Screwfix are selling press fit

[Best]

I've came close, luckily I had a fire extinguisher. I did set my tools on fire in the van though, I'm not sure how it happened but I presume it was my blow torch 🙄

I mentioned this years ago on the old forum, but your post reminded me.
I once nearly set fire to van when I moved stuff around and steel wool burst into flames.
I had a cordless drill battery (old type ni cad) lying loose in van and steel wool must have touched the contacts.
Not sure if new batteries still have open contacts, but just something to be aware of.

 

[Aire]

I always disconnect my super fire 2 and put the cap back on the gas bottle.

I still don't do that now, you'd think I'd have learnt my lesson 😕
This was the remains of my tools, luckily my van didn't go up with them

 

[Aire]

I mentioned this years ago on the old forum, but your post reminded me.
I once nearly set fire to van when I moved stuff around and steel wool burst into flames.
I had a cordless drill battery (old type ni cad) lying loose in van and steel wool must have touched the contacts.
Not sure if new batteries still have open contacts, but just something to be aware of.

Seen that on PB'S YouTube channel too, he showed what happens when steel wool brushes past the contacts of a battery.

 

[Ch4 plumbing]

We use loads and loads of Press fit, mostly Gerberit Mapress which seems to work pretty well for us.

I've found that most problems with it are user or installer error whether that's not de burring the pipe properly or not positioning the jaws on the fittings correctly but with that said I wouldn't use it in the domestic market due to cost and appearance, end feed fittings are a lot cheaper and do look "cleaner" after installation.

Not sure Screwfix would be the cheapest place to buy the fittings from either or that they would hold the amount of stock you might need per job??

 

[hammers4spanner]

I see more people are using these to pipe boilers with, i guess manufacturers are happy with press fit?? Meaning wont come up with an excuse to void warranty.

 

[Deleted member 96286]

I see more people are using these to pipe boilers with, i guess manufacturers are happy with press fit?? Meaning wont come up with an excuse to void warranty.

Most of the guys around here are installing boilers using pressfit. Don't see how copper to copper fittings can void warranty, but I agree with you that there are boiler companies that will probably try it on just to get out of it.

 

[Deleted member 96286]

Another big plus for me with Yorkshire XPress are the chrome fittings. These press direct onto chrome pipe without having to remove the chrome or scribe the pipe. They look really good on a chrome towel radiator.

 

[Millsy 82]

I can see the appeal on boiler swaps but full central heating systems must cost a lot more.

Do the customers not moan about the bulky fittings?

What about getting the press fit gun into some of the stupidly tight spaces we have to get into?

 

[Deleted member 96286]

I can see the appeal on boiler swaps but full central heating systems must cost a lot more.

Do the customers not moan about the bulky fittings?

What about getting the press fit gun into some of the stupidly tight spaces we have to get into?

15mm fittings are keenly priced compared to others except soldered fittings which are always going to be cheaper than anything else. The price jumps with 22mm and above. Press fit can be used with water in the pipe, soldered fittings need dry pipelines. There is also no flux, solder or pipe compounds that can contaminate a plumbing system, or fire risk due to a gas torch.

The fittings are longer, not bulkier and look better, cleaner and neater than soldered, compression fittings or plastic fittings. They don't tarnish as heated fittings do, or require cleaning to remove flux and shine them up. The chrome fittings press directly on to chrome pipe without having to remove the chrome or scribe the pipe and look really good.

Press fit is not normally for under sinks and the like and is the reason why I use both Press fit and copper push fit fittings like Tectite and Cuprofit. There is a 45 degree attachment for the gun for tight spaces.

 

[Millsy 82]

Thanks last 2 stupid questions then I will stop I swear.

What about imperial pipe? Does it go straight onto that? Or do you have to buy a special fitting for that.

Do you use the no flame point as a selling point?

 

[ShaunCorbs]

Straight onto imperial

And on a full install I saved around 2 days labour

 

[Millsy 82]

I dont look at soldering as slow but then you always have that odd joint that seems to take a while.

I'm going to look into going down that route maybe give it a try on my next install.

 

[ShaunCorbs]

I dont look at soldering as slow but then you always have that odd joint that seems to take a while.

I'm going to look into going down that route maybe give it a try on my next install.

Plus cleaning the fittings and pipe then fluxing then gassing then cleaning

Then x that by around 4-500 fittings adds up a bit

 

[Deleted member 96286]

Thanks last 2 stupid questions then I will stop I swear.

What about imperial pipe? Does it go straight onto that? Or do you have to buy a special fitting for that.

Do you use the no flame point as a selling point?

Imperial pipe there is a compression to press fit union. Just use a 3/4" green ring in the compression end.
There are loads of benefits to press fit over soldering. I've listed most earlier. One of the biggest is you can make joints with water in the pipe.

 

[Deleted member 96286]

One big bonus is that because of the price of the press gun and kit, it's way beyond the scope of the average diy'er. I had a customer watching me using my AKKU press and he was amazed and very impressed. With diy'ers using speedfit and Hep etc. the less experienced ones who don't follow the M.I's and then have a fitting blow off have given it a bad name and made it very diy to most of us in the trade. With press fit, it's still very much in the scope of a professional plumber.

 

[Harvest Fields]

One big bonus is that because of the price of the press gun and kit, it's way beyond the scope of the average diy'er. I had a customer watching me using my AKKU press and he was amazed and very impressed. With diy'ers using speedfit and Hep etc. the less experienced ones who don't follow the M.I's and then have a fitting blow off have given it a bad name and made it very diy to most of us in the trade. With press fit, it's still very much in the scope of a professional plumber.

Beyond the scope of a diy’er. Out the scope of most pro’s😉😉

 

[Deleted member 96286]

Beyond the scope of a diy’er. Out the scope of most pro’s😉😉

I bought my kit second hand from Ebay for 400 quid, so it's affordable. I'll be upgrading soon to a new one. I hear that many reps will refund the cost of the gun if you spend a decent amount on fittings with them.

 

[WaterTight]

I was wondering about the imperial question.

Still though...£1300 is a lot of dosh. But I bet it feels like getting yourself a gift when you first use it. Like ooooh look at it go!

 

[Harvest Fields]

I bought my kit second hand from Ebay for 400 quid, so it's affordable. I'll be upgrading soon to a new one. I hear that many reps will refund the cost of the gun if you spend a decent amount on fittings with them.

Let me know where you heard that😛

 

[Ch4 plumbing]

Just wait and see, some of the fitters we have followed mash the fittings up good and proper when they press!!