Brazing Is For Cavemen. THIS Is The Future Of HVAC Copper Connections. -RLS Crimping Tool-

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27 сен 2024

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Комментарии : 1,9 тыс.

@diyhvacguy Год назад

All products and tools can be found here! ➡️ www.amazon.com/shop/thediyhvacguy?ref=ac_inf_tb_vh

@googleuser4434 Год назад

The crimp tool you mentioned is not on your Amazon list.

@stevesutherland3606 Год назад

By the time you got that first pipe cut...I'd be done 🤣

@guytech7310 Год назад

I doubt those o-rings will last and possibly contaminate the freon over time.

@googleuser4434 Год назад

@@guytech7310 same comment we got about sharkbites from plumbers 15 years ago. Mine are still holding strong. Meanwhile I've replaced at least 10 leaking brazed joints from "professionals"

@guytech7310 Год назад

@@googleuser4434 LOL! I know lots of people with sharkbite failures. Lots!

@1phatclipse Год назад

Been doing HVAC for 20 years and after watching that video I would say that seems like more trouble then it's worth in most applications.

@diyhvacguy Год назад

Why do you say that? I’d love to get some feedback. I’m not completely swapping to this but in some circumstances I’ll definitely be using it.

@petersmart1999 Год назад

How would you add in the required filter drier?

@jasonchouinard4216 Год назад

They make ever kind of fitting imaginable for zoomlock, including no hub filter driers, sight glasses, etc.

@Tri-Lobe Год назад

@petersmart1999 that is a Goodman and the filter dryer is installed at the factory inside the machine.

@charlesgale8115 Год назад

I'm all for new stuff, but I agree this is more trouble than it's worth. I'm not even that good but could have soldered this up in half the time. Another thing to consider is what happens when something leaks? I could re-solder and be done with it and with this machine I could be looking at a leak right up against the valve and then look at the mess that would be. I would try to solder the joint with the o-ring in it sacrificing the ring and hoping the solder would fix the leak. It just looks like more trouble than it's worth, especially with the cost of the tools. I'm 71 so you can imagine what I'm thinking soldering a couple of joints in 15 minutes.

@handymanbrian8269 Год назад

After almost 30 years in HVAC and plumbing, I can tell you never to rely on o-rings. They break down. You will eventually have leaks

@diyhvacguy Год назад

Time will tell :) I think it done properly they should last a very long time

@JAYJAYJAY53 Год назад

Isn’t there more to the switch away from soldered joints? I thought lead contamination and the suspected cancer was the driving factor in moving away from soldered joints?

@Miketime969 Год назад

It will last but man , once the rubber material starts to reach its degradation point , they will all start leaking like taco bell on a bad day. Would much rather braze or silver solder. Refrigerants are hot , high pressure , fluorinated/ chlorinated and can be aggressive on seals

@TroyHuffmanJr Год назад

Absolutely but the industry relies on repairs and selling new equipment. If things last too long, where's the money in that. Hence the reason they don't make things like they used to. It's bullshit.

@JAYJAYJAY53 Год назад

@@garyszewc3339 first off lead is a toxic metal and it seems that it’s use has cut in many products , things with lead end up in the dump or buried where cause environmental problems

@travispolson4615 Год назад

As an HVAC guy myself, I could see this being useful in certain situations where using a torch might not be an issue. But for just normal everyday line connection, I think I will stick with a torch.

@sidsid9808 Год назад

You are 110% right. I am DYIer and will never use these new fittings which are a rip off.

@1theheightofparadise Год назад

not only that but the price of the fittings! if you press it and its leaking you can't re heat and let the braze flow, you have to cut and restart. fuuuck that. and the tool itself is over a grand

@travispolson4615 Год назад

@@1theheightofparadise Yep. I agree.

@somaday2595 Год назад

For the places where a torch could be an issue, why not use a Ridgid RT-175 pipe soldering gun? No flame and the joint is heated as fast as using a torch.

@franciscojavierbarraza1929 Год назад

same

@RioSul50 Год назад

I started working in the plumbing and heating field in 1971. In the summer of 1989 an employee contacted me. Bob told me they could not solder the gas side connection at the condensing unit. I told him I could do it in less than a minute and that the drive of about 25 minutes was a waste of my time. I asked if he wanted to bet me (I could silver solder an "unsolder able" connection in less than a minute. He would not bet me. I did it in less than one minute. Soldering is a piece of cake. No need for anything else. Just get proficient at it and you will be just fine.

@stupiderthanjupiter4987 8 месяцев назад

^ are you referring to a StayBrite or similar? this is strong enough for long-term? MAPP gas? ty

@angelwings197 Год назад

Finally got it up and running. The only delays we had was because we realized we needed some extra parts (I’ll list that below) ru-vid.comUgkxihMYiJNXcHdbH-7ihymsLz61l7jVyb5O . So we have a loft where our current hvac just couldn’t seem to keep cool during the summer. We have been using a window unit since we bought this house over 6 years ago (all the houses in this neighborhood were built in the 80’s and majority of the houses built like ours use a window unit). I hate window units because they are just so noisy and the one we had really only cools one side of the loft. I had contemplated upgrading our current HVAC, but with all the rising prices these days, it would take years before saving up enough to do that. With the advice of my father-in-law (used to run an HVAC business), he recommended we get an inverter instead. We thought we bought everything we needed, but there were just a few other parts we didn’t anticipate needing (which is what caused most of our delay). My friend and father-in-law did all the work to get it installed and running and now we have nice cool air circulating nicely throughout the entire loft. It is very quiet and even the outside unit is much quieter than our main HVAC unit. Saved ourselves thousands getting this.

@dgpipefitter Год назад

I have worked in the hvac industry for 25+ years and I would not recommend using press fittings for refrigeration work you are going to have leaks down the road even if you pass a pressure test during installation I have used press fittings for chilled water and heating water systems and make fittings for gas work also . I would be real careful using that for refrigeration work. I don’t think a building inspector would pass that job here in North country

@diyhvacguy Год назад

Well I just had this job inspected here in Salt Lake City, as they were remodeling their whole basement and had to have a permit pulled. Passed no problem. Only time will tell. But I say don’t knock it until it has been disproven. And that hasn’t happened yet. Cheers

@ronlovell5374 Год назад

That looks like a different compression style system, not your typical pro-press with O-rings! Oils and acids would eat away O-rings with generic water compression fittings. That system looks like it's designed for gas, compressing copper on copper creating an internal flare in the middle of the crimp. I'd use it!

@dominicm2175 Год назад

It all comes down to the manufacturers recommended applications and the appropriate fittings are used. My concern with this video is whether or not the appliance manufacturer allows a crimp/o-ring style fitting directly onto the suction port. Even if the fitting and crimp tool is rated and approved for the installation, the appliance may not.

@dominicm2175 Год назад

@@ronlovell5374 yeah the typical “pro-press” jaws make more of a hexagonal crimp which distorts the natural roundness of the tubing

@TheCaribbeanExperience Год назад

I saw the thumbnail and clicked to watched, I thought there was a new invention for HVAC piping, when I saw that it was propress I was like “oh, wow!”. I agree with you, I wouldn’t recommend propress for HVAC systems.

@robertpatterson3406 Год назад

I’m an industrial pipefitter and I cant tell you how many of those things I have had to cut out and solder standard copper fittings back because the pipe froze and the fitting got pushed off because of the pressure of the expansion of the ice .

@tysonrojas5477 Год назад

Facts only for temp repairs

@robertpatterson3406 Год назад

@@tysonrojas5477 please explain

@bitpro8903 Год назад

@@robertpatterson3406expansion and contraction please study more

@michaelszczys8316 Год назад

Some things look good on paper. Others look good on paper as well as the real material. And then yet others look good on everything until they get out in the real world and imperfect conditions.

@hjc4604 11 месяцев назад

As opposed to the pipe splitting when it freezes?

@BigEagle12 Год назад

Brazing is an art, most satisfying part of the job.

@rydfree Год назад

Looks a lot better and more professional also.

@modquad18 Год назад

Yeah, this is for the Sharkbite crowd, lol.

@publicmail2 Год назад

Ik right, I wonder how these hold up to vibrations and time like 30 years, brazing would for sure. When all the refrigerant runs out and they ban or run the cost up...

@jeffreyclarke7154 Год назад

@@publicmail2 exactly

@sidsid9808 Год назад

Absolutely tight

@lewisriesbeck8858 Год назад

Staybrite solder with 5 to 8 percent silver works fantastic. No need for nitrogen purge as temps are lower than 700 degrees. Can use a hand held propane fuel torch so no dragging around an oxi/acetylene rig. As far as pressure holding ability, that's not ever going to see anywhere near its capability so no worries there. I can see possibly using the crimp fittings in some situations but for line set hookups, I will stay with the Staybrite

@muramasa6283 Месяц назад

International Fuel Gas Code and NFPA 54 National Fuel Gas Code are identical 403.10.1 Pipe joints. Pipe joints shall be threaded, flanged, brazed or welded. Where nonferrous pipe is brazed, the brazing materials shall have a melting point in excess of 1,000°F (538°C). Brazing alloys shall not contain more than 0.05-percent phosphorus. 403.10.2 Tubing joints. Tubing joints shall be made with approved gas tubing fittings, brazed with a material having a melting point in excess of 1,000°F (538°C) or made with press-connect fittings complying with ANSI LC-4. Brazing alloys shall not contain more than 0.05-percent phosphorus.

@tonyd4346 Год назад

Thank you for creating future work for us HVAC professionals! Even though I would NEVER use those, I hope thousands of people do. 😂

@BrandonBee-pm5nt Год назад

Agree. Ruined the King valve by cutting it up. Next professional that comes out to fix this mess of an install will be saying some choice words!

@stephenlee007 Год назад

🎉🎉🎉🎉 lmfao

@craigeaster8679 Год назад

Lol!

@craigeaster8679 Год назад

Yes install that, and leave my sticker for repair😂🤣😂

@spydermaaaan 2 месяца назад

maybe..... indoor in a tight spot (rare) but brazing is much better and secure. This will defintiely be job security!

@davidbienz5910 Год назад

The little grooves mostly if not entirely go away if you lubricate the tubing before bending. A little high pressure grease works ideally, however in a pinch Vaseline or even dish detergent and water work well enough.

@kurtzimmerman1637 Год назад

silver solder never fails. never!

@mercmanwon Год назад

Could have soldered 2 of them in the same time with a $20 torch.

@rcinfla9017 Год назад

Reminds me of space shuttle solid rocket booster O-rings. Remember the demo during congress Challenger investigation committee of clamped O-ring in ice water.

@freddobbs6544 2 месяца назад

Yes very good point noted.

@terrybressler4654 Год назад

I could have brazed all my fittings and started my vacuum in the amount of time you did 1 or 2 of those and I'm sure none of mine will leak ever. And I wouldn't have had to unscrew the service valve and flip the unit over to get the tools in place.

@diyhvacguy Год назад

I’m not giving up brazing my friend. But when you are using a torch in a closet where the furnace is with about 1 feet of clearance, I’ll have mine fitted and on to the next phase. So it’s sixes. I love having options :)

@terrybressler4654 Год назад

@diyhvacguy I give you that it has its uses, For most of what I do right now brazing is my best option, but I'm not ruling this way out though. Thanks for the video showing this way. Keep up the good content

@SavageOne420 Год назад

@@diyhvacguy sheet metal pieces make great heat shields for protecting surfaces near the torch

@justindrake4600 Год назад

Brazing ?? Do u mean soldering ?

@terrybressler4654 Год назад

@justindrake4600 brazing is using a higher heat with silver sticks soldering is what you do for copper water lines. Very similar technique for both I think but I'm not sure the only difference is the Heat and the type of filler material

@michaelszczys8316 Год назад

It looks fantastic - for the only guy on the block with all the expensive tools needed to perform this. It's an O- ring world these days, everything uses perfect fits with O-rings. It's also a ' last long enough to get it out the door ' world as well.

@michaelszczys8316 Год назад

I can see these on tables at tool swap- meets and yard sales in the future.

@johnharrisonschulz 3 месяца назад

That's insane! I would never go through all that work to use a crimp tool in that location. You're practically having to disassemble the whole AC and tip it on its side just to crimp it. That's insane. Way more efficient to braise and more reliable to braise it. If you crimp it, then the joint fails, what a pain in the butt to have to try and repair it.

@Azranael Месяц назад

So, by using this system in which you have invested ~$3,000+ dollars to use couplings at $8 a piece (as expensive as Sharkbite push connectors), you've successfully turned a one-man brazing job to a two-man job at the condenser (someone has to hold the condenser up on this one) with the potential to eventually leak in the future due to trusting an o-ring at 350+ psig... This is a great idea!

@victorgalicia8621 Год назад

I've used a propress(plumbing) for a years now and i love it. However press style fittings for refrigeration lines I'm not so sure about. Brazing would of required just 2 couplings not 4 and i think in the time it took to unbolt, wrap with tape and cut the hub on the service valves i would of set up nitrogen to run through while I braze. Not to mention if you mess that crimp up or have a defective fitting that leaks you have no room left to cut and add a new coupling because it's to close to valve. I'd suggest brazing at least a stub on the valves so you have that buffer

@diyhvacguy Год назад

I will do the nipple sweated in on the next one but I legitimately wanted to see how long this system will be leak free. Hopefully a long time :) if one leaks you guys will be the first to know about it! Cheers

@LMSILVIA Год назад

@@diyhvacguy With the amount of potential leak points on that line set you won't have to wait much..

@rodgraff1782 Год назад

Day and night and Carrier used to use an o ring, with a compression nut to join the suction line at their residential condensing units. They all leaked, and had to be repaired by cutting right after the o ring and brazing the line into the remaining stub on the unit.

@stevesmith2171 28 дней назад

I wonder how long they'll last if a safety fails and the compressor runs hot and overpressure@@rodgraff1782

@myoung99wood Год назад

I think it has value in some commercial applications where using a torch is a real PITA. I work in HVAC in overhead ceilings and its a life saver if you can repair systems without taking your fire panel off line and also work in tight spaces inside of equipment cabinets that have tons of wiring and sensors that can be damaged by the torch.

@zgrif Год назад

Yeah I work in refrigeration, and if we’re at a hospital or airport or something, it can literally take days to get a burn permit, press is good for situations like that and very tight spaces. However, I don’t really like the all or nothing mentality that some people have and the title portrays, pro press should be viewed as just another tool for specific work, not a complete replacement for brazing.

@TheHuesSciTech Год назад

So it's great that you fixed the problem quickly and without needing a "burn permit", but do you go back and replace the joint with a proper brazed joint later on?

@mustashman260 Год назад

Totally agree. I work in a lot of high rises and there’s always a damn fire sprinkler head right next to the refrigerant pipes going into the air handler. Huge hassle to get the sprinkler company out, drain the floor or whole building, plug the head, RE pressurize the building. Then you braze your fittings in about 5 minutes, pressure test and then have the sprinkler company reverse everything they just did. Every time you do this it takes hours and around $1000 per sprinkler head. As an HVAC business owner I’m looking at getting one of these just for this situation. If my guys can press the refrigerant pipes in a few minutes and save $1000 a unit this thing will pay for itself after 4 units. Oh, and for all the naysayers out there saying just cover the sprinkler head with a cup of water; DON’T TRUST THIS. You set that head off in a multi floor condo and your looking at $100,000 in damage minimum. Know several other contractors who’ve done it. I’m personally looking at the Milwaukee 2922-22m though.

@caidhg Год назад

It's great we have this for flameless job sites but induction heaters I think fulfilled that. You should grease the contact surface on the jaw and piston if you haven't already, probably make the tool last much longer.

@MR-nl8xr Год назад

Yea, but those suckers are expensive too. On the plus side, you can still use regular fittings for it.

@fldave612 Год назад

Instead of cutting the bell off of the service valves, you could have StayBrighted a stub onto the valve then crimped the RLS to that. This would have given you the full surface to connect the RLS too and the ability to braze tubing to the fitting the way the MFG intended should the need arise later on.

@diyhvacguy Год назад

Yea I’ll probably do this on the next one. Thanks for the tip!

@dougnemeth5657 Год назад

So you want to low temp a fitting so you can crimp on a fitting? Just learn to braze. Staybrite is illegal anyway.

@picklerix6162 Год назад

I like to use StayBrite 8 so I don't have to use nitrogen. The fittings and crimper are nice but expensive. A lot of plumbers are using the crimp fittings on water heaters and boilers now to save installation time. Steve Lav still uses his torch and regular fittings.

@diyhvacguy Год назад

I have a video on Staybrite 8 coming out next week! I love it!

@petersmart1999 Год назад

According to Harris #8 is good for 410a!

@MrDeviousdom Год назад

@@petersmart1999 I don't recommend soldering to someone that does not know how to solder. The fittings need to be tight otherwise you are going to be dropping little balls of solder right into the system. Also, don't flux the female side and only use a sparing amount halfway to the end of the tube.

@frankvoynar6427 Год назад

Yep, keyword. Sparingly. Great reply.😊

@doost6233 Год назад

Screw type couplers are the best does not need expensive crimping tool only regular wrench also removing crimps are difficult.

@raymondorevillo9630 Год назад

I am a full time plumber and I have the press tool, pex crimper and regular soldering torch. I will always always solder over press anytime I need to make Copper pipe connections. Unless I’m working with a leaking water line and cannot stop the flow of water all the way or a live main, however 9/10 if I can use a torch to do tbe job I would choose that all day long

@MR-nl8xr Год назад

I remember looking like I just watched a trainwreck happen when I stepped on to campus for the first time and saw the guys getting the prep work ready for a 4'' copper line job in a couple of the basements. They said it was the only way, because the hydronic line was so close the concrete ceiling and insulation, that there was no other way. Wish I could find out if they're still holding after all these years.

@rodgraff1782 Год назад

@@MR-nl8xr Do they even make 4” press fittings, or am I misunderstanding what you are saying?

@MR-nl8xr Год назад

@@rodgraff1782 No, you understood right. It was (what I remember to be) a stainless strap that they used a crimping tool, to get "crimped" onto the OD of the pipe. I think they got (tools and straps) it from a local Hirsch. At least that's how I remember it, it's been so long since then; I'd have to go back and look in some old photos of that campus to verify. I've never messed around with stuff until I landed there (and never hope to have to), so I can't exactly explain what it was, but I do KNOW it wasn't sweated, or soft brazed, which is enough for me not give a sh** about using it.

@paulrozinski1488 Год назад

From watching many HVAC videos on the subject of brazing, the biggest reason I see NOT to braze is the potential to contaminate the refrigerant with debris or flux. In an ideal system, nothing would be brazed. Hopefully these crimps withstand the pressures and the test of time.

@ianicus123 Год назад

This is why we flow nitrogen...

@blackdog5560 Год назад

There’s also these things called flares….

@williamwofford2503 Год назад

o-rings are a leak waiting to happen , schrader valves are proof of that over time the rubber contracts or wears out completely

@rodgraff1782 Год назад

It’s not the process that causes the problem. It’s the person who doesn’t know how to braze properly.

@AJ-ox8xy Год назад

This is super interesting. I've never seen propress for HVAC application. I'm all for new applications that would basically eliminate brazing mistakes by installers that never use nitrogen to prevent pluged up metering device.

@Nate-pc9ox Год назад

I work in the HVAC/R industry. Specifically in the Commercial and Industrial applications. I use this a lot now as many sites I go to do not allow Hot Work(using open flames). These are becoming more widely used in the industry. These crimpers and fittings that are used are specifically designed for refrigerants. Do NOT confuse these with the ones used on water line as they do not crimp the same way and will leak if you try to use them on refrigerant lines.

@diyhvacguy Год назад

Maybe that’s why everyone is saying they leak 🤣 wouldn’t that be funny. And a nightmare for people installing the wrong ones lol

@Nate-pc9ox Год назад

@@diyhvacguy it tends the be the biggest cause. The other cause is they didn’t ream the pipe(inside and outside) or clean the pipe. Which causes the o rings inside to fail. Either by nicking the o ring because it wasn’t deburred well enough or at all, or because dirt and debris isn’t allowing a tight seal.

@HonshuHigamori Год назад

@@Nate-pc9ox Any o ring will wear out sooner or later. A properly brazed connection will outlast the life of the equipment it's connected to, and probably the next equipment it's attached to as well. The same cannot be said for o rings. I appreciate that your customers are unwittingly telling you that they want to be a repeat customer for all the leaks that will develop over the lifespan of their equipment, all because they can't secure you a space to braze for a couple hours during an install, and I hope you bill them for their stupidity, but as a tradesman, you should know better and should make them aware of the consequences of their decisions. If they know that and still think they'll lose too much money letting you do things right, well, that's on them then.

@Nate-pc9ox Год назад

@@HonshuHigamori first off, get off your high horse. Second, even if a leak does occur 10-20 years down the road, those companies would rather deal with that possibility, rather than blowing up a city block because we wanted to use torches in an area that has gas mixture in the air that is 10 times more volatile than acetylene. There are areas where it is impossible to “shutdown” for a couple hours, all because is can and does take weeks to Months to get the area clear of everything to be able to braise in those locations. And braise joints due the same things. I have seen them break apart and leak after 10 years, some after 6 days that I have had to repair. Braising doesn’t mean it is the best. It’s just another part that can fail like everything else.

@HonshuHigamori Год назад

@@Nate-pc9oxAs I said, if your customer has weighed the pros and cons and decided that they save more money guaranteeing leaks down the road than allowing for a proper braze, then fine, thats on them. No different from car manufacturers that decide out of court settlements are cheaper than recalls or manufacturing things properly in the first place. Its just a symptom of the times. I absolutely won't get off my high horse on this issue. O rings wear out well before the life of any equipment they serve wears out. Properly brazed linesets do not. If you have an apprentice that needs education on how to properly support and braze a lineset, I would be happy to teach them for a reasonable fee. Properly brazed linesets do not break "after six days". If you want to do things right, you braze. If you want to "gas up" your customer and guarantee continual service calls from them to trace down leaks every couple of years, go ahead and use your o rings. Your customer made their choice, so your conscience should be clear.

@markcavelli9087 Месяц назад

I have been in the HVAC field for over 100 years. RLS is the way to go.

@seriousfaith Год назад

Informative video, the plumbing folks switched over to Pro Press a few years ago. According to one of the service managers I worked with, it allowed him to hire folks without having to teach them to solder or braze- lowering the skills bar on an industry that struggles to attract and retain talent. I will say I liked using Pro Press when it was cold to save time...but man, it doesn't feel very good.

@anthonyspadafora1384 Год назад

Yea, and then when it comes time to replace a compressor or reversing valve they won't know how to braze.

@rodgraff1782 Год назад

Pro press for water piping is ok, especially in tight areas where you can’t braze. I have been retired for 16 years, and it was being used before that.

@mrdan2898 Год назад

Agree. Although the excuse of some people not wanting to teach welding, is a weak excuse as welding is really easy. I have used both, and had press fittings fail for unknown reasons while solder joints never fail for me as of yet. I could even put my whole weight on a solder joint, but would I do that with a press fitting, never. 😉

@joemamaluc312 6 месяцев назад

We used a propress brand system in a occupied medical area installing VAV boxes with Hot water heat. The only advantage was we didn't have to get burn permits every day and no torches were used in the ceilings. We had to mark every joint visually because there were typically 6 to 12 presses per VAV box and we installed over 500 boxes. Even doing that the guys missed several presses which we found when testing with air. It has its place but the press and fittings are expensive, but I wouldn't even think of using it on refrigeration lines. Good Luck!

@EverydayHomeRepairs Год назад

Pretty fancy stuff. Press fittings are becoming more and more common in HVAC and plumbing. Almost all the plumbers in my area have switched over to predominantly ProPress. 👍

@upallnight888 Год назад

When one of our water supply lines developed a leak, I found a plumber that uses crimp fittings instead of brazing/soldering to make the connection. My concern was that I didn't want an open flame in our house.

@blackdog5560 Год назад

Do you have gas heating at your home? Or ever cook over an open flame like a gas stove top? You can probably see where I’m headed….

@Epicfunk Месяц назад

Man I miss ac work! I was a tech but installing was always my favorite.

@dylan1300car Год назад

These press fittings are becoming very common. We have redone heating and air-conditioning systems in multiple schools now.

@jeffreyclarke7154 Год назад

By time you do all that I’ll have the whole condenser done and ready to go working on air handler

@diyhvacguy Год назад

This was a tutorial not a speed test silly

@jeffreyclarke7154 Год назад

@@diyhvacguy no I know this, just messing with you man. Thought I’d give you a hard time hahaha

@chrisdanielson1219 6 месяцев назад

This is the future because they have to go to flameless connections. Not because it's easier. The new refrigerant they will be making us switch to is flammable.

@nickwinn7812 3 месяца назад

So what? The system will be purged at the time of brazing. I have not had any problems working on systems charged with R290, it's just a case of knowing what you're dealing with.

@chrisdanielson1219 3 месяца назад

@@nickwinn7812 Ok. That's what I was told. I have never done service on these new systems. Hope no one accidentally tries to unsweat a line on a unit that wasn't properly evacuated. Especially inside a building. Mistakes happen all the time. Sounds like a disaster waiting to happen.

@SpecialistOne Месяц назад

I bought a compressor kit with several nail guns on sale and when I went to use it several years later, I noticed that all the plastic pieces and some of the o-rings were disintegrated. Plastic containers I bought and placed in the attic or basement became all brittle and cracked over a long period of time (5-10 years). Either the resins plastic manufactures use in making plastics and o-rings are not long lasting, or it is the nature of these materials to break down over time. The brazing is probably for commercial AC, and stay-brite 8 is a good choice for residential, and these pro-press should be used only when torch cannot be used.

@trinito97 Год назад

It couldn’t be a good idea as long as you have room for the tool, also if your fitting don’t go inside walls. I don’t think brazing its going to go away.

@behrens97 3 дня назад

As soon as I got to the brazeless part I came to comments right away and was not let down. My dad and brother are commercial HVAC techs and I knew right away it was a bad idea. It seems like it’s for the ones that don’t want go through the trouble to do nitrogen flow

@alberthartl8885 Год назад

2 years ago I visited a LG training facility. I noticed that all the refrigerant lines were press fit. Now it looks like R32 will be the most common refrigerant. Because R32 is flammable, the press fit fittings make perfect sense.

@anthonyspadafora1384 Год назад

Are they press fitting the compressor and reversing valves and everything else inside the condenser?

@mrearly2 Год назад

Your comment is probably the most relevant: Crimped fittings are apt for the flammable refrigerant, whereas they are not needed for non-flammable refrigerants.

@billsmith9249 Год назад

I am an IT field engineer and many years ago, I was tired of waiting on electricians to put in my conduit... so I shadowed under a soon-to-be retiring 33+ year master electrician. Long story short, one of the many things he showed me was bending EMT... he had all the math formulas in his head ready to go.... it was crazy! I wrote them all down for 1/2" (most common for me) 3/4" and 1". I have the benders for 1/2 and 3/4 but I've never tried bending copper with them. I know copper is very soft compared to the rigid EMT... I wonder if those benders would work on copper piping? I would imagine I could do my saddle's, offsets, etc.... with copper, might look a little weird, lol

@billsmith9249 Год назад

Just got to your crimping part... that method is very similar to Pex B crimping.

@jeffsciba2028 Год назад

make a video

@xXSabotXx Год назад

Hey There Sir! Good Luck in your RU-vid HVAC journey! I work in the HVAC Field in MI, A Lead I work with who knows everything mechanical informed me that the worm drive in the HIllmor benders can be damaged if you use the green release while under pressure. Just hold the handle slightly to remove tension then use the green release and it won't damage the mechanism and cause premature failure/ excess play.

@diyhvacguy Год назад

Good to know! Thanks so much for sharing your knowledge! I really appreciate that

@ThePraiseparty Год назад

it is a crappy bender, i went back to the cheap ones

@SixTwoHemi 6 месяцев назад

Stay bright 8 works like plumbing solder and doesn’t void the warranty cutting the king valve.

@themrmoy40 Год назад

good to have in your arsenal, for different applications and times. if they make it, why not. some are so close-minded on only brazing. it's the price that scares them away.

@diyhvacguy Год назад

So true. To each their own 👍🏼

@Rob0243 Год назад

Legitimately the price is no where near comparable. I have looked several times at it I love tools in general but I can not even com close to legitimizing the purchase of this as a Service Technician. 20+ years in the field and not on the low end of wages by any means. Over time it may come down but definitely more cost effective for a technician to braze. One thing if only if it maybe double or triple the initial cost but a welding rig $350 or press machine for $2500-4000 based on region. That is not close at all.

@PH-md8xp Год назад

I have no intention of ever messing around with my HVAC system, yet, for some reason, I find that I can’t stop watching these videos.

@diyhvacguy Год назад

Haha I’m glad you are finding them entertaining! It’s fun to watch what others in the trades do on a day to day basis. Cheers

@1realtruthrightnow742 Год назад

The hate in these comments is unreal. More than half of you complaining about this dude and these new tools are probably alcoholics that never went anywhere in life and are bitter as hell. Again, Thank you DIY HVAC Guy for taking the time to make and post this video.

@diyhvacguy Год назад

Thanks man, there will always be haters. The world is full of hate, but there’s no need for it. I do it because of viewers like yourself. Cheers man

@schrodingerscat7218 Год назад

Informative and terrifying. Cut the OEM, void the warranty, buy an expensive crimper which is missing the 0.75in jaws, what could go wrong. It worked for you and you are an excellent craftsman but the rest of us must braze.

@rodgraff1782 Год назад

It’s better if you anneal hard copper pipe, so you don’t get the wrinkles. If the lines were left long enough, you would have only two joints

@ethanroberts6838 Месяц назад

Jesus christ that is so much extra work. I could have brazed that system up in a tenth of the time.

@davidgordon8102 Год назад

I haven't heard that a press tool was capable of the kind of pressures that are generated from HVAC compressors. 400 plus psi on R410A. Also there will be some vibration in the refrigerant line, how are the joints going to stand up to that. If it does work there will be a lot less contamination in the HVAC systems from poor brazing practices that are so prevalent in the industry.

@diyhvacguy Год назад

That’s the idea, zero contaminants from brazing with no nitrogen, or getting flux in the lines when soldering. They are tested up to 700 psi which the high pressure switch will kick in well before that to prevent major damage.

@davidgordon8102 Год назад

@@diyhvacguy the propress units I've seen are only rated at 175 psi or less. Which propress are you comparing your numbers with. I think it would be great if your numbers are right. I'd like too see some documentation of any propress achieving 700 PSI working pressure.

@persimonsen8792 Год назад

@@davidgordon8102 The 700psi could be burst.

@phillynott795 Месяц назад

Great tool you definitely learn something new everyday, Thank You!

@josephrocha7879 Год назад

Know for a fact. We had a freeze for a couple of days and when the temperature started going up, we had line breaks on our water lines where we used press fittings. We tried lime hell to wrap everything on the property and drip faucets but at the end, we had leaks. Once you get the water to ice up, they will leak. Great for warm temperatures all year round.

@diyhvacguy Год назад

Plumbing is a different ballgame my friend. This is for refrigerant lines and it’s a totally different system, and for that matter totally different crimp fitting then the water ones 👍🏼

@josephrocha7879 Год назад

Yea, I know. I would never have my HVAC department do that.

@GiovannyAltamirano94 Год назад

@@josephrocha7879 no i think you onto something, the oring is just a rubber ring and in cold climates were we get anywhere from -20 to 90 degrees the oring can deteriorate by freezing and causing to crack, with the pressure of 150-250psi its possible.

@mrfrenzy. Год назад

If you didn't have press fittings the pipe would have split instead. Unless you are using PEX lines that can expand freezing will always cause a leak, the ice simply must expand somewhere.

@avflyguy 2 месяца назад

I'm not sold on it. Took just as long if not longer, and made it virtually impossible to fix at the low and high manifold without having to cut every bit of that out. As a customer, I would not allow the HVAC crew to use that contraption on any of my copper pipes. Those that can solder or braze would have beat you by 10 minutes and even if a leak, would be an easy repair with torch and rod. Not to mention as a customer, you're going to bump up the repair price to help pay for all the tools and *expensive* fittings that go along with it. Me thinks this may be short lived in the HVAC world, without further refinements.

@danc.5607 Месяц назад

My water heater was installed using those o-rings last year. After it was all done and the installer left, I realized that I should not have allowed the o-rings. Rubber o-rings will get hard or shrink and will eventually fail. A good solder joint will never fail. Big dummy I am...

@bobshanery5152 2 месяца назад

Many people are saying how these will not last and leak. I think many here are forgetting one key issue. The new systems coming out are made to fail and you probably wont even get half the life span out of these connections before the garbage new systems need to be replaced.

@JOHNABLANK Год назад

Makes for a nice clean connection! Thanks for sharing.

@seadweller8458 7 месяцев назад

I encourage all ac companies to use these kind of connections. Will give me job security fixing all your leaks a few years later

@joeybrazda364 Год назад

People saying that these fittings won’t last long enough. The point is that it needs to last as long as the equipment.

@ArtVanAuggie Год назад

I know you guys never screw up. I occasionally do. How do you get those damned things off when you butt them up to a valve (as in your demo)? I also worry about big temp swings and expansion/contraction. Stay-Silv for critical apps.

@diyhvacguy Год назад

I’m going to do a video in removing one and brazing it in if it happens for whatever reason.

@MR-nl8xr Год назад

@@diyhvacguy Now that will be an interesting video.

@preludepatrick Год назад

Had a plumber use this kind of tool on a new water supply line run into my house. Wasn't crazy about the idea of O-rings that will eventually dry/crack/degrade but he assured me that it was specially designed for plumbing and should last for several decades. I'm not sure I'd trust it with HVAC where the pressures are a lot higher and there's constant vibration from the compressor. There's a reason you had to the line on the condenser...because the manufacturer wants you to braise the joints.

@mathewvalint8886 Год назад

Try the Smartlock fittings. Only need 2 adjustable wrenches to install. The only fitting on the market that fits over the swage hubs at the condenser and the coil. No need to do any surgery on the service falls. No expensive tools to buy. No de burring. Oring seals are only good for POE oils.

@diyhvacguy Год назад

Please email me with more info on this! I’d love to know more. Diyhvacguy@gmail.com thanks!

@bunzeebear2973 Год назад

My bending tool was a long piece of copper wire. I wrap it around the pipe and make the bend and it is not kinked. Cheap too.

@diyhvacguy Год назад

Cool! What awg?

@wjstewdog Год назад

Great vid. Very happy to see HVAC using new gear.

@drewthompson7457 Год назад

I'm not an HVAC guy, but I have read that the main problem with car A/C units is leaking from the O-rings. I haven't had a problem soldering pipes.

@williambrennan5701 Год назад

looks ok for working on lines previously filled with flammable refrigerant

@baddoggie101 Месяц назад

It's great to see all the neat tools and how to use them but I am a caveman living very close to the earth and can afford only the bear minimum.

@ThePeavey23 Год назад

Just left a company that used these fittings for a couple of years , now they have a technician that goes back and replace these fittings with a normal braze joint. I now work for my self an will never use any kinda fitting the has a rubber gasket . I was very fortunate to learn how to braze due to being trained by older men with true talents . Honestly learn to braze an you will have a true skill that can be used for way more

@diyhvacguy Год назад

If you’m watch my past videos you’ll see that I am proficient at brazing. I just really wanted to test out this product because Zac over at Qualityhvacr seems like he knows what he’s doing and he uses the rls kit all the time. I’ll probably continue to braze and solder with Staybrite 8 and have this for certain scenarios. Probably part of the issue was that the fittings weren’t installed properly. The installer really needs to be in tune with how the fitting should feel sliding on, and that pipe had better be prepped correctly or I agree, you will have problems. At any rate I can respect a fellow tradesman who chooses to braze as it is tried and tested 👊🏼 cheers

@newmonengineering Год назад

I didn't know these were rated at the psi needed for hvac work. It looks cool but I think brazing is better. I can braze those joints almost as fast as you and that tool if not faster. Cool tool though.

@Rico-oy3dc 2 месяца назад

Soon use of fire will be forbidden due to to insurance and liability considerations. Consider the fact that the future most-likely will forbid ANY chlorinated or fluorinated refrigerants as well. You will only have CO2, NH3, and fuel gases. Watch and see.

@roysuggs3635 Год назад

The fact that R410A is being replaced with a Propane based refrigerate that can go BOOOOOM!!! Only problem is the o-rings start leaking after a year or two.😕

@diyhvacguy Год назад

Debatable. If prepped properly they have a 10 year warranty. Why would they do that if they leak after a year? I know folks that have been using this tool for several years with no problems

@Garth2011 Месяц назад

My guess is those fittings will have to prove themselves after a few decades of use. The material that makes the seal is likely going to breakdown over time and pressure cycles. There is also an alternative to having to use nitrogen with brazing...SOLDER. There is a solder out there that can be used vs. brazing rod and it doesn't oxidize like brazing does inside the copper. The crimp tool idea seems reasonable however, if you are a good tech with a torch, it's a lot faster and less clustered to solder. I do agree the tubing bender idea is the way to go vs. sloppy handmade bends that look like limp noodles leading up to the condenser or evaporator. Check into Stay-Brite 8 solder for copper HVAC lines...good stuff and a propane torch will do. Requires Stay-Clean flux...It's a silver bearing solder, good for 3,000 psi.

@dragonfxinvestments3982 14 дней назад

This may work fine when you have lots of room to fit that tool but I’ve done lots of work in tight closets where it’s easier to fit the torch then it would be to fit those huge clamps.

@andrew.random7 Год назад

Please! Make as much as possible such "connections". We all will have enough projects in future

@Rocketman88002 Год назад

The technology is new just like PEC was way back when. The same rules apply now as then. "Let someone else use it for awhile then sit back and wait. Sweat fittings never fail when done right. I made a living joining dissimilar metals together via soldering. Simplicity isn't always the reason to do something quickly. If time is money than guaranteeing your work by simply taking the time to do it once and for all is worth it. Granted the soldered connection isn't a mechanical connection. It's a well designed connection requiring nothing more than prepping the connection pieces together with solder, a liquid that flows to the space between the connection and sets up.

@samsingh4038 2 месяца назад

That's going to ensure that hvac people continue to have a job for sure. As well as add those much needed hfcs to the ozone depletion.

@martinleonard1566 Год назад

Did an old church basement no torches allowed. That was about ten years ago. Haven’t had a leak yet. I believe it’s a bit more work. But a lot safer. I also believe the fitting are pricey. So you’ll have a lot of the old timers hating on this. But I believe it’s the future. The Hvac technology has been unchanged for awhile. Hopefully they can find a way to heat and cool. With less waste.

@diyhvacguy Год назад

Thanks so much for sharing! I’m convinced that a lot of these guys are doing no prep work, just slapping these fittings on, not thoroughly inspecting the pipe for deep scratches where the o ring will be, and if that’s the case then yes you can expect to see a leak. But thanks for sharing your experience! That’s great to hear.

@Uncle.J.32 Год назад

It’s funny how so many people say press fittings will leak down the road. I’m 12 years in the field and every year I have to fix brazed joints leaking because people didn’t put enough heat on the joint or didn’t apply heat in the correct area of the joint. All processes have potential to leak

@diyhvacguy Год назад

So true

@diyhvacguy Год назад

“But you’ll never see one of MY braze joints leak, and I can be done before you get your fancy tool out of the box” 🤣

@nordicmetals Год назад

I looks like alot extra work to me. If the manufacturer had the right fittings then mabe. For now I'm sticking with brazing

@diyhvacguy Год назад

I can respect that. Just thought I'd share for my viewers :) Cheers

@tejeda7324 Год назад

nobody ever tells you these machines cost up to $5000 depending on the brand... just stick to brazing

@donweaver5493 Год назад

I will continue using the time and proven solder method.

@diyhvacguy Год назад

I respect that. Just wanted to share what I’m doing 👍🏼

@derrickanthony4 Год назад

Saw a walking in freezer with this stuff it works

$@frickfrack8685$

@frickfrack8685 Год назад

Brazing is a reliable way of joining copper, on the commercial side I would shy away from it defiantly with High pressure gasses. I would use it all day long on domestic water, hydronic applications.

@Rob0243 Год назад

Everyone bashing but as always there is a time and a place. Some areas are worth the possibility of having to make a repair in 5 to 10 years. Think about sweating in a connection in a computer room with VESDA and Halon or a oxygen room at a hospital or medical facility. Totally worth not having to go through the Hot Work Permits. Not Having to clear out the Oxygen rooms , but for those to be considered it is important for other methods to be tried and tested. Sure it has been accommodated in past but other methods-can be welcomed.

@m.g.540 Год назад

Always check the fitting for the o-ring is in place, had one that was missing, no fun at all!, but that was hydronic heating,

@diyhvacguy Год назад

I’d have found out real quick with my pressure test haha thanks for sharing 🙏🏻

@tommyteamer9037 Год назад

You explain how to copper brazing really well

@kevinikola8003 Год назад

Very Interesting. I wonder if this would last 30 years. Time will answer this question.

@diyhvacguy Год назад

Yesir. I’m willing to be the trail blazer 😎

@uptone12111 Год назад

Just watched a vid-they took the o'rings out and pressure tested the fitting -it didnt leak-so even after the rubber is worn the fitting should hold-its more of a compression fitting.

@Fr4nkSanchez 9 месяцев назад

It is very handy and saves a lot of time

@tylermccubbin63 Год назад

I have the Streamline. It’s nice not having to braze inside. Also no hot permits for commercial. I wouldn’t recommend using it on the condenser like this. If that starts leaking you’ll be replacing the service valve

@diyhvacguy Год назад

Not true. I’ll do a video soon on how to remove the fittings and braze it if need be. Thanks for the comment. Cheers

@peterdarlington4117 6 месяцев назад

I thought it was a joke at first but buddy is seriously recommending doing this “professionally!”😂😂 even if you could convince me that those won’t leak within 5 years (which you won’t) the tool set is a couple grand and the fittings are around 10 bucks a piece! Learn to braze bud!

@hvacmike1175 Год назад

We have tried multiple options for no flame copper connections. The industry will have to find an alternative to make copper connections that are leak free without flames. We have been using pro fit sockets and unions for copper connections. In the near future open flames will not be allowed. The zoom lock your using WILL FAIL. WE know this from experience. We still use it for our plumbing department. But they are not reliable over time in the hvac systems. Maybe the vibrations or possibly the chemical composition of the refrigerant. We have made a commitment to remove torches from our trucks ASAP.

@cranman4094 2 месяца назад

The exposed refrigeration lines are crazy. Moisture is our enemy even if it’s just for a few minutes, cover those lines your driers will thank you for it.

@daveyt4802 Месяц назад

Need to try the Parker push to connect fittings next!

@romanthechristian5237 3 месяца назад

The company I work for has one press tool. Everyone wants it lol you only get to use it once in a while

@toddjacobs5660 2 месяца назад

Im a retired union pipefitter and exray pipe welder, tig, mig, & stick welder, i have used propress a lot & works good, but as far as a central air unit, i would rather sweat those joints, i dont totally like propress because the O rings are only rubber and will dry rot eventually... Sweating is the long lasting correct way ...

@scottfranco1962 Год назад

Nest. Not sure why people find soldering so hard though. I'll take the reliability of a soldered connection.

@diyhvacguy Год назад

are you using Staybrite 8? I have a video coming out on this tomorrow. I haven’t given up on brazing or soldering but this is a cool tool to have for certain jobs.

@hunterjm5774 Год назад

Very cool, very neat, very modern. No way in hell will those last as long as some 40, 50 year old original brazed connections u have seen. These serve a purpose though! They will last as long as the new junk modern condensers will! About 15 20 years max! 😂