Welcome! Here are the website rules, as well as some tips for using this forum.
Need to contact us? Visit https://heatinghelp.com/contact-us/.
Click here to Find a Contractor in your area.
If our community has helped you, please consider making a contribution to support this website. Thanks!

New press

Options
Snowmelt
Snowmelt Member Posts: 1,455

I have an older press from Ridgid, it can’t be repaired anymore. Ridgid giving me a $500.00 credit towards a new press only. Would you get the 350 or the 351?

Comments

  • Ironman
    Ironman Member Posts: 7,824

    Barrel grip (351) or pistol grip (350). Which do you prefer?

    Bob Boan
    You can choose to do what you want, but you cannot choose the consequences.
    HydronicMike
  • Snowmelt
    Snowmelt Member Posts: 1,455

    iron man, which one is more practical?

  • EdTheHeaterMan
    EdTheHeaterMan Member Posts: 11,495

    What ever you select, there will always be that one place that the other one would work better. Ask me How I Know?

    Pistol grip is ergonomic for doing many fittings like installing a boiler with 5 or more zones

    Edward Young Retired

    After you make that expensive repair and you still have the same problem, What will you check next?

    Ironman
  • Ironman
    Ironman Member Posts: 7,824

    ^^ ^^
    What Ed said.

    The barrel grip may get into some tight places better, but the pistol grip is more ergonomic.

    Either way, you have to think through your piping layout so that you don’t press yourself into a corner.

    Bob Boan
    You can choose to do what you want, but you cannot choose the consequences.
    mattmia2PC7060
  • Alan (California Radiant) Forbes
    Alan (California Radiant) Forbes Member Posts: 4,621
    edited October 22

    I have a Ridgid barrel grip tool and it’s been fine.
    Whichever tool you purchase, get the additional ring set for when you do “press yourself into a corner”.

    https://www.ridgid.com/us/en/rings-for-propress

    8.33 lbs./gal. x 60 min./hr. x 20°ΔT = 10,000 BTU's/hour

    Two btu per sq ft for degree difference for a slab
  • mattmia2
    mattmia2 Member Posts: 15,198

    of course that leads in to you might as well preassemble a bunch of it outside or in an open space and use sweat fittings for that part and save a ton on fittings.

  • HydronicMike
    HydronicMike Member Posts: 219

    I have the barrel grip with the rings. For me that's the best for smaller work, and repairs, and especially for working by yourself. Using rings slows production. But if you already have the regular jaws, get the kit with the barrel grip and the rings, then you'll have both.
    I also have the larger one which is a pistol grip for mega press.

  • Ironman
    Ironman Member Posts: 7,824

    The larger tongs (1-1/2 - 2”) are heavy and make the tool front heavy when used. The pistol grip is better in that scenario. But the barrel grip is better for tight spaces. You decide.

    Bob Boan
    You can choose to do what you want, but you cannot choose the consequences.
    Alan (California Radiant) Forbes
  • PC7060
    PC7060 Member Posts: 1,750
    edited October 22

    I priced a ring sets for a Ridgid barrel grip unit but backed away when I saw cost was about the same price as I paid for the kit with tool and four standard jaws.

  • @PC7060 Yes, but the rings get you out of a lot of jams. With just the tool, you can only work on one plane; the rings offer innumerable angles.

    8.33 lbs./gal. x 60 min./hr. x 20°ΔT = 10,000 BTU's/hour

    Two btu per sq ft for degree difference for a slab
    HydronicMike