I am a home owner who had trouble getting plumbers out in a reasonable amount of time. I also had...I am a home owner who had trouble getting plumbers out in a reasonable amount of time. I also had wildly different quotes for what I thought was an obvious scope of work. Further, I couldn't really gauge the quality of the plumber and whether they did clean work or hack work.
As such, I decided to try the do it yourself route. I'm relatively handy but not a professional trades person. I had a manual press tool for plumbing pex. With the amount of lines and manifolds I wanted to install and clean up, I knew I needed (wanted) a power tool. In the past, these devices were upwards of $3000.00.
Then I saw this at home depot with 10% off for about $630 bucks. It was a lot of money. It was better than $3000. It was a Milwaukee - something that I knew my propane professional used. I also figured I could sell it gently used for about $500 when I was done.
The tool itself is stout. It seems professional grade to me. It comes with 2 batteries (not really clear in the picture) and 3 adapters, 1", 3/4" and 1/2". The hard plastic case has 2 more open 'slots' to add additional press adapters (presumably 3/8 and 5/8?).
I've decided to use the copper rings (instead of the stainless crimps). This tool is made for the copper rings and it performs a perfect press every time. I haven't had a 'mistake' or 'partial' press yet. I'm on about 60 presses on the same battery charge with a mix of 3/4 and 1/2 connectors. I am more than happy with this tool. It makes pressing in tight locations very easy. Switching adapter collars is a breeze - takes all of 2 seconds to take off, 4 seconds to grab the different size from the case, 2 seconds to put on.
by Kingofbytes