ProFlo Press Fittings & Ridgid Press Tool
My company is looking to transition away from brazing water lines and jump into the press world. Any feedback how ProFlo fittings compare to other brand options? We've found ProFlo to be the most cost-effective option, but would like to make sure we're not sacrificing product quality as a result.
Also looking for feedback on Ridgid's RP251 tool. Most of our jobs will be small scale, residential jobs. Both water & ACR applications.
Comments
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only Viega Fittings
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We have some RP240s. The best money we ever spent.
Haven't filled the gas in the torch since we bought the ProPress.
I have nightmares about trying to get the water out of copper at 8pm to solder…. Hours of time wasted. Now it's in and out in ten minutes.
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Viega Press fittings or nothing! I've used Nibco in a pinch, but there is a noticeable difference in the quality. The only issue i've ever had wasn't the Viega fitting, it was imported 1 1/4 copper on an emergency boiler change out. Since then it's only been domestic copper and Viega fittings. Just prep you ends correctly and mark your depth once you insert the pipe. You get the hang of it quickly.
Owner of Grunaire Climate Solutions. Check us out under the locate a contractor section. Located in Detroit area.
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it somehow took me decades to figure out that a shop vac is your friend here
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How come I never thought of that? Maybe in a few more decades I would have?
Thank you mattmia2 !!
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My "B" tank and "MC" tank haven't moved since I started using ProPress.
All of the Ridgid press tools are great. Viega fittings I have found to be superior.
What sold me completely was when I prepped a four inch copper water main that couldn't be shut off completely. With water flowing through the pipe, I pressed a four inch valve on in as little as thirty minutes.
With a torch, that job would have taken half a day if not an entire day. Not to mention the inconvenience that was avoided for the occupants of the building not having to be shut down all of that time.
@nbeauregard You will like the propress tool and fittings for both ACR and plumbing.
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Had the same issue with 2" copper imported from England.
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I'd say the only real thing to look at is what size pipe do you typically press. Went with the Milwaukee M-12 great for copper up to 1 1/4 and gas pipe up to 1". This is 95% of the size I work with and the tool was much lighter. The drawback is without the Milwaukee M18 I can't do IPS pipes over 1". For the 5% I just rent the larger Press Tool for a day. We used it to make repairs on a 3" steam main and it was a life saver. Traditional methods of cutting and threading would have made the job take double the time. I like the concept of the ACR press stuff, just not sure If i want to invest in that with all the other AL2 stuff I need to get
Owner of Grunaire Climate Solutions. Check us out under the locate a contractor section. Located in Detroit area.
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Nice the M12 can do 1”; the Ridgid 240 is limited to 3/4 mega press. But otherwise great tool. I’ve had very good success with both Viega and JW fitting. With MegaPress; Viega is only option.
Jaws don’t last forever; if you start to get leaky crimps; replace the jaw.0 -
if you get a hydraulic flare tool, is there really any advantage of press over flare for acr?
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a few years ago, the Viega trainer told me that they can’t find a way for press to work with the high pressure of ACR.
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@mattmia2 I think the press ACR has its place in some VRF systems and maybe jobs where hot work permits would be a pain. On a standard resi install for AC prob not unless a company is using newer guys that don't have brazing skills and want to boost production. The flip side is they will never get good at brazing if they don't do it. The NAVAC battery flare tool is awesome. I was skeptical until I tried it. It's almost fool proof and it's made near perfect flares. Use it on mini splits and fuel oil lines. The tool paid for its self on a mini split job while making flares standing on a 8 ft ladder. It was so much easier than my trusty Imperial Eastman kit.
Owner of Grunaire Climate Solutions. Check us out under the locate a contractor section. Located in Detroit area.
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The only other thing to consider on Milwaukee vs Ridgid would be the batteries. I have Milwaukee tools so it was a no brainer having the one charger and batteries than work in multiple tools. Between the tools and pack outs I have done my part for the Milwaukee stockholders lol
Owner of Grunaire Climate Solutions. Check us out under the locate a contractor section. Located in Detroit area.
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I'd agree with the above feedback, but also have to ask…. Why in the world were you ever brazing water lines?
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there is also this type of flaring tool that is similar but hydraulic instead of battery powered. it seems to be mostly popular for automotive applications:
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Not any more. One of my associates has been using press for quite a few years now with no regrets.
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zoom lock and RLS have been making refrigeration press fittings for over 10 years.
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I see they offer RLS jaws for several ProPress systems including Ridgid and Milwaukee.
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I’ve been working with press fittings for more than 17 years, and I have a lot of respect for Viega and the role they played in bringing press technology into the U.S. market. They make a great product.
But it’s also important to remember that there are several other manufacturers that have been producing press fittings for many years, including companies with long histories in the UK and Europe. I’ve personally worked for three manufacturers in this space, and I can tell you from experience that there are a number of companies producing excellent-quality press products today.
PEX is a good comparison. One company may have helped introduce or establish a technology in the U.S., but over time many other manufacturers entered the market and developed high-quality products of their own.
At the end of the day, I believe the decision comes down to more than just the name on the fitting:
• Who has the product in stock when you need it?
• Is the pricing competitive?
• Is the product proven and reliable?
• And most importantly, when there is a problem, who has your back?A quality product is important, but strong inventory, fair pricing, and a company that stands behind its customers are just as important.
If you have any questions about press fittings or would like more information, send me a message. I’m always happy to talk shop.
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Propress is great until you have to re-work the piping for some reason. The fittings are larger than sweat fittings and often a stretch of pipe is filled with fittings and there's no room to cut in a tee. And soldering a fitting close to a press fitting !!!!! I've had to do it a few times with wet rags trying to keep the press fitting from overheating and haven't had a problem, but still worry.
But overall, I love 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 slab0 -
The press ells are a nice long radius sweep, hydronic friendly. You may not even need to calculate them in a pressure drop equation.
Bob "hot rod" Rohr
trainer for Caleffi NA
Living the hydronic dream0 -
I’ve always used refrigeration L R ells in hydronic and domestic water. much better results.
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