Propress questions

S Ebels

For those of you who have/use the Propress system.....

Do you have the 110V version or the cordless model and do you wish you had the other one for any reason?

Have you found that you wind up in situations where you can't access the fitting because of the size of the tool?

What sizes of tube have you used it on?

Would you invest in the system again?

Do you find any variance at all in fitting prices amongst distributors who carry the line?

Do you feel it pays for the smaller sizes of tube like 1/2" and 3/4"?

Have you had any problems with sealing the joints? leaks?

heatboy

Wonderful tool, Steve.

We have the cordless model and it's the one you want. The corded model is very heavy to use. The cordless has an swivel head that can be rotated up to 90° to fit in tight areas. Can't do that with the 110VAC version.

We have used it up to 1.5". I know The Milne boys and Gregg Jackson from RI reularly do 4". I have yet to have a leak, even with the hundreds of close quarters crimps on our panels.

Make sure you distributor has $20K of inventory AT HIS BRANCH. Even so, you should have stock of your own for service and any changes made on site.

For service, it is a God send. No worry about water. Cut the pimp and crimp away. Fast. Amazingly so. At least 5 times faster than soldering with none of the prep or clean up. Time savings for both you and your client.

We will be getting another one soo. On for each of us. I can't get the damn thing out of Jason's hands!

hb

To Learn More About This Professional, Click Here to Visit Their Ad in "Find A Professional"

Wayco Wayne_2

I just got

one 2 weeks ago. It's a real time saver. Fittings are more exsiensive Some by x 1.7, some by more than x 2. But the time saved is priceless. I am constantly running behind and the less time spent on soldering the better. I put together a panel the other day that I usually allow 4 hours for and was done in 2 hours. I didn't know what to do with myself I walked around in circles looking at the panel, feeling like I couldn't be done yet. A little vigilance is needed to avoid tight places. You can make the joint and then put it in place. I use 1.5 and down, mostly 1 iinch and 3/4. I found some deep organizers by Stanley to organise and take my fittings with me at a moments notice. It's a big chunk of change to get set up at first but IMHO it is already worth it. WW

To Learn More About This Professional, Click Here to Visit Their Ad in "Find A Professional"

Bob_29

We are a distributor for propress and I've found that the guys who really like it seem to do alot of hydronic work. I've seen a large surge of use and sales on both the tool and the fittings. Some guys are using it on every job they can. I've seen it in action and the time savings are immense. You should be able to get a demo from your local wholesaler through their Ridgid rep which can show you the pluses on both the corded and cordless version.
Good luck.

John Felciano

propress

I agree with the other replies.It's a huge timesaver.I've done joints from 1/2 up to 2" and it's just amazing.I've also done joints where the water wasn't able to drain down to more than a trickle and everything worked fine.Haven't had a leak yet.It is difficult to get it into some tight spots but with a little pre planning you shouldn't have any problem.We have the battery version.

The only problem is the availability of fittings around here.Their is only one supplier stocking them and they are an hour away,so we've been forced to carry a higher stock than I'd like,and at the cost of fittings it's expensive.

Valves are one fitting that isn't available with propress connections on them and have to have stubs soldered on first,a bit of a pain.

Between the propress and my T drill we're doing boiler piping thats fast and great looking.Just don't know why I waited so long to get one.

Kal Row

i dont have one yet - but

i use "seductive" (;-)) reasoning

rigid tools is a division of Emerson electric - a well known and publicly traded company - there is no way, they could have bought into the Italian Veiga corp. without some serious due diligence – it’s the law for shareholder protection – so it has to be the best thing since sliced bread

next: O-rings as long as they are not carrying carry a mechanical load, will hold amazing pressures, in fact the less they are compressed the more pressure they can hold – it’s molecular strength against square inches – I’l explain: we go back to the law of hydraulics, which states that the pressure in a cylinder is evenly distributed in all directions – so if you apply a pound of force to a 1sq” piston that’s connected to a 1000sq” piston you get 1000lbs output (of course only 1000th as much movement) – a good phonograph needle contacts the record with 1.5 grams of force – nevertheless the load it’s carrying, at that point and area of contact, is the same, as, that same amount of square micro inches, out of the bottom pillars of there World Trade Center, were carrying, – which brings us back to O-rings – the strength of the rubber for the amount it’s holding back actually increases as you get smaller, a large one even if you squeeze it a lot cant hold back as much force as a small one just-just making contact like a phonograph needle – the squeezing, cant even come close to increasing the molecular strength enough, as compared to less square inches – while squeezing an o-ring may increases it’s loading capacity linearly at best, decreasing the contact point decreases the contact point force required by a SQUARE factor (the SQUARE inches being the key word here)

now: in the pro-press fitting the o-ring is in a recessed grove that holds most of the diameter of the ring – the crimper, slightly kinks the pipe, so that it cant move axially or radialy - the kink will also keep garbage away from the o-ring, so it should last forever

they could have used spring clips and two o-rings like they use in automotive AC – which the advantage of being removable – but is more expensive and slower – so you have to cut out a section, that you want to change – big deal

a biggest problem I see, is space – the fittings will force you to spread out manifold designs, that could be a major bummer in tight spaces

hr

My only concern

is the o ring. It's a small contact area to put a lot of trust in. I have seen what weird ph levels can do to rubber/ EPDM materials, swollen pump gaskets, etc. I think this is another reason to keep an eye on what's in your water.

Check out the REMS brand also. Seems more versitile, Looks to me like the Wirsbo, Stadler, and many other pex crimp jaws fit one REMS machine. They also offer 4 versions with that swivel head available in corded or uncorded versions.

The tool I want REMS to build me is the one that could roll that groove into the tube I bend with my CURVO. Then I could build my own press fittings and pipe couplers, on the jobsite

Then I am out of the soldering and fitting portion of the job completly!

If in fact Graingers is stocking fittings that is a mere two day UPS drop to just about anywhere. Order online 24 hours a day.

hot rod



To Learn More About This Professional, Click Here to Visit Their Ad in "Find A Professional"

Floyd_5

here...

http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/wwg/viewCatalogPDF.shtml?browserCompatable=true&adobeCompatable=true&CatPage=3253

My main concern was the availability of the fittings.
With them @ Grainger that's not a problem. Next is the o-ring business.....
Would like to get a head for my new Wirsbo multicore tool they look to be the same... and try some.

Where can I just buy the heads???

S Ebels

Hot Rod

I have this nagging thought re: o-rings in the back of my head also. I don't know however what exact material they are made of... rubber? EPDM?

I also know that Viega makes darn good products and that these crimp type fittings are used by the million across the pond on all types of pipe ranging from pex to stainless.

The Grainger thing is what got me thinking. The distributor that has the fittings and tools in my area doesn't have a lot of inventory so I had pretty much forgot about it until I saw it in the new catalog. We have a retrofit job this summer that we have to run over 1,000 ft of inch and half copper in side of some underground duct. That really got me thinking. Can't see soldering inside of a 200 foot long duct. Probably die from the fumes and smoke.

Leo says the Rems tool is about 1/2 the weight of the Ridgid and the Ridgid jaws will fit right on it. Probably go that way.

S Ebels

As yet

The only place you can get the heads is from a Ridgid distributor. Rems is about 3 months away from approval on theirs. Just a paperwork delay. Their tool is already in use by the thousands over in Europe on literally dozens of brands of fittings. The ridgid folks say there is no warranty on the fittings unless you use their tool but that's a bunch of BS. They took Rems to court twice in Europe and lost both times.

hr

The Graingers

connection make it more doable for me too! I have been very impressed with the quality of REMS tools I have owned over the years. The Viessmann of power tools!

I'll bet REMS would demo, as would Ridgid. Let the tool speak for itself. I like REMS offers both D handle and pistol grips versions, nice touch.

Weight is a big deal to me as I age! Boilers, tools, waistline, etc!

hot rod

To Learn More About This Professional, Click Here to Visit Their Ad in "Find A Professional"

Kal Row

man, us wetheads and o-rings....

old beliefs and habits die hard

but as long as you dont cock the pipe, nick the o-ring, or get oil on it, it WILL hold 20000psi, and if you do, do any of the above - it wont hold 5 inches - so at least you will know right away if it failed - i have done enough hydraulic repair in my life to know this

ScottMP

We got called back for a leak

on a Super-Stor we had installed four months back. Oil company had to purge the zone and said the joint we installed was leaking. Turns out one of us (intials are JCA ) forgot to press the pro ! The joint held under 17lbs of preasure on the coil side.

We have found it to be a valuable tool and Yes its tough to get Chris to let the others play with it.

We have the cordless version and stock 1/2" thru 1" fittings. Came in pretty handy during freeze up weather.

Heres one of the first jobs we did with the ProPress. We borrowed the tool from my supplier and after this job told them we wer'nt giving it back and they should buy another one for them. This is 2 1/2" and has been running for about two years now.

Scott

To Learn More About This Professional, Click Here to Visit Their Ad in "Find A Professional"

Bob Gagnon plumbing and heating

how long ?

will it last? dosen't rubber dry and crack after 10 to 20 years? i'll keep my solder and torch. bob

To Learn More About This Professional, Click Here to Visit Their Ad in "Find A Professional"

Kal Row

real rubber exposed to air does

but they use composite material doused in silicone, that, and the roll crimp outside of the o-ring, combine, to keep the elements away from it

it's the Ozone in the air that kills rubber, since we are not driving stuff with this like tires, it doesnt have to be real sticky, so the real rubber content in it is low enough that we dont have to worry about it

that why you never buy an expensive copier for a business, a copier lives on rubber, and produces it's own ozone and after 24 months is useless, so you do a 24 month lease and have a nice day

Billy_3

apollo

Apollo makes valves that you can use with the pro press.

Phil_6

Graingers

When I found out here last week about graingers I did a little dance. The only supplier on Long Island and NYC that I found carried them is Davis and Warshaw and their inventory sucks. Ask for 50 1/2" elbows and they have 23.They will only sell by the package,they say, but always have an odd number in stock.
With Grainger you call them up and tomorrow they're here. Thanks for the tip, whoever it was :-)

Phil

Kal Row

also from grainger.com

i you use tekmar relays the same omron relays
and sockets - are avail from them - for less

2W920 relay - tekmar relay (24v coil 2PDT)
2A192 relay - same thing but with coil light
5X852 sockets
6X295 din rail - 1 meter long din rail easy to cut
the din mounts makes it easy to wire up the socket with the relay then snap into place - and 4in deep box can hold it

Dave Palmer_3

borrowed

one from my supplier (Thanks FW WEBB)to fix a 1" baseboard leak today.I did 6 fittings in under 2 minutes,not rushing.Going to take it next week to do a replacement boiler to see if its worth it.It was the 120 model,no pro reaching around in BB cover.Dave

J.C.A._3

Hey Dave,

Glad you liked it. I can't even begin to explain the pluses in this tool. Everyone in the shop is getting to use it for one reason or another, and loving it.

Scott says he has to pry it from my hands, but as a rule, I try to leave it in the shop for general use.(I will however confess to bringing it to a few places that I didn't need it.) It's kind of like a gun...Better to have it and NOT need it, than NEED it, and NOT have it. Chris

Dave Palmer_3

hey Chris

just trying to justify it.I can get a real sweet deal on 120v model with 1/2 to 2" tongs and case.You guys use it on all installs?My thinking is most of the time i'm working alone and time is always a factor when doing a job and keeping quality at its highest.My other question you get a small bur on one side when you press?Is it in your truck always or just installs?later Dave

J.C.A._3

Dave,

I've used it on a pile of installs, but don't dump the torch just yet.

The "Burr" you refer to seems to me to be only on 1" and above. I've also learned that when it seems to "stick" on fittings, they'll show a burr. I've been told to spray the offending jaws with PAM, or some type of "non-stick cooking spray".

I haven't experienced the 120V unit. We bought the cordless right after using it for a large job, and the time saved since has more than paid for it.

Don't be shy. Give it a whirl! I've learned to accept anything that makes my job a bit easier, The Pro-Press is but 1 of the tools I've learned to swear by (as oppsed to swear AT!).

Am I going to be seeing you at Timmies tomorrow? Chris

Dave Palmer_3

nope

I've got to work for a living:) naa 2 guys are sick so I'm piled up,tough when its a small crew and still cold weather.Have a good time and say hi to him.Learn alot,so do you use it on all replacements?Dave

ChrisL

Propress

I will agree with everyone that the Propress is a real time saver. I have the cordless, and the dual swiveling head will reach in a lot of tight situations. The only negative is the weight. The box with tool and tongs for 1/2-2" weighs a ton...maybe 75 lbs. The tool itself with one tong on it is also a bit heavy, but the advantages of the tool make up for it.

Chris L

Steve_45

Pro Press

Does the pro press work on the thin tubing of finned
baseboard or is baseboard pipe to thin?

Rocky

Have used it on 1/2\" to 4\"

Just got off a job where we used it almost exclusively on 2-1/2", 3", and 4" copper. Literally dozens and dozens of 4" fittings. All mostly in a tight utilidor. Not one leak yet. Unfortunately, I have more stock at my shop than my supplier does. Plan meticulously if you are going to use it on your jobs so that you can get the right fittings in and not rely on your supplier having them on their shelf. If you don't, you can end up with a Frankenstein looking install...1/2 Propress, 1/2 sweat.
Enjoy,
Rocky

Kenny

propress..........

I agree with HB on the stock issue. If your supplier doesn't have a major investment in stock don't bother buying a tool. I also got our supplier to commit to a "hard" multiplier - meaning that i pay the same price for one fitting as I did when I stocked our trucks and shop. My advice is to commit to the whole system when you can afford it. We bought three 120V tools and a cordless - thanks to my supplier (FW WEbb) helping with extended payment option. The cordless comes in handy but is very slow and won't work in real cold weather. I can honestly say that it is the best invetsment I have made yet. We routinely do large boiler rooms with 3 and 4 inch fittings and the labor savings are tremendous. Nothing better than doing a 4" valve replacement on the fly - under 70-80 pounds of pressure! Did it, got wet and would do it again just to say we did! The only downfall is that the tool is so heavy. You get used to it and its worth not having leaks. The only leaks we've seen is when we forget a crimp - which is easily crimped without any draining, cleaning,etc. I'll try to find some pics of some good commercial apps.

Gregg

Kenny

oh yeah...........

I spent one cold night fixing a freeze up in an apartment with baseboard. Just me, my propress and some couplings at 3 AM. So, yes it does work on thin wall pipe.....

GJACK

Mike T., Swampeast MO

I used to work on copy machines and would have agreed until the last 15 years or so--even though replacement rollers were generally fairly easy to obtain and replace.

Specified a really good HP printer (essentially the same as a copy machine) for use by my club over 10 years ago after wearing out a cheapie in short order...

Have only replaced a few common parts ONCE and BEFORE there was a problem.

Just duplex (two-side) printed over 1,000 pages of documentation for new voice mail system--not a single misfeed. Printer is now on it's 4th or 5th computer and still makes perfect images.

In my experience, most copier problems come from:

1) Lack of cleaning and normal maintenance.

2) Machines that are too fast for their own good (if you want high speed it STILL costs big $$$s).

3) Insufficient use. High volume machines are MADE to produce LOTS of copies. Savin liquid toner machines were notorious in this area.

------------------------------

Don't know the material of those o-rings, but if it is EPDM that's some really rugged stuff. Even in roofing applications in polluted areas life of a high-grade EPDM roof is considered "indeterminate". Resource Conservation Technology (who makes a REALLY good EPDM roof) insists that there has never been a failure in a properly applied, high grade roof.