Pipe crimp systems / tools

[mike os]

Anyone use or have experience with them?

Proper copper/ stainless pipe, not pec/ alupex.

Info seems strangely unforthcoming.

I think it’s a choice between M or V crimp jaws and fittings … are they all compatible assuming they are the same type or brand specific (ie m or v .. I know they are not interchangeable)

am I missing anything there? And what’s the most easily obtained type ?

I have some stuff I need to alter and it’s probably cheaper to buy a crimp system than use swagelok

 

[pedrobedro]

A friend uses Milwaukee battery crimp tool for plumbing as he works in local historical buildings and no hot work is allowed. The one he uses was over £1000.

 

[Tim.S]

If you only have a few joints to do, then you're better off renting one, you can rent the appropriate jaws for the fittings you're using and it comes ready calibrated. I bought an Alphapress and even though it was cheap, it's been superb and has more than paid for itself.

 

[Anguz]

never actually used the tool for fitting them, but we have an air line ring main at work, that is a right pita
galv fittings etc if they leak can be maintained by pretty much anyone
at 3am on standby, with the crimped system, if you havent the tool you may as well go home

 

[mike os]

Are all m type fittings the same ? I’d is it now a de facto standard?

 

[mike os]

Cost isn’t the issue per se … maintaining the appearance of the installation is important, to me at least.

@Anguz .. no difference to not having any other tool or fitting … fortunately I rarely do emergency repairs any more.

 

[Tim.S]

I mainly use Gerberit but I have used Maypress M fittings and they all press the same but you can't drop or knock them as they're very soft. They can also be difficult to use became you have to plan in what order you press also if you can press them in situ or if you have to press first then fit in place and they have a tendency to move a little when pressing also press tools weigh a ton with the jaws and battery fitted. It's also difficult to get close to corners, walls etc as the jaws are massive but they do make a 45 degree head which is better but not brilliant.

 

[mike os]

Best crimper? Or any to avoid?

Will only require up to 28mm

 

[Tim.S]

I've used Gerberit, Maypress and Rems they all seem to work the same the only thing I would look at is battery amps and that you get two with it, nothing worse that running out of power at 5 on a Friday with one more fitting to press, I picked the Alphapress because it was cheap and I wasn't expecting much but it came with two big batteries and went from 15mm up to 53mm and though its heavy I've got no complaints, we pressed probably 20 or more 53mm fittings on one battery and there was still a quarter power left. I also think you can get other jaws for pressing electrical fittings and things.

 

[cheb]

What happens if the machine runs out of battery power mid press? I ask out of curiosity and nothing more.

 

[Tim.S]

You can either stick on a new battery and carry on pressing or if you want to release the jaws theres a pressure release button, the press gun is just a hydraulic ram that works by pushing on the two levers that hold the jaws.

 

[mike os]

And drill or inline body? Or just down to choice?

Guessing the in-line has better access?

 

[Kayos]

Rems mini is great upto 28mm, any bigger and you want to full size crimper

Most fittings are M, I have only used M Jaws upto 54mm

 

[mike os]

Rems mini is great upto 28mm, any bigger and you want to full size crimper

Most fittings are M, I have only used M Jaws upto 54mm

Ok to 28 in stainless?

 

[cheb]

You can either stick on a new battery and carry on pressing or if you want to release the jaws theres a pressure release button, the press gun is just a hydraulic ram that works by pushing on the two levers that hold the jaws.

Thanks

 

[Kayos]

Ok to 28 in stainless?

Yes, the Rems mini officially does 35mm but its pushing it

Also, be aware a 28mm fitting will fit in a 22mm jaw, makes a mess of both pipe and fitting. I found that out the hard way

 

[Tim.S]

Don't like the Rems one, it feels a bit flimsy, as for design I've never used the pistol type only the straight ones, but yeah its all about access or lack of but if you've got the room to press they're good and the fittings material doesn't doesn't seem to make much difference but the stainless ones definitely make it work a bit harder. They do make manual presses but by god, they look like hard work to me

 

[Tim.S]

The other thing worth considering is that they need re-calibrating after a number of presses, they used to get done once a year but the newer ones tell you when it needs doing and it's important, I was using a mates press and when we went to fill up we had a couple of leaks which was unusual but we thought we'd just cocked up but it was because the press was out of calibration, luckily we had another press tool and re-did them but only after we had cut one out with the pipework and replaced it.

 

[Kayos]

Don't like the Rems one, it feels a bit flimsy, as for design I've never used the pistol type only the straight ones, but yeah its all about access or lack of but if you've got the room to press they're good and the fittings material doesn't doesn't seem to make much difference but the stainless ones definitely make it work a bit harder. They do make manual presses but by god, they look like hard work to me

I wouldn't call it flimsy, I piped an 11 bedroom care home with one, only switching to the full size for the 42mm gas pipe

I don't like the Milwaukee, only reason to buy that is if you have a load of batteries

It needs a bit of planning to crimp everything, but no more than screwed steel, work from a fitting so you don't need to put an elbow on last

 

[Tim.S]

Your right, not flimsy but more dainty perhaps, maybe not a bad thing if its lighter to use.