XPress fittings, pros and cons. Opinions please.

[Deleted member 96286]

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.

 

[ShaunCorbs]

No mate only BES, good link you posted above, cheers The Geberit fittings look good and are cheaper.

np if you are looking at getting into the bigger stuff bss work out cheaper than my link

 

[Deleted member 96286]

np if you are looking at getting into the bigger stuff bss work out cheaper than my link

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?

 

[ShaunCorbs]

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?

correct

the copper ones will as well but arnt chrome

 

[Deleted member 96286]

correct

the copper ones will as well but arnt chrome

Great stuff as the chrome ones will be great for towel rads. One last question mate, will these metric sized fittings press on to imperial pipe? I carry green rings for 3/4" copper that is very common in Glasgow.

 

[ShaunCorbs]

the geberit ones do its 22m thats the pain as all the others are close

 

[Deleted member 96286]

the geberit ones do its 22m thats the pain as all the others are close

Great info, I'll leave you alone now.

 

[Old Account]

If you start using a crimping machine DO NOT USE xpress fittings. These are cheap, after crimping you can easily turn them around. Those fittings also leak. These fittings are the poorest crimping fittings which you can get. Viega or geberit for me.

 

[ShaunCorbs]

really this again ron they dont turn

 

[boblydon]

i have never had that problem and have used thousands of them in commercial boiler houses and systems over the years.

 

[Old Account]

really this again ron they dont turn

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.

 

[Old Account]

i have never had that problem and have used thousands of them in commercial boiler houses and systems over the years.

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 ).

 

[Deleted member 96286]

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.

 

[ShaunCorbs]

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

 

[ABK]

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.

 

[Welder]

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

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)...