XPress fittings, pros and cons. Opinions please.

[Deleted member 96286]

Hi, looking at getting into press fit fittings as I like the speed that they can be installed on copper, and without a flame, or a big ugly plastic or compression fitting. They look great and earth continuity is maintained and are tamper proof on copper. The fittings are also inexpensive.
Apart from the expense of the press fitting tool, I'm looking for pros and cons of the press fit system. I'll only be using 15mm - 28mm.
Opinions please, before I spend my cash.

 

[Last Plumber]

Hi, looking at getting into press fit fittings as I like the speed that they can be installed on copper, and without a flame, or a big ugly plastic or compression fitting. They look great and earth continuity is maintained and are tamper proof on copper. The fittings are also inexpensive.
Apart from the expense of the press fitting tool, I'm looking for pros and cons of the press fit system. I'll only be using 15mm - 28mm.
Opinions please, before I spend my cash.

Hire the machine for a few week and see just how much you use it and what you think. They aren't that much to hire, so well worth trying it.

 

[Jim Goodenough]

Hi, looking at getting into press fit fittings as I like the speed that they can be installed on copper, and without a flame, or a big ugly plastic or compression fitting. They look great and earth continuity is maintained and are tamper proof on copper. The fittings are also inexpensive.
Apart from the expense of the press fitting tool, I'm looking for pros and cons of the press fit system. I'll only be using 15mm - 28mm.
Opinions please, before I spend my cash.

Keep me posted I'm interested to see what you finally go for.

 

[ShaunCorbs]

novopress / geberit ac0201

 

[townfanjon]

I have used press fit on a couple of charity days , and to be honest I was blown away on how good they are.
I am a well publicised tight arsed old yorkshire man and probably wouldnt invest , 10 years ago I should have . That should tell you something.
However I can solder in areas you would not be able to press .

 

[ShaunCorbs]

right here we go

pros
doesnt leak aslong as youve pressed it
easy to do
no hot works
quick
no harmful vapours

cons
bulky
cost of start up
need to plan ahead

 

[boblydon]

All good, have used them for a good few years now and can't fault them.
I have a REMS machine and use up to 2inch, well worth the investment.
I would also recommend you invest in the proper pipe cutting tool, have a look at the REMS website.
Bob

 

[ShaunCorbs]

All good, have used them for a good few years now and can't fault them.
I have a REMS machine and use up to 2inch, well worth the investment.
I would also recommend you invest in the proper pipe cutting tool, have a look at the REMS website.
Bob

cento?

 

[Gasmk1]

i like them they are neat don't discolour copper (no heat), no flux. they are not cheap but not far from plastic pricewise so you have to check prices before you quote, can be used on water and gas (with appropriate gas ones). and you nead to plan jobs as you need good access to press joints.

 

[Deleted member 96286]

I've ordered in about £150 worth of fittings in 15mm and 22mm, which should be used up fairly quickly. As a price comparison, they are roughly about the same as Hep2o fittings and more expensive than Speedfit and end feed.

They just look good and are also something that can't be tampered with by diy'ers and are a form of pipework that only professionals will take on, mainly due to the cost of the pressing tool. I'll post up a review in a few weeks after I've given them a thorough test.

I was advised to look at getting the tool through Hilti Fleet as it would cost about £35 per month including servicing and free upgrades to the latest model. If anyone has experience of this service, please let me know your thoughts on it here.

 

[ShaunCorbs]

I've ordered in about £150 worth of fittings in 15mm and 22mm, which should be used up fairly quickly. As a price comparison, they are roughly about the same as Hep2o fittings and more expensive than Speedfit and end feed.

They just look good and are also something that can't be tampered with by diy'ers and are a form of pipework that only professionals will take on, mainly due to the cost of the pressing tool. I'll post up a review in a few weeks after I've given them a thorough test.

I was advised to look at getting the tool through Hilti Fleet as it would cost about £35 per month including servicing and free upgrades to the latest model. If anyone has experience of this service, please let me know your thoughts on it here.

where did you get the fittings from?

 

[Deleted member 96286]

JTM. They have great prices on all of their copper fittings. I get my end feed in bulk here as it's very cheap and free next day delivery on orders over £50.
A XPress 15mm elbow is £1.37 including VAT, which is cheaper than a Tectite Sprint and a Hep2o plastic pushfit bend.

 

[ShaunCorbs]

have a look here around 10p a fitting cheaper

Pipework Systems | Pipes | Fitting | Valves | Pipekit

 

[ShaunCorbs]

do you have a bss account?

 

[Deleted member 96286]

do you have a bss account?

No mate only BES, good link you posted above, cheers The Geberit fittings look good and are cheaper.

 

[ShaunCorbs]

No mate only BES, good link you posted above, cheers The Geberit fittings look good and are cheaper.

np if you are looking at getting into the bigger stuff bss work out cheaper than my link

 

[Deleted member 96286]

np if you are looking at getting into the bigger stuff bss work out cheaper than my link

Quick question, the XPress version is available in chrome. Do these chrome fittings press directly on to chrome pipe without having to remove the chrome plating?

 

[ShaunCorbs]

Quick question, the XPress version is available in chrome. Do these chrome fittings press directly on to chrome pipe without having to remove the chrome plating?

correct

the copper ones will as well but arnt chrome

 

[Deleted member 96286]

correct

the copper ones will as well but arnt chrome

Great stuff as the chrome ones will be great for towel rads. One last question mate, will these metric sized fittings press on to imperial pipe? I carry green rings for 3/4" copper that is very common in Glasgow.

 

[ShaunCorbs]

the geberit ones do its 22m thats the pain as all the others are close

 

[Deleted member 96286]

the geberit ones do its 22m thats the pain as all the others are close

Great info, I'll leave you alone now.

 

[Old Account]

If you start using a crimping machine DO NOT USE xpress fittings. These are cheap, after crimping you can easily turn them around. Those fittings also leak. These fittings are the poorest crimping fittings which you can get. Viega or geberit for me.

 

[ShaunCorbs]

really this again ron they dont turn

 

[boblydon]

i have never had that problem and have used thousands of them in commercial boiler houses and systems over the years.

 

[Old Account]

really this again ron they dont turn

They do!
Poor quality fittings. They aren’t even round those fittings. I used to use them but due to 2 leaks I stopped using them. Never had any issue with viega fittings. If you had a leak you would see it straight away which has a specific german term sc Kontur... normally those fittings are sealed without even using an o ring because it is a metallic connection. However, nobody said you cannot use them, I stopped due to their poor quality. You should try it out to turn them once they are crimped.