Pipe freezing machine?

[plumb_know]

I am contemplating buying a pipe freezing machine, bought a polar freezer kit but in long run think machine would be more cost effective as freeze cans are expensive also not the panic issue of working to a time restraint. On a previous company I used rothenberger plumbfreeze Eco but found it to be a bit unreliable and the clamps are very bulky.

i was wondering if anyone could recommend a good freezing machine that will freeze at least 8mm-28mm pipe? Also what are your opinions on Freezing machines and have you found them useful and worth the money?

The downsides I found with the rothenberger is that it's was a bit unreliable, clamps bulky so limited where I could use it and also took a while to freeze. But did come in useful sometimes and did save draining to replace radiator valves on some occasions.

Would appreciate your opinions
thanks

 

[WHPES]

They aren't cheap but they are very handy and can save hours of draining and refilling. Mine is the Arctic machine which is the same as the Freeze Master (different colour) and I have had it for years. The only maintenance you need is to get it regassed every few years with new seals and the guy who does the aircon on my van does that if I need.

You need to turn it on at least once every week when not in regular use or the seals can dry out.

 

[Ray Stafford]

I am contemplating buying a pipe freezing machine, bought a polar freezer kit but in long run think machine would be more cost effective as freeze cans are expensive also not the panic issue of working to a time restraint. On a previous company I used rothenberger plumbfreeze Eco but found it to be a bit unreliable and the clamps are very bulky.

i was wondering if anyone could recommend a good freezing machine that will freeze at least 8mm-28mm pipe? Also what are your opinions on Freezing machines and have you found them useful and worth the money?

The downsides I found with the rothenberger is that it's was a bit unreliable, clamps bulky so limited where I could use it and also took a while to freeze. But did come in useful sometimes and did save draining to replace radiator valves on some occasions.

Would appreciate your opinions
thanks

We looked at this recently for our hire fleet, and after some research we settled on the Rofrost Turbo. All the hire companies seem to use either that machine, or the freezemaster equivalent.

They aren't cheap, but since you are in Maidstone, you can always arrange to hire one from your favourite forum sponsor's Aylesford branch! 🙂 I won't put the rental price on the open forum, but you would have to rent it an awful lot to pay of the purchase cost.

 

[plumb_know]

Thanks for replies, I would like it on the van so I can do the job there and then but I did see your outlet up Aylesford and will go in their and enquire about opening an account. So rofrost turbo or freeze master it is then.
Ray you mentioned you compared them both what caused you to go for the rofrost turbo over the freeze master?

Whpes you mentioned seals going how often does this seem to happen and how much it cost you to get serviced?

Thanks for for replies really helpful

 

[Ray Stafford]

Ray you mentioned you compared them both what caused you to go for the rofrost turbo over the freeze master?

It wasn't anything technical - we have an existing relationship with Rothenberger, and they gave me a better price. 🙂 But the price wouldn't have been important if I had not got the good reports on reliability. We did look at the cheaper Rothenberger machine, but rejected it as too light-duty for the hire market.

 

[lame plumber]

i use a freezemaster, fm 2nd hand purchase, I wouldnt go near rothenburger as they seem to rebadge other peoples products and freezemaster just build the one thing, and they are reliable, same cant be said for some rothernburger kit nowadays.

 

[Macca2009]

ive always use the ro frost as thats what the hire companies use as well. only problem is they weigh a tonne. I am comtemplasting getting a more domestic one, so will be keeping an eye on this thread

 

[Howsie]

We have three, two Rofrost Turbo and a Turbo II. Brilliant bit of kit.

 

[plumb_know]

Well I definitely will be getting one of the 2, how do you find the limitations of them? As I stated in a earlier thread I found the clamps on the rothenberger I had with a company I worked for quite bulky which reduced the pipes I could freeze, are these two varieties as bulky clamps? Also how long do they usually take to freeze 15mm pipe? One quicker than the other both about the same?

Also if you have to get the freezing machine out do you add a bit to the job or do you just charge it as you would if you didn't have one? Or even charge less if you think it will save you time? Doubt any one goes for the last option 🙂 but you never know!

Thanks for for your replies everyone

 

[lame plumber]

daft question, you always add!!!!!!! you would be charging for cans so charge for the machine, saves a 2 hr drain and refill !!!!!!!!!

 

[SimonG]

Get your self a tool hire price list and charge it out as if you hired it. You've paid for it and at some point you will have to service/repair/replace.

 

[Toxic Ted]

Used one of Ray's hire rothenberger machines today on a cold main that we couldn't isolate. Everything was hunky dory until it defrosted and thawed the pipe that had split due to expanding ice. I wouldn't have minded but it hit me straight in the backside and back. Its quite funny when your legs are shaking with adrenalin as you attempt to cut and cap a pipe live. Good freeze kit with temp gauge in the head. Only criticism is clamp screw amd head wont fit in small places ore tight corners where the freezemaster has an elastic to hold the head in place........Given the choice i would have the freezemaster due to the head fastening, weight and size.

 

[lame plumber]

havent had a pipe split yet with a freezemaster, doesnt really help if you cause more damage with the freezer unit!

 

[Toxic Ted]

Hate working in wet clothes.....especially me trollies

 

[plumb_know]

Hate working in wet clothes.....especially me trollies

Always keep spare clothes in van, especially in the winter months. About 3 pairs of socks, nothing worse than have cold wet feet all day!

 

[Gas]

Who actually makes the Rottenburger machine?

 

[Toxic Ted]

Who actually makes the Rottenburger machine?

Dont know but ID and serial no plate are badged as rothenberger

 

[WaterTight]

I'd like to stick up for the Rothy Eco freeze for anyone reading this who can stretch to £600 but not to double that. I've had it about 3 years. It's worked 95% of the time and the times it didn't were probably down to water movement or ambient temp. Once it's frozen it has never failed to stay frozen, has never lost the plug. It's easily made it's cost back 5 times over at least. You can charge a premium because you're saving them a drain-down / waiting for waterboard to sort external stopcock. There are better ones available but if you can't afford them it is still 100% worth getting this machine. I don't regret it at all.

 

[lame plumber]

95% is not enough for me, get too wet in the last 5% 🙂

 

[WaterTight]

I never freeze anything I can't safely check has frozen first.

 

[Toxic Ted]

I never freeze anything I can't safely check has frozen first.

We had one of them and it was absolute carp. I'd never waste my money on one again and would advise anyone looking to buy one to steer well clear because ours only ever worked when it felt like it and never when you were under pressure to get in and out.

 

[tomplumb83]

So everyones in agreement that the Freezemaster is the one to have?

 

[WaterTight]

We had one of them and it was absolute carp. I'd never waste my money on one again and would advise anyone looking to buy one to steer well clear because ours only ever worked when it felt like it and never when you were under pressure to get in and out.

Perhaps I got lucky. They made my one proper.

 

[Howsie]

We have three Rofrosts and they have never failed. Never.

I don't have any experience of the others so don't have an opinion on them.

 

[kay-jay]

I just bought the arctic pro kit.