XPress fittings, pros and cons. Opinions please.

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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.
 
Cailean said:
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.
Click to expand...
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.
 
Cailean said:
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.
Click to expand...
Keep me posted I'm interested to see what you finally go for.
 
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 .
 
boblydon said:
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
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cento?
 
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.
 
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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.
 
Cailean said:
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.
Click to expand...

where did you get the fittings from?
 
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.
 
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do you have a bss account?
 
Cailean said:
No mate only BES, good link you posted above, cheers:) The Geberit fittings look good and are cheaper.
Click to expand...

np if you are looking at getting into the bigger stuff bss work out cheaper than my link :)
 
Cailean said:
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?
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correct

the copper ones will as well but arnt chrome :D
 
the geberit ones do its 22m thats the pain as all the others are close
 
ShaunCorbs said:
really this again ron they dont turn
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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.
 
boblydon said:
i have never had that problem and have used thousands of them in commercial boiler houses and systems over the years.
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That’s fine, I never said that no one should use them. I decided otherwise due to my experience. But you can see the difference if you hold two different fittings in your hand ( viega and xpress ).
 
My understanding of the XPress fittings is that they are deliberately not made round and made triangular. This is a feature called LBP, or leak before pressing so that they intentionally leak if not pressed so that you can confirm that it hasn't been pressed. I'm a complete novice with press fittings, so all info is appreciated.
 
You sure you pressed it with m jaws and no a different type

As m type presses a hex in the fitting a pipe so it's physically impossible to turn it without disforming the hex
 
Apart from price, a couple of things to consider:

Working in tight spaces and trying to get the crimper in can be tricky, and could crush the fitting if not on properly, so you must plan ahead. The mini rems is better for tight spaces imo, and alot lighter.

Also, not sure if you would use the fittings in concealed places as they are sealed by a rubber o ring, which I heard will degrade after time.

Other than that, they are quick and easy to use, with no mess from flux or heat mats needed etc.
 
ABK said:
Also, not sure if you would use the fittings in concealed places as they are sealed by a rubber o ring, which I heard will degrade after time
Click to expand...

Interesting point, well from an engineering perspective anyway...

My, albeit limited, knowledge of o-rings is that certain ones do degrade over time due to oxygen and also uv light. I'd be interest to know what they use.

If people recall, the org JG pushfit inserts had 2 nitrile o-rings. They then had failures so changed one to blue (viton)...
 
One point to add they don't count on the oring it's only there for a secondary seal

I've removed one and pressure tested upto 14 bar no leak
 
Correct they can't rotate due to the m profile

I'm not saying you can't force them round but I wouldn't like to
 
Cailean said:
So there is no movement in these joints and can't be rotated like pushfit? Reason I'm asking is that I've cut into lines in boiler rooms with these fittings already on the pipe work and they have rotated, but still kept their seal.
Click to expand...

I've seen them pass a test but not been pressed :D
 
Ah. So press fittings are a metal to metal seal? Perhaps I'll withdraw my main objection then.

That said, the fact that there is an o ring is a concern as how will you ever know if the copper seal if doing its job or if you are relying on a bit of rubber that will eventually degrade?
 
Ric2013 said:
Ah. So press fittings are a metal to metal seal? Perhaps I'll withdraw my main objection then.

That said, the fact that there is an o ring is a concern as how will you ever know if the copper seal if doing its job or if you are relying on a bit of rubber that will eventually degrade?
Click to expand...

Yes

Geberit have a 25 year warranty on the fittings so if anything goes wrong it's upto manufacturer aslong as it's fitted to spec

Most schools and hospitals are plumbed hot and cold services in press now
 
Bought a second hand REMS Akku - Press machine with 15mm, 22mm, 28mm and 35mm and I've placed an order for 15mm and 22mm XPress fittings.

I've also been given a Geberit ACO 102 Press Tool on loan to try out on a try before you buy, which has the same tongs as above but for Viega fittings. I'm waiting on these fittings being delivered.

Both machines are in tip top condition and come at under £500 each.

Once I've tested both out and formed an opinion over a month, I'll post up my findings and views on what system I prefer.
 
Loving the machine. Took a bit of getting used to, especially as the Akku Press is very heavy. It's great for radiators in 15mm and a big bonus is that Xpress is available in Chrome fittings and these press directly to chrome pipe without having to file off the chrome plating. The machine I bought was an EBay purchase and cost me £450 including 15mm to 35mm tongs, two batteries and a charger. It's perfect for starting me off, but I'll upgrade in the New Year to a smaller lighter one like the aco 102 or REMS mini press S type.

20181221_144525.jpg
 
I’ve had no leaks with xpress fittings, but I can confirm that you can rotate the pipe in the fitting after pressing, although it takes a fair bit of force to do it.

I use a REMS mini press and it gets a lot of use, especially on repair works when I don’t have ages to wait for water to fully drain from pipework. I rarely do domestic jobs but have used it in those situations a few times.
 
I’ve considered press myself, although as others have said I can’t see it being worthwhile on domestic work. The cost is a issue too, as this will have to be passed on to customers.
 
I am using a Geberit/Novo press & we have 3 in the company.
Find them brilliant but as other say they can be a bit bulky, Used them from bathroom/kitchen refurb to domestic new builds to commercial boiler house work.
I buy 90% of my fittings from william wilson & the other 10% from BES if i am putting an order in anyway. I haven't found anyone that can compete with WW yet.
We still solder occasionally & get apprentices to solder until year 3 at least, this way we should keep options open & training to a good standard.
 
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island fling said:
I am using a Geberit/Novo press & we have 3 in the company.
Find them brilliant but as other say they can be a bit bulky, Used them from bathroom/kitchen refurb to domestic new builds to commercial boiler house work.
I buy 90% of my fittings from william wilson & the other 10% from BES if i am putting an order in anyway. I haven't found anyone that can compete with WW yet.
We still solder occasionally & get apprentices to solder until year 3 at least, this way we should keep options open & training to a good standard.
Click to expand...

Have a look at pipekit
 

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