"Knockoff" Pro Press / Press tools and tooling?

[danski0224]

If anyone has priced out press tools and tooling, especially from Big Red, it is crazy stupid expensive.

Unfortunately, it seems that some of the manufacturers in the residential HVAC equipment industry are moving towards equipment/component connections that are set up for press tooling.

The condenser service valves are no longer flared for a braze connection, which can be addressed with a hydraulic swaging tool. Unfortunately, it also appears that the service valves are lower quality and not speced for brazing. Despite using the same processes that have worked for me for years (Wet Rag product, or Cool Gel), the service valves did not seal when closed for a later repair of a manufacturing issue. Others have reported issues with getting 15% silver-phosphorus braze rod to flow properly.

Has anyone used the non-branded press tools and tooling?

It is a pretty compelling alternative, because the knockoffs are like 25% of the cost of Milwaukee. But there is the fear of using a possible lesser product, resulting in issues.

 

[colintrax]

I picked up the Vevor hydraulic (manual no battery) propress and Im happy with it. Geniue Viega connectors havent been leaking.

Id probably drop the coin on the name brand stuff if you're a pro as those get calibrated but I'm just doing plumbing around my house.

 

[Nobody-named-Olli]

Getting in today will be cheaper than tomorrow. As a pro, get the name brand tooling. Even if for no other reason than peace of mind. You get exactly one chance with the press fittings, you can’t re-press or anything. If it goes awry, it needs to come out. The day will come when your situation calls for some awkward position/access, take a good look at what the different brands offer in terms of accessibility. After the ballpark of 30k pressings tools need re-calibration.

The tool/press itself and the dies/tooling are nothing special at the end of the day. And I’m sure most “no-name” brands have figured that out. The only real question is how you sleep at night - and given how picky pipe and fitting manufacturers are about it - in case something goes wrong.

As a pro, the no-name brand tool will always be the “weak link” in any future argument to be had.

And also, at the end of the day, the jobs pay for the tool(s). And in terms of pressing, it is the future. (And I feel stupid for writing it down, because this “future” was already pretty much standard 20 years ago, around here. This does not necessarily mean internals of AC units. But plumbing for water, heating … Even gas is pressed nowadays.)


Kind regards,
Olli

 

[nafets47]

I agree with Olli. I do a fare bit of plumbing in spurts. I considered going the no-name pro-press route. But in the end do you want the certainty that it will not leak and ruin things that cannot be ruined or not. I went with Ridgid and couldn't be happier. You can just get a second hand one off eBay in good condition for about 65-75% MSRP and have peace of mind.

 

[zendriver]

For this technology, if I was a professional id buy the professional grade tool

$2000 a lot of money? I just spent almost half bat on replacement smartphone that I know won’t give a payback of a tool like that Milwaukee.

 

[danski0224]

$2000

3.5x that, plus fittings.