not know.

TIA,

Brad

Jerry_15

Very interested to hear about this. There is also a cash-acme system that just slides on without a tool. A little scary to me, but I love my pro-press.

Ron Huber_2

virtually the same

Have been using the press sytem for 3.5 years. Veiga and Nibco have no difference. Started using the Nibco based on price, cannot tell the difference between the two regardless from what a rep will tell you.

Mitch_6

Ron, Recently got

my pro press compact. Works great (cost alot, Veiga stock is hard to get and expensive.

Do you use the same pro press on both Nebco and Veiga.

Thanks

Mitch S.

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Ron Huber

compatibility

My Rigid jaws from 3.5 years ago work with both Veiga and Nibco, however, if you buy a Rigid tool today, get the Jaws that are universal for all makes of press fittings that are on the market and ones that will be on the market soon, the ones that I have will not be approved for Elkhart etc. . Rigid companies deal with Veiga ends Feb 2007, so Rigid will not be promoting any one fitting system because the universal jaw set will work and be approved for any brand fittings. Good to be a Rigid rep. REMS makes a press tool but it is gear driven as opposed to Rigids Hydraulic driven system, I see less potential problems with the Hydraulic system.

Jerry_15

Great feedback guys. I am joined at the hip to my pro-press, but the fittings are only carried by one supplier. I must carry full inventory on the truck, even though there are other supply houses in the area. I think there were issues with Rigid. Home Depot maybe, who knows. Looking forward to hearing some more of this discourse.

Mitch_6

How do I tell

if my jaws are universal. I have to sets of 1/2" to 1". One set is for stadler pex and the other is for the copper can I use those jaws on nebco etc.

Mitch S.

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Ron Huber

apples to apples-depends

wholesaler to wholesaler prices may vary. But with our supply house the Nibco fittings are less. And the fittings are the same. And yes, if you are putting together a long manifold you do need to support the array as you press the fittings between hangers. Where did you find 2 1/2" Pipe, and fittings?

Ron Huber

Veiga & Nibco

sounds like you have the same jaws as me, they are approved for veiga and Nibco, they leave a mark on the fitting that shows which jawset you used in case of a warrenty problem

Ray Landry_2

Hey Paul I know where you are coming from I did a 2 1/2" job a while back and the amount of play made the labor time for installing hangers for the pipe offset the time we saved by not sweating. I almost never use propress on anything I want to look half way decent. The 2 1/2 and larger fitting are so wobbly because they are cast brass and need to withstand a different pressure rating due to asme standards.

S Ebels

Paul

The larger brass fittings will soon be replaced by copper in those big sizes from what I hear. I have encountered the same difficulty as you with keeping everything level plumb and square with the earth on the 2 1/2" + sizes. Not as handy to work with as the 2" and down. Supposedly the big bore copper fittings will be a little tighter.

AFA ProPress vs Nibco, I've been told that Nibco is making them under license from Viega so the fitting should be the same size wise. Price is virtually the same. I have used them interchangably when I couldn't get Viega and have had no problems at all. We're using Ridge jaws in a Rems tool to boot.