Pro press - Plumbing Zone

Cal · 01-10-2009, 05:05 PM

Was looking at Robert's pics on a tankless install . VERY NICE !!

Am interested in the Pro Press method but am concerned about a few things :

1- expense of fittings

2- How do they work in the inevitable TIGHT SPACES ?

3- Initial costs for equip ?

Thanks !!

Cal

Va. Plumber · 01-10-2009, 05:15 PM

I got a pro press a few months ago for about $2,400 1/2"-2". It has come in handy in commercial for cutting in valves and capping lines. The cost of the fittings is offset in the labor cost. I personally would not do a lot of piping with it. I like the look and quality of soldering Tight places can be a b**th too.

Cal · 01-10-2009, 05:24 PM

Good advice ,,, Thanks !

Ron · 01-10-2009, 06:49 PM

There nice if you have to fix a leaking 2" water main in a motel and you can't seem to get the line free and clear of water on the 1st floor, and have little time to get it fixed. Did one the other day, 2 x 1 tee leaking, sweated the tee onto new pipe and then used 2 propress couplings 1 slip and one with stop to make the finale tie in.

Tankless · 01-10-2009, 06:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ron The Plumber

There nice if you have to fix a leaking 2" water main in a motel and you can't seem to get the line free and clear of water on the 1st floor, and have little time to get it fixed. Did one the other day, 2 x 1 tee leaking, sweated the tee onto new pipe and then used 2 propress couplings 1 slip and one with stop to make the finale tie in.

Damn....I see I have lost another friend to the dark side.

I have been thinking about it too....as if I need another thing to research about. I have a list a mile long of topics and parts I need to study on from computer parts to electrical fiber optics systems to maybe even now...ProPress......sigh....

Proud Plumber · 01-10-2009, 07:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cal

Good advice ,,, Thanks !

I looked at a couple of the systems about six months ago. I liked the Rothenberger tool I think it was priced less than Ridgid as well. It was smaller in size and looked a little more tight space friendly. I also liked the ridgid cordless and have used it as well. It is very user friendly. I really appreciated the system on freeze and repairs.

I actually choose not to buy. I have been able to rent one from a Ferguson the last 2 times I needed it. I think it was roughly $25.00 a day, it worked out well.

WestCoastPlumber · 01-10-2009, 10:35 PM

I would only go with Ridgid, and get the 330B cordless, lithiom Ion, 1/2 to 2"

No one makes a press tool like ridgid, it is perfect. I only use Viega fittings also.

I still sweat pipe, but on specialty jobs or where the water won't stop running, or I don't have time for a drain down, ProPress, not only that, the fittings are type K, great for recirc lines.

Buy the best, spend the extra money, stay with ridgid

Cal · 01-11-2009, 07:50 AM

Robert ,,, What about the fitting costs ??

**ILPlumber** · 01-11-2009, 09:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cal

Robert ,,, What about the fitting costs ??

A good rule of thumb on fitting cost is 4x more than sweat.

I have boxes and boxes of PP fittings at the shop as well as 4 battery powered guns. Now, Architects are not allowing PP at alarming rates in these parts. Last 3 big ones I've got. No PP. My gut tells me PP will be used in repairs. Not in large scale new construction.

We have used it since 2002. For about 5 years there it was about all we used. Didn't hardly use it at all in 2008.

WestCoastPlumber · 01-11-2009, 05:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ILPlumber

A good rule of thumb on fitting cost is 4x more than sweat.

I have boxes and boxes of PP fittings at the shop as well as 4 battery powered guns. Now, Architects are not allowing PP at alarming rates in these parts. Last 3 big ones I've got. No PP. My gut tells me PP will be used in repairs. Not in large scale new construction.

We have used it since 2002. For about 5 years there it was about all we used. Didn't hardly use it at all in 2008.

Murray company here is doing alot of propress, they just finished a 18 story high rise condo project and are working on alot of other projects, they have like 60 guns in use.

01-10-2009, 05:05 PM	#1
Cal Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 1,407 My Photos	Pro press Was looking at Robert's pics on a tankless install . VERY NICE !! Am interested in the Pro Press method but am concerned about a few things : 1- expense of fittings 2- How do they work in the inevitable TIGHT SPACES ? 3- Initial costs for equip ? Thanks !! Cal

01-10-2009, 06:49 PM	#4
Ron Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 8,635 My Photos	There nice if you have to fix a leaking 2" water main in a motel and you can't seem to get the line free and clear of water on the 1st floor, and have little time to get it fixed. Did one the other day, 2 x 1 tee leaking, sweated the tee onto new pipe and then used 2 propress couplings 1 slip and one with stop to make the finale tie in. __________________ Stephen Hawking: If the government is covering up knowledge of Aliens, they are doing a better job of it then they do at anything else.

01-10-2009, 10:35 PM	#7
WestCoastPlumber Plumber Manhattan Beach Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Los Angeles (South Bay) Posts: 828 My Photos	I would only go with Ridgid, and get the 330B cordless, lithiom Ion, 1/2 to 2" No one makes a press tool like ridgid, it is perfect. I only use Viega fittings also. I still sweat pipe, but on specialty jobs or where the water won't stop running, or I don't have time for a drain down, ProPress, not only that, the fittings are type K, great for recirc lines. Buy the best, spend the extra money, stay with ridgid __________________ Robert Plumber Manhattan Beach, Plumber Hermosa Beach,Plumber Marina Del Rey, Plumber Redondo Beach, Tankless water heaters Los Angeles Tankless repair Los Angeles

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01-10-2009, 05:15 PM	#2
Va. Plumber Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Virginia Posts: 67 My Photos	I got a pro press a few months ago for about $2,400 1/2"-2". It has come in handy in commercial for cutting in valves and capping lines. The cost of the fittings is offset in the labor cost. I personally would not do a lot of piping with it. I like the look and quality of soldering Tight places can be a b**th too.

01-10-2009, 05:24 PM	#3
Cal Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 1,407 My Photos	Good advice ,,, Thanks !

01-11-2009, 07:50 AM	#8
Cal Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 1,407 My Photos	Robert ,,, What about the fitting costs ??