I am sure if you had a channel get as big as his you would do the same, any one of us would love to get these tools for free or even at a discount and then get paid to show case them. So go ahead and move on... I will continue to enjoy his videos and support his channel.
Been doing hvac for roughly 7 months, falling in love with the trade more and more everyday! Your videos have MOST definitely helped give me a better understanding of what’s going on.
then you need to not watch one of these bs videos. this is not whats going on. best advice is to work with someone who has been in the trade for 20 years or more, they will show you the correct way.
@@wendtheatandair oh for sure man I understand what you mean, I still much rather prefer brazing then using those press fittings but overall the guy does some solid work, so that’s what’s helped me raise my own bar at work as well. If that makes sense.
Reaming is very important. Leaving those burrs at every joint ads up to quite a pressure loss. I once was at a commercial job where an inspector saw a tech not reaming his pipe. He made him cut the whole system apart, and do it over. It is in most job specs, just like purging while brazing. Not doing so is just plane laziness, and no pride in workmanship.
I used zoomlock a 3 years ago and it leaked 2 years later at all the joints. We had the little symbol showing meaning we did it right. Hopefully the tech has gotten better. Unfortunatly though to use a press on fitting you have to braze connection points onto the coil and condensor as well as braze in your filter dryer unless they fixed those problems
No point if you have to braze the coil and the condenser if im running line sets sometimes i dont use couplings with a tubing bender until the coils and the condenser comes pro press ready this is just extra work
Time is money. If this tool can help you get the job done and in a timely manner why not invest? I've been in the industrial field for over 15 years. The 1 common saying I heard growing in the field was "work smarter, not harder". I believe this is working smarter. Would love to try this thing out. Definitely investing into this
@@Jake-by9ly Theres a reason why people still weld in 2022....Not because they like to or its fun. If you had a drill that can put in screws 17x faster then you will just be expected to screw in 17 times as many screws. Tech only helps our lives to a certain point.
34 years in the Commercial HVAC business....Too expensive and still subject to leaks. A well prepped fitting and pipe will out last any of these press systems. Good video!
This system just reminds me a little too much of the Ford automotive spring lock connections. They’re real great when they’re new for a couple years of vibration and heat and they leak like grandma’s spaghetti strainer. I’m all for new ideas if they work. But I know when I’ve welded a joint it’s not coming apart.
@@srobeck77 Trust me, I was skeptical at first to, but also open to new ideas. I have been in the trade 26 years and have seen some pretty crazy ideas in HVAC (ammonia anyone?). I did my entire LG VRF lab with RLS fittings in 2019 and haven't had ONE issue. Keep in mind too that with LG VRF, the metering device is in the indoor unit, so we are running alot higher pressures than a residential mini-split sytem. And the fittings are warrantied for 10 years.
Problem with that tool is the fittings are $15-25 per, and you still had to break out the torch to braze that stub on the heat pump and the air handler. So you still had to drag out your torch and nitrogen. In the attic that was a great application for the tool. If you just use a tubing bender you could have just brazed the pipe to the A/C and you would have no joints other then the connections to the heat pump to ever leak. This is why I decided to not buy this tool, as I knew I would be dragging out all my other gear anyway. Not trying to bad mouth your work, you did a very nice job. That customer is lucky they did not get some hack to install their system. Very nice work and attention to detail.
@@cabbagesoup7879 For this application he was relocating it so it was pumped down, cut and moved. But on a new install still need torches for outdoor unit or cut bell to attach press fitting to non-swagged part pipe.
@@nessnesu6202 I’m well aware of this as stated in my comments. I’m saying that before this needs to be sold and pushed as a great tool they need to address the connections at the condenser and evaporator coils or what’s the point of having it. Ok sure I’ve cut an pumped down and moved an old system. Wow I get to press on a 90. That was well worth the thousands it cost for the tool. Would by these tools for each of my crews in a heartbeat if it truly was a no braze system from start to finish
Thank You for sharing your RLS tool. Good Job! Good Video. I do have 2 more processes, which I observed MUST be executed for this job! # 1) Please use a small Nitrogen cylinder with blowing Kit/Gun to clean pipe-works/fittings . DO NOT and NEVER-EVER blow air through your mouth to pipes? To avoid contaminating / adding moisture to your line set / system. #2). Please rub compatible refrigerant oil @ the O-Ring prior to insertion to avoid possible damage.
@@User-be5yj Nope not a trick question? you can find the inside temp at your condenser keep thinking, look at the condenser and think of what it does. So trick to question is within the question, . God bless have fun ✌
Specifically talking about the tool itself it actually seems cool and convenient. Everyone in the comments complaining about leaks in 5-10 years as if the customer is going to expect a free callback to fix it that long after lol. Atleast the tool will keep us in business! 😂
I checked the price on these things and I’ve decided to stick with my oxy-acet. Honestly I would not be able to sleep that night if I used those fittings. I’d be like damn did I crimp it good? Did I mess up the oring? Nope can’t do it lol. If it was cheaper I’ll be all over it I ain’t going to lie for hard to braze places.
That is actually my issue. But if they ever make fittings to correct this, I will buy one immediately. $3500 may sound like a lot, but if you're good, it will save you enough time to squeeze in enough jobs that it will pay for itself in a few weeks.
@Sven3xs no, I mean weeks. If I install an extra 2 systems a week with the time saved with press tools, the money made from. The installs will pay for the tool in a few weeks. Not year. Weeks
Works good for Nat gas lines too. But I forgot to mark the depth..and it costs me.. So a guy can use it for plumbing water lines gas lines and refrigeration..lines. Very cool.. Costly Though.
@@Diaszurana I dont know what kind of brazing youre doing that you can save enough time in 2 weeks to save 100$ worth of labor, much less 3500$. Not to mention the money lost every fitting you put in. I can sweat an entire lineset in 20 mins. Thats bending corners, sanding fittings/pipe, wrapping valves and lugging a torch around. You might do it twice as fast, but spend 20-100$ on fittings. Even if fittings were free. 10 mins saved per install? If you do one install per day for 2 weeks youre only saving 2 hours. If youre charging 1750$ per hour, yeah it will pay for itself in a few weeks. I need your customer base, because ill glady work for 1500$ hour.
Been out of the trade for twenty years but I would have taken a piece of 3/4 inch ENT (blue smurf) and put it on the 5/8 copper line at the entrance to the attic , bent a nice smooth elbow at that point and saved having to make a joint in that area. The rubber insulation will fit over the bend if you use some baby powder. 1 inch works on 3/4 pipe . Something I happened on as an A/C and electrical Contractor. The tool seemed to work but I would still prefer the old brazing method. But very interesting post.
Awesome video bro! You could be an Hvac instructor. You are very clear, and straight to the point on all your work and demonstrations. You are 1 of my favorite guys online!!
Bruh no no, he said he's going from 5/8 copper to 3/8" and then marks pipe twice instead of doing it just once buddy's messing up all over the place plus it must be nice that daddy had his own hbac company not like he didn't help you at all...smh
@@1971omi the o rings are recessed inside the fittings and seated in that recession so it kinda helps protect them and keeps them locked in position so when you put pipe in and out of the fitting it doesn’t really wear down that oring I totally understand why the old timers prefer solder but I mean especially in MA they are making it harder and harder to solder like in Boston if I wanna solder a joint I have to fuckin pull a permit and get a firefighter to come out and watch me do it even if it’s just one 5 minute joint I have to do that so why would I waste all that time? Time is Money friends.
@@moonlightacmaintenance3232 I do refrigeration my friend. That set up is for newbie dyi jobs not any seasoned tech. Car hold up max 1lb 134A or R12. Some jobs I do is Propane refrigeration. I do know my stuff. O ring on 134A maybe but not a job due to laziness that going to cost arm and leg later on. Air to the system due to leak. BRAZING, Evacuation, virgin refrigerant then TEST ALL FOR THIS BECAUSE DIDN'T WANT TO BRAZING. WOW.
Great tool for some jobs. Really nice for work at hospitals, instead of having someone braze, another ignite the torch and someone else to spot you can just do your thing all by yourself. Saves a lot on labor.. 1 guy vs 3 guys per job
It seems helpful on “tight to braze spots”(particularly fire risk areas like the old insulation stuff in the wall on old houses) but I’d like to see if they hold up pressure in 5-10 years after so many cycles,specially on heat-pump systems which it’s twice as many and brutal on expanding and contracting the fittings! I’m not saying you’re wrong…but I might be right!
Idk man. If it’s in a tough spot. I prefer to braze it. I would hate to have to come back to the right spot to fix a leak. That’s my take on it. I feel like anything with an o ring will leak eventually. Maybe not in 5 years. But 15 20 later.
@@suspect_fb No there isn't, copper will eventually weaken and start to leak. You can have all of your joints as sealed as possible but that metal will leak whether it's 10 years or 70 years. Something will cause a leak.
I just ordered one of these kits with your discount code. I hope you get some sweet comish from it!! Thanks bro 👊🏼 super excited to use this and save time on installs! Cheers
If that tubing is not perfectly round like the press lock fittings, there won't be uniform compression on the tubing and "o" rings. It's bound to leak eventually.
Hopefully this iteration of these fittings is different. Have been on multiple vrf installs in condos where the ENTIRE job had to be redone because they failed after a few months. The fittings I'm talking about are no longer in service. But I'm skeptical AF of these especially with refrigerants becoming higher and higher pressure. Convenience is there - I just personally haven't been sold on these as a long term solution across our industry.
@@joeb9600 my thoughts exactly...however this appears like it would pay for itself pretty, quickly. Plus the simplicity of it, its speed, and saving money on nitrogen and acetylene, this looks like its worth a shot.
@@Aquariun9iteMMare the risk of losing my reputation with my customer and the cost of the warranty repair is what stops me. At the end of the day, I trust a good braze - I don't put a lot of faith in these braze free solutions even though they may save time and lower costs IF it works perfectly and holds over time. There have been so many iterations of this exact thing and they all seem to go the same way. Your torches and acetylene pay for themselves too, I hope. You charge for them! IDK, maybe I'll try these on a residential side job and if it doesnt hold I'll go back and braze fittings in. I try not to be too close minded.
I was just on a job with something like 100 condos , each with multiple units. The guy had a press tool and no question it paid for itself 10 times over in saved labor
@@ianicus123seems to me that with brazing there is more time spent to set up with acetylene and nitrogen and fire safety considerations. On that job site I mentioned with over a hundred condos and multiple units per condo the mechanical company foreman says it was a “ no brainer” using the press fittings
It is, but you can always pass that to the client. It's not like you're screwing them over, either. That 30-60 minutes you save is 30-60 minutes less time waiting for cooling.
Call me old school, but I’ll be the last to adapt Press fittings. I’m waiting on a video of someone fixing a leak on one of these by cutting it out and brazing.
@@TheJordanwright customer does not care whether you are brazing or press fitting. so why do you think you can get more work by press fitting? lol stop talking like a clown
@@TheJordanwright are you? because this press fitting doesn't work for coils and discharge line connections especially on r410a systems. you definitely have to bring out your brazing stuff to complete the job. so whats the point of this press fitting especially when it costs $2000+?
I recall these at Ferguson a couple years back, after the demo I was iffiy at best, then the price drop on me........yea Ill keep doing it with the flame thank you.
Love the tool. Brazing is such a mess by comparison . One question about the fittings. I noticed on the outdoor vertical line, when you crimped the top side, the fitting flared open kind of like an upside down umbrella. Do you think that opening (if left exposed) might be a trap for water to accumulate ?? I know that a suction line would typically be insulated but that leaves the liquid line. Comments, thoughts welcome😊👍
What are the maximum pressure of these fittings? Will coil cleaning chemicals attack the seals? Are these seals compatible with all refrigerants and oils?
i haven't done much commercial but at least for me in new construction in residential areas brazing/swaging/bending the copper saves me a lot of time on trimming houses guess i'd have to use the tool to see 👍🏽
Great video Zach. I’m gonna buy one of these tools for my company. We already have the pro press for water. I used one when they first came out not sure why I haven’t got one yet lol. Keep making these awesome videos brother 💪🏻💪🏻
When I took my refrigeration course my instructor showed us that using plumbing solder was plenty strong enough for refrigeration copper connections. I have never had a failure and you dont get all the oxidation inside the pipe from extreme heat.
yeah i could definitely see this tool making solo installs more appealing, pretty much could do any lineset by yourself by just popping into the attic or crawl a bit and linking up long runs $$
hahaha thats what i was thinking 3500$... and 20$ buck for a fitting lol. Labor cost that is pretty high here doesn't make it worth it still. To costly.
Does anyone else think it pointless, if you still have to braze stub outs on the service valves? Also the coil, so, if I have to pull out the torches. Then that defeat the purpose 🤷♂️🤷♂️🤷♂️
@@theredrepublic7973 What’s with the hostility. Atleast he knows how to braze. You’re probably pissed because you go trough multiple rolls just to get one line brazed.
@@Diaszurana People like him dont create or innovate non brazing processes nor choose to use them. Yet others create nonetheless. He isnt slowing down anything.
Our company used zoomlock fittings for a few years...they tend to leak a lot. All we use now is the maxi pro refrigeration fittings. Rothenberger makes the press tool for the fittings. Haven’t had a single leak yet
Rumour has it viega stayed away from Press ACR fittings because of outdoor climate with a rubber pressed conection asking for a failure in future. braze with nitrogen old school
Viega Pro Press is a 3 crimp system and they very much exist! The rep offered to supply all the fittings at no cost for my VRF lab, but we went with RLS because we had an account with them.
pro press somewhat near compressor? i give those a few mo nths before a leak appears. .-. i love pro press for plumbing dont get me wrong, but i dont think it belongs in HVAC installs.
@@jeremybelcher6681 because pro press does not make as good as a seal as regular solder. Especially being close to the compressor there is a-lot of vibration and it will just wiggle it loose after x amount of time. i've personally had to go back behind a few installs with these on them and put in regular solder joints.
This is a good product for short term use only. With time O ring will cause leaks 100% of the time, it will needed to be replaced just like the valves at all the units. 410A refrigerant operates in higher pressure. Brazed joints if done correctly will last much longer than O-ring joints. LOL
By the time he gets done with piping, I would already have been on a vacuum. Plus, how did he connect a coupling to the condensing unit. And the o rings are only good for 25 years.$$$$$"
"ex Sub-Zero appliance technician" If it's just effective as brazing, I'm a fan. As much as I love playing with gas and fire the risk of not vacuuming out the system fully is always there. 😅 Got to love that green flame the first time I ever messed with refrigerant we were still using Freon bags that would get holes occasionally
I'm old and new school in doing what I do for going on 30 years in this trade. Thank you much but I'll stick with brazing with oxy/ acetylene running nitro when possible and haven't had a leak on any of my joints since I can remember with my practice/ skills of brazing over 2" suction lines with proper tips minus alone silver brazing skills say stainless to copper of metric sized fittings that I doubt no such press shit can do Unbelievable how such top union companies that use such don't know shit about properly piping using oil return traps etc.
Not always, some manufactures have long enough stub outs on valves that can be cut off. It's not about one way or the other, do what works best for each situation.
Why the elbows when you have a bender? Eliminate 2 potential leaks for each instance by bending instead. Guess you needed to show all aspects of the tool in order to get it for free. I’m not buying one.
Trane and other manufacturers get bending incorrect these days.. Recycled copper is not what it used to be not just long ago. 6 RTUs we put up not long ago all had cracked discharge piping cracks in factory 90 bends out of scroll compressors resulting in losing all charge in all them in one season of operation! Vibration problem? Was told to cut out and repipe them with proper 90° fittings by Trane
Deburring is a must inside and out not just for the reasons you stated , but you don't need tiny pieces of copper free to clog something . And this goes for all pipe work .
Over priced toy offering a solution to a non existent problem. There are no long term studies to see how those fittings last when subjected to constant vibration and hydraulic pressure fluctuations. Brazing is just as fast. Brazing costs less; for the price difference of just 2 long radius elbows, I can buy a full refill of Acetylene. Add a coupler or two and I'm far better off financially brazing. Quality brazing rod (15% silver) lasts a lifetime and then some. I've been a licensed HVAC contractor for over 20 years, seen a lot of fads come and go.
Al is true, but next year we have propane mini-splits in Europe. I dont like brazing with trapped gas inside and is also forbidden to do it in Europe. Also hvac in Europe it is not alone mini splits, but also floorheating with air/water heatpump. On the water side we press every connection with tesame tool. Thus a non existing problem for the future?
@@merckxherve9116 Obviously you will need to pull the system into a vacuum during recovery of flammable gasses then purge the system properly with nitrogen. Our EPA wants to force us to use flammable refrigerants in a couple years. I foresee (in a couple years) a few dead service guys that don't follow procedure
The press tool sounds great, it saves time and dont have to flow nitrogren. But there are videos that show fittings leaked or even came apart. Might not have been installed correctly. I'll keep brazing. Nice demo though
Many people talk about the price - though price is always a concern - please tell me what QUALITY tool in this industry is cheap ?. As for this tool - makes connecting lines much safer - not having to have a flame.
GREAT VIDEO !! Plumber ,trying to learn more AC , thanks for explaining some of the things your doing and the numbers your looking for along the way , it helped me get a general idea of the process and and readings of a ac system basics , (with not so much info I get lost ). understanding different equipment sizing and developed length of your piping with change numbers and reading your probably looking for ... Thanks
Did you have to braze copper to the service valves and indoor unit in order to use the RLS tool? Does RLS offer a solution like they did with the dryer? Awesome video 👍
Pretty cool. Thanks for the demo. Manufacturers now need to produce units with stub-outs ready for press fittings. Until then…., my torch and nitrogen is already set up
I had a discussion in March with 2 Ruud engineers at a DSC meeting and they are planning on stopping the swaging of both the outdoor units and the coils in the near future. Also, Rectorseal has a fitting that goes OVER the swaged end on one side and the pipe goes in the other end like a Shark Bite fitting. No press necessary.
Many plumbers are also using pro press fittings similar to these. Not surprisingly the reviews are as mixed among plumbers as they seem to be among the HVAC techs here!
Forgive me for this question, but do you still have to make a soldered or brazed joint at the connection to the unit? If so, there’s more tools to carry now!
We propress our water lines, boiler-domestic in our buildings. Quick in and out, I got lucky had a air lock when taking out a ball valve. Prep is key with these press fittings. Now refrigerant I’m still not a believer in these, we all know any gasket type on ref side will leak eventually. Unless of course leak lock is applied than forget about it.
Thank you very much for such kind of great video , I have a question please Is there an adapter or connector to prevent the leakage of the air conditioner gas when removing the air conditioner gas pipes?
Copper good, press fit good. The problem with those fitting is the elastomer used for the seal is going to swell and/or shrink overtime causing a leak for sure. Also the system multiplies the failure points which is exactly what you don´t want to do.
Trane stocks the wheel you need for your grinder that takes off the laser etched letters found on some pipes... if not cut off those letters so you don’t have a leak.
I could see this being practical. You could braze as need at the shop prior to taking the unit to the site. Deliver to site, use the press fittings, pressure test, done.. profit.
very cool , what was your first fitting at the outdoor unit? braise fitting? yep, it was, not faulting you at all, just trying to learn because im gonna have to use that soon enough, there is a red crank fitting, dont want to mention names, that accepts a swage end to a regular pipe, for example 7/8" swage outdoor unit to 7/8" pipe. to be honest, that fitting is on my truck dash, the drawback is its a one use, so if i mess it up on install, now i gotta buy a new suction shut off
I will be doing a lot of apartment changeouts with the air handler having the refrigerant lines dangerously close to insulation, studding, and drywall. This will be perfect... I noticed the kit does not come with a 3/4's jaw... Do the jaws go by inside diameter (5/8's jaw for 3/4 OD) or outside diameter (3/4 jaw for 3/4)?
Went from a really good channel to another trutechtools salesman.
Yup, moving on.
I was thinking the same thing
Money talks. Can’t blame him. Means he’s doing something right. 👍🏻
I am sure if you had a channel get as big as his you would do the same, any one of us would love to get these tools for free or even at a discount and then get paid to show case them. So go ahead and move on... I will continue to enjoy his videos and support his channel.
Imagine going to watch a show you like and it's a 30min commercial.
Been doing hvac for roughly 7 months, falling in love with the trade more and more everyday! Your videos have MOST definitely helped give me a better understanding of what’s going on.
then you need to not watch one of these bs videos. this is not whats going on. best advice is to work with someone who has been in the trade for 20 years or more, they will show you the correct way.
@@wendtheatandair oh for sure man I understand what you mean, I still much rather prefer brazing then using those press fittings but overall the guy does some solid work, so that’s what’s helped me raise my own bar at work as well. If that makes sense.
This isn't how things actually roll ..
I just finished school and started working and I am too loving this trade! A lot good hvac tech TH-cam channels
I’ve never seen a Hvac technician so passionate about reaming and deburring pipe,, he must love his job
Reaming is very important. Leaving those burrs at every joint ads up to quite a pressure loss. I once was at a commercial job where an inspector saw a tech not reaming his pipe. He made him cut the whole system apart, and do it over. It is in most job specs, just like purging while brazing. Not doing so is just plane laziness, and no pride in workmanship.
Just a little something called, "having integrity".
Good to see a professional who is proud of his work. Amazing work. Thanks for sharing the video.
clean install, detail oriented business owner , taking pride in his work. Applies the best practices with a disciplined approach. Thumbs up!
I used zoomlock a 3 years ago and it leaked 2 years later at all the joints.
We had the little symbol showing meaning we did it right. Hopefully the tech has gotten better. Unfortunatly though to use a press on fitting you have to braze connection points onto the coil and condensor as well as braze in your filter dryer unless they fixed those problems
As much as I love the whole process of brazing, I gotta say that looks simple and efficient.
No point if you have to braze the coil and the condenser if im running line sets sometimes i dont use couplings with a tubing bender until the coils and the condenser comes pro press ready this is just extra work
@@sportsngamingdmv6673 not to mention the tool kit costs couple of grands. lol
And a whole lot faster! Be sure to charge flat rate, not HOURLY
Time is money. If this tool can help you get the job done and in a timely manner why not invest? I've been in the industrial field for over 15 years. The 1 common saying I heard growing in the field was "work smarter, not harder". I believe this is working smarter. Would love to try this thing out. Definitely investing into this
@@Jake-by9ly Theres a reason why people still weld in 2022....Not because they like to or its fun. If you had a drill that can put in screws 17x faster then you will just be expected to screw in 17 times as many screws. Tech only helps our lives to a certain point.
Do you still need to braze the stub outs at the king valves at at the coil or is there a way to avoid brazing all together?
34 years in the Commercial HVAC business....Too expensive and still subject to leaks.
A well prepped fitting and pipe will out last any of these press systems.
Good video!
This system just reminds me a little too much of the Ford automotive spring lock connections. They’re real great when they’re new for a couple years of vibration and heat and they leak like grandma’s spaghetti strainer. I’m all for new ideas if they work. But I know when I’ve welded a joint it’s not coming apart.
It like the switch from cash in the mattress to putting it into banks. All the old timers resist change until the day they die, no matter what.
@@srobeck77 Trust me, I was skeptical at first to, but also open to new ideas. I have been in the trade 26 years and have seen some pretty crazy ideas in HVAC (ammonia anyone?). I did my entire LG VRF lab with RLS fittings in 2019 and haven't had ONE issue. Keep in mind too that with LG VRF, the metering device is in the indoor unit, so we are running alot higher pressures than a residential mini-split sytem. And the fittings are warrantied for 10 years.
@@srobeck77 because they work best
@@srobeck77 Cash in the mattress is still better than in the bank
Sir I am also ac technician and work in saudi Arabia but you are good ticher....inspired by your working 😍
Problem with that tool is the fittings are $15-25 per, and you still had to break out the torch to braze that stub on the heat pump and the air handler. So you still had to drag out your torch and nitrogen. In the attic that was a great application for the tool. If you just use a tubing bender you could have just brazed the pipe to the A/C and you would have no joints other then the connections to the heat pump to ever leak. This is why I decided to not buy this tool, as I knew I would be dragging out all my other gear anyway.
Not trying to bad mouth your work, you did a very nice job. That customer is lucky they did not get some hack to install their system. Very nice work and attention to detail.
You make a day in the life of an HVAC engineer look EASY. Props to you bro on your skills & knowledge.
This is not a day life of an engineer rather HVAC technician
Not only is the investment high on that tool, but, it seems to take more time than fitting and brazing.
I lost my marker. I have to go home boss.
I like that you don’t have to bother with flowing nitrogen or burning anything. I just wonder how long those o-rings will last...
No nitrogen needed with Stay Brite 8 either. I used it for my last installation. I used a propane torch to melt the solder.
Still have to. Look at the numb of copper at the condenser he is attaching to
@@cabbagesoup7879 For this application he was relocating it so it was pumped down, cut and moved. But on a new install still need torches for outdoor unit or cut bell to attach press fitting to non-swagged part pipe.
@@nessnesu6202 I’m well aware of this as stated in my comments. I’m saying that before this needs to be sold and pushed as a great tool they need to address the connections at the condenser and evaporator coils or what’s the point of having it. Ok sure I’ve cut an pumped down and moved an old system. Wow I get to press on a 90. That was well worth the thousands it cost for the tool. Would by these tools for each of my crews in a heartbeat if it truly was a no braze system from start to finish
My company stopped using zoom lock because it sucked it doesn’t hold up to pressure over time
When I install unit at attic I like to run copper line from top to air handler
Because oil will stay in coil will help extend the compressor life
Thank You for sharing your RLS tool. Good Job! Good Video. I do have 2 more processes, which I observed MUST be executed for this job! # 1) Please use a small Nitrogen cylinder with blowing Kit/Gun to clean pipe-works/fittings . DO NOT and NEVER-EVER blow air through your mouth to pipes? To avoid contaminating / adding moisture to your line set / system. #2). Please rub compatible refrigerant oil @ the O-Ring prior to insertion to avoid possible damage.
HVAC apprentice here. I've always been told not to blow in the copper pipes to remove any lose burrs. Because of the liquid it would create
@Enormity thank you for your response
Hvac apprentice what 3 outdoor numbers do you need to find the indoor temp split at your outside condensing unit without taking an indoor temp?
@@1111-t5n trick question. There is none 😏
@@User-be5yj Nope not a trick question? you can find the inside temp at your condenser keep thinking, look at the condenser and think of what it does. So trick to question is within the question, . God bless have fun ✌
That’s correct, never blow in the pipe. My apprentice always used to say that because they taught that in RAC school
Love your videos. stay brite soft solder is the one for me 75% of the time. Brazing the rest of the time.
I've heard of this but never seen it in action great video
Thank you!
@@QualityHVACR always quality stuff
Specifically talking about the tool itself it actually seems cool and convenient. Everyone in the comments complaining about leaks in 5-10 years as if the customer is going to expect a free callback to fix it that long after lol. Atleast the tool will keep us in business! 😂
Thanks for the warning. -a homeowner
How about a follow up video in 6-12months to see how they hold?
it holds. this is like viega press water/gas fittings, but at cheaper costs.
Holds very good. I have pressure tested at 600 psi with them and no issues. Quick and convenient. Cuts the material and time down dramatically.
I’d say a couple years. Wonder how the gaskets would do in a system that’s acidic.
@@buckeyenation89 nice! I think it might be time for me to just bite the bullet and try them myself!
@@hvacslayer2929 410 oil is acid
I checked the price on these things and I’ve decided to stick with my oxy-acet. Honestly I would not be able to sleep that night if I used those fittings. I’d be like damn did I crimp it good? Did I mess up the oring? Nope can’t do it lol. If it was cheaper I’ll be all over it I ain’t going to lie for hard to braze places.
I agree with you 1000%
You use a crimping system and you’ll never braze again. Such an out dated concept.
@@danny_hampton maybe so. I wish you could try shit out before paying for it though 😂
@@DiegoPerez-ro9si you can rent em,ask your supply house about it
@@danny_hampton still have to braze to the condenser and at air handler
Love it! but looks like you still have to braze a peace off the coil and Condenser...? If I gotta pull torches out for that might as well hit it all.
Yup!
That is actually my issue. But if they ever make fittings to correct this, I will buy one immediately. $3500 may sound like a lot, but if you're good, it will save you enough time to squeeze in enough jobs that it will pay for itself in a few weeks.
@Sven3xs no, I mean weeks. If I install an extra 2 systems a week with the time saved with press tools, the money made from. The installs will pay for the tool in a few weeks. Not year. Weeks
Works good for Nat gas lines too.
But I forgot to mark the depth..and it costs me..
So a guy can use it for plumbing water lines gas lines and refrigeration..lines.
Very cool..
Costly Though.
@@Diaszurana I dont know what kind of brazing youre doing that you can save enough time in 2 weeks to save 100$ worth of labor, much less 3500$. Not to mention the money lost every fitting you put in. I can sweat an entire lineset in 20 mins. Thats bending corners, sanding fittings/pipe, wrapping valves and lugging a torch around. You might do it twice as fast, but spend 20-100$ on fittings. Even if fittings were free. 10 mins saved per install? If you do one install per day for 2 weeks youre only saving 2 hours. If youre charging 1750$ per hour, yeah it will pay for itself in a few weeks. I need your customer base, because ill glady work for 1500$ hour.
Been out of the trade for twenty years but I would have taken a piece of 3/4 inch ENT (blue smurf) and put it on the 5/8 copper line at the entrance to the attic , bent a nice smooth elbow at that point and saved having to make a joint in that area. The rubber insulation will fit over the bend if you use some baby powder. 1 inch works on 3/4 pipe . Something I happened on as an A/C and electrical Contractor. The tool seemed to work but I would still prefer the old brazing method. But very interesting post.
Awesome video bro! You could be an Hvac instructor. You are very clear, and straight to the point on all your work and demonstrations. You are 1 of my favorite guys online!!
Bruh no no, he said he's going from 5/8 copper to 3/8" and then marks pipe twice instead of doing it just once buddy's messing up all over the place plus it must be nice that daddy had his own hbac company not like he didn't help you at all...smh
Thanks for this demo, I really look forward to using this setup this season!
Great job as always Zack!
Can't rely on Oring. Concept is good but overtime I don't know how it holds up
@@1971omi the o rings are recessed inside the fittings and seated in that recession so it kinda helps protect them and keeps them locked in position so when you put pipe in and out of the fitting it doesn’t really wear down that oring I totally understand why the old timers prefer solder but I mean especially in MA they are making it harder and harder to solder like in Boston if I wanna solder a joint I have to fuckin pull a permit and get a firefighter to come out and watch me do it even if it’s just one 5 minute joint I have to do that so why would I waste all that time? Time is Money friends.
I have a 25 yr old Ford F-350 with original AC , O-rings and components.
@@DClough MA is just stupid. permit for soldering?! lmao
@@moonlightacmaintenance3232
I do refrigeration my friend. That set up is for newbie dyi jobs not any seasoned tech. Car hold up max 1lb 134A or R12.
Some jobs I do is Propane refrigeration. I do know my stuff. O ring on 134A maybe but not a job due to laziness that going to cost arm and leg later on. Air to the system due to leak. BRAZING, Evacuation, virgin refrigerant then TEST ALL FOR THIS BECAUSE DIDN'T WANT TO BRAZING. WOW.
Great tool for some jobs. Really nice for work at hospitals, instead of having someone braze, another ignite the torch and someone else to spot you can just do your thing all by yourself. Saves a lot on labor.. 1 guy vs 3 guys per job
It seems helpful on “tight to braze spots”(particularly fire risk areas like the old insulation stuff in the wall on old houses) but I’d like to see if they hold up pressure in 5-10 years after so many cycles,specially on heat-pump systems which it’s twice as many and brutal on expanding and contracting the fittings!
I’m not saying you’re wrong…but I might be right!
Idk man. If it’s in a tough spot. I prefer to braze it. I would hate to have to come back to the right spot to fix a leak. That’s my take on it. I feel like anything with an o ring will leak eventually. Maybe not in 5 years. But 15 20 later.
@@Username-ng8jy But you could say the same thing about a braze, there's no such thing as 100% leak free.
@@dexenationgracey1979 yes there is
@@suspect_fb No there isn't, copper will eventually weaken and start to leak. You can have all of your joints as sealed as possible but that metal will leak whether it's 10 years or 70 years. Something will cause a leak.
Everything has a decay rate. Nothing is leak free ever not copper as a whole not flux and solder not o rings.
I just ordered one of these kits with your discount code. I hope you get some sweet comish from it!! Thanks bro 👊🏼 super excited to use this and save time on installs! Cheers
If that tubing is not perfectly round like the press lock fittings, there won't be uniform compression on the tubing and "o" rings. It's bound to leak eventually.
When using a pipe cutter, in small increments, crank it down at different locations. I learned something today. TY.
I’ll continue brazing, this kit could come free with the unit! I’d scrap it and braze the lines in!
Cuz you’re a fucken idiot who doesn’t know how to use knew tools
Then you can stay in the past and let everyone fly past you.
Zack your the man, looks like you take pride in your work. Today that is hard to come by.
We love ours the tool paid for itself on a big refrigeration job we had!! Couldn’t have done it without it!!!!
Where can I get this tool from
Hopefully this iteration of these fittings is different. Have been on multiple vrf installs in condos where the ENTIRE job had to be redone because they failed after a few months. The fittings I'm talking about are no longer in service. But I'm skeptical AF of these especially with refrigerants becoming higher and higher pressure.
Convenience is there - I just personally haven't been sold on these as a long term solution across our industry.
@@joeb9600 my thoughts exactly...however this appears like it would pay for itself pretty, quickly. Plus the simplicity of it, its speed, and saving money on nitrogen and acetylene, this looks like its worth a shot.
Prep is absolutely key for longevity of fitting
@@Aquariun9iteMMare the risk of losing my reputation with my customer and the cost of the warranty repair is what stops me. At the end of the day, I trust a good braze - I don't put a lot of faith in these braze free solutions even though they may save time and lower costs IF it works perfectly and holds over time. There have been so many iterations of this exact thing and they all seem to go the same way.
Your torches and acetylene pay for themselves too, I hope. You charge for them!
IDK, maybe I'll try these on a residential side job and if it doesnt hold I'll go back and braze fittings in. I try not to be too close minded.
Great Tool Nicely Done😉👍🏽 If You Need To Hold The Line Up So It Won’t Slide Down You Can Use A Tape Measure Extende Under The Line And Lock It
Ill stick with the Hilmore and braze rod. Even adding nitrogen to the mix its gonna be way cheaper and i can trust I’m not gonna have any leaks.
Fixed an electrical problem on a WI freezer earlier today that we installed still running 502 in 1985! Original compressor and TXV!
Wait, what?
The price makes it obvious why brazing is here to stay.
Agreed.
@Sven3xs the cost of the fittings alone. Even without the tool cost.
I was just on a job with something like 100 condos , each with multiple units. The guy had a press tool and no question it paid for itself 10 times over in saved labor
@@dominicm2175 pft, can literaly braze a joint in less than a minute, what labor lol
@@ianicus123seems to me that with brazing there is more time spent to set up with acetylene and nitrogen and fire safety considerations. On that job site I mentioned with over a hundred condos and multiple units per condo the mechanical company foreman says it was a “ no brainer” using the press fittings
I went to school recently and we used these fittings for our refrigeration project. They are neat but I think the cost per fitting is a lot more.
It is, but you can always pass that to the client. It's not like you're screwing them over, either. That 30-60 minutes you save is 30-60 minutes less time waiting for cooling.
Call me old school, but I’ll be the last to adapt Press fittings. I’m waiting on a video of someone fixing a leak on one of these by cutting it out and brazing.
Happened to me a few times. Still quicker and more cost effective. Keep being old school so the newer guys can take your work lol
@@TheJordanwright So true. They said the same thing about sharkbites. Now everyone uses them. These things have been used in Europe for awhile now.
@@TheJordanwright customer does not care whether you are brazing or press fitting. so why do you think you can get more work by press fitting? lol stop talking like a clown
@@lordjaashin less time spent braising? Are you dumb
@@TheJordanwright are you? because this press fitting doesn't work for coils and discharge line connections especially on r410a systems. you definitely have to bring out your brazing stuff to complete the job. so whats the point of this press fitting especially when it costs $2000+?
I recall these at Ferguson a couple years back, after the demo I was iffiy at best, then the price drop on me........yea Ill keep doing it with the flame thank you.
You still have to braze in the copper at the service valves. Might as well just braze.
Love your hat and I love learning from you. I’m an apprentice doing hvac installs
Keep it up bro I look up to you 💪 💯 👌
Love the tool. Brazing is such a mess by comparison . One question about the fittings.
I noticed on the outdoor vertical line, when you crimped the top side, the fitting flared open kind of like an upside down umbrella. Do you think that opening (if left exposed) might be a trap for water to accumulate ?? I know that a suction line would typically be insulated but that leaves the liquid line.
Comments, thoughts welcome😊👍
How do you get a fitting off if it doesn't press correctly or leaks?
If you have to braze to the unit service valve anyway why not just turn the lineset into unit and do away with 4 joints?
Was this video paid for by the tool manufacturer?
I'm sorry if I'm asking too many questions or if they are annoying. I'm just asking as they come to mind....
What are the maximum pressure of these fittings? Will coil cleaning chemicals attack the seals? Are these seals compatible with all refrigerants and oils?
@@jeremyhall7951 obviously a sponsored sales pitch.
i haven't done much commercial but at least for me in new construction in residential areas brazing/swaging/bending the copper saves me a lot of time on trimming houses guess i'd have to use the tool to see 👍🏽
Great video Zach. I’m gonna buy one of these tools for my company. We already have the pro press for water. I used one when they first came out not sure why I haven’t got one yet lol. Keep making these awesome videos brother 💪🏻💪🏻
Thx man! I've got a trutrechtools link in the description for ya. :) RLS is offering a $500 rebate currently.
#1 hvac/r channel
When I took my refrigeration course my instructor showed us that using plumbing solder was plenty strong enough for refrigeration copper connections. I have never had a failure and you dont get all the oxidation inside the pipe from extreme heat.
StayBrite 8 is a soft solder used for HVACR applications. In the past, other types of soft solder have been used on refrigerant lines.
yeah i could definitely see this tool making solo installs more appealing, pretty much could do any lineset by yourself by just popping into the attic or crawl a bit and linking up long runs $$
Damn, some techs in the comments despise pro press type fittings.
I don’t despise them. Never used them. Interested though.
@@actechchrisI've been trying bro have my boss OK a full pro press boiler install.
That thing is pretty slick. Looks like it makes your life easier
$3500! for tool and 19.12 for a 90' elbow....yep I'll keep brazing 😂
hahaha thats what i was thinking 3500$... and 20$ buck for a fitting lol. Labor cost that is pretty high here doesn't make it worth it still. To costly.
Soldering or brazing over that fancy unreliable Oring. I will take brazing or Soldering any day, regardless of the job.
Does anyone else think it pointless, if you still have to braze stub outs on the service valves? Also the coil, so, if I have to pull out the torches. Then that defeat the purpose 🤷♂️🤷♂️🤷♂️
Have you heard of revolutionized? Just like the iphone and internet brazing actually will be a thing of the past sorry to say it 🤷🏻♂️
@@juniordude8341 not yet tho
Our company uses the Milwaukee version. It’s nice for large commercial installs. We braze in residential.
I'm a old school tech, I'll braze till I die...
Nobody asked dumbshit. You act like there’s pride in that
@@theredrepublic7973 What’s with the hostility. Atleast he knows how to braze. You’re probably pissed because you go trough multiple rolls just to get one line brazed.
@@wreckitbmx2698 Oh I see, you’re enraged. Grow up kid.
@@EastDallasKicks the hostility is that it's people like him that slow down progress, and frankly their arrogance is frustrating.
@@Diaszurana People like him dont create or innovate non brazing processes nor choose to use them. Yet others create nonetheless. He isnt slowing down anything.
Our company used zoomlock fittings for a few years...they tend to leak a lot. All we use now is the maxi pro refrigeration fittings. Rothenberger makes the press tool for the fittings. Haven’t had a single leak yet
Give it a time.
Rumour has it viega stayed away from Press ACR fittings because of outdoor climate with a rubber pressed conection asking for a failure in future. braze with nitrogen old school
Do you still paint a whole house with a paint brush?
Viega Pro Press is a 3 crimp system and they very much exist! The rep offered to supply all the fittings at no cost for my VRF lab, but we went with RLS because we had an account with them.
Excellent job sir you done it very professionally
The big question, just how long does the “O” ring last before it begins to deteriorate❓
pro press somewhat near compressor? i give those a few mo nths before a leak appears. .-. i love pro press for plumbing dont get me wrong, but i dont think it belongs in HVAC installs.
Why?
@@jeremybelcher6681 probably higher pressures and temperature differences. Only can wait and see
@@jeremybelcher6681 because pro press does not make as good as a seal as regular solder. Especially being close to the compressor there is a-lot of vibration and it will just wiggle it loose after x amount of time. i've personally had to go back behind a few installs with these on them and put in regular solder joints.
This is a good product for short term use only. With time O ring will cause leaks 100% of the time, it will needed to be replaced just like the valves at all the units. 410A refrigerant operates in higher pressure. Brazed joints if done correctly will last much longer than O-ring joints. LOL
By the time he gets done with piping, I would already have been on a vacuum. Plus, how did he connect a coupling to the condensing unit. And the o rings are only good for 25 years.$$$$$"
From my experience no system will go 25 years ,the fittings will last as long as the system
"ex Sub-Zero appliance technician"
If it's just effective as brazing, I'm a fan. As much as I love playing with gas and fire the risk of not vacuuming out the system fully is always there. 😅 Got to love that green flame the first time I ever messed with refrigerant we were still using Freon bags that would get holes occasionally
I'm old and new school in doing what I do for going on 30 years in this trade. Thank you much but I'll stick with brazing with oxy/ acetylene running nitro when possible and haven't had a leak on any of my joints since I can remember with my practice/ skills of brazing over 2" suction lines with proper tips minus alone silver brazing skills say stainless to copper of metric sized fittings that I doubt no such press shit can do
Unbelievable how such top union companies that use such don't know shit about properly piping using oil return traps etc.
As a home owner, I did brazing many years ago for few copper lines and I had to use a piece of metal to block the drywall to avoid burning.
Nobody ever talks about the very high price for the device and crimp on fittings!
Great job man....Best of luck for your future..
It isn't the copper that's getting reamed, it's Zack's wallet.
The attic coupling really drove home the benefit of it 👍
I mean, you still got to braze the extension in on a new install.
Not always, some manufactures have long enough stub outs on valves that can be cut off. It's not about one way or the other, do what works best for each situation.
True! I have noticed that Payne units aren’t swedged on the liquid side, so winning there!
Good work, very professional and I enjoy watching your videos
Why the elbows when you have a bender? Eliminate 2 potential leaks for each instance by bending instead. Guess you needed to show all aspects of the tool in order to get it for free. I’m not buying one.
Trane and other manufacturers get bending incorrect these days..
Recycled copper is not what it used to be not just long ago.
6 RTUs we put up not long ago all had cracked discharge piping cracks in factory 90 bends out of scroll compressors resulting in losing all charge in all them in one season of operation! Vibration problem?
Was told to cut out and repipe them with proper 90° fittings by Trane
Deburring is a must inside and out not just for the reasons you stated , but you don't need tiny pieces of copper free to clog something . And this goes for all pipe work .
And NEVER blow in the pipe after reaming and cleaning
Over priced toy offering a solution to a non existent problem. There are no long term studies to see how those fittings last when subjected to constant vibration and hydraulic pressure fluctuations. Brazing is just as fast. Brazing costs less; for the price difference of just 2 long radius elbows, I can buy a full refill of Acetylene. Add a coupler or two and I'm far better off financially brazing. Quality brazing rod (15% silver) lasts a lifetime and then some. I've been a licensed HVAC contractor for over 20 years, seen a lot of fads come and go.
Al is true, but next year we have propane mini-splits in Europe. I dont like brazing with trapped gas inside and is also forbidden to do it in Europe. Also hvac in Europe it is not alone mini splits, but also floorheating with air/water heatpump. On the water side we press every connection with tesame tool. Thus a non existing problem for the future?
@@merckxherve9116 Obviously you will need to pull the system into a vacuum during recovery of flammable gasses then purge the system properly with nitrogen. Our EPA wants to force us to use flammable refrigerants in a couple years. I foresee (in a couple years) a few dead service guys that don't follow procedure
The press tool sounds great, it saves time and dont have to flow nitrogren. But there are videos that show fittings leaked or even came apart. Might not have been installed correctly. I'll keep brazing. Nice demo though
Love you’re channel !watch it on my lunch breaks an learn new stuff every time keep it up definitely need to get me a set of theses!!!!
You talk about the stuff I am thinking about. Keep up the great work and make that money...!!!!
Many people talk about the price - though price is always a concern - please tell me what QUALITY tool in this industry is cheap ?. As for this tool - makes connecting lines much safer - not having to have a flame.
GREAT VIDEO !! Plumber ,trying to learn more AC , thanks for explaining some of the things your doing and the numbers your looking for along the way , it helped me get a general idea of the process and and readings of a ac system basics , (with not so much info I get lost ). understanding different equipment sizing and developed length of your piping with change numbers and reading your probably looking for ... Thanks
Did you have to braze copper to the service valves and indoor unit in order to use the RLS tool? Does RLS offer a solution like they did with the dryer? Awesome video 👍
That tool is a game changer.
Pretty cool I’ve been installing for over 20 years and never use them going to have to give them a shot
25 years in trade. Last 15 in Controls. Crazy how things change. All Brazing when I did this.
Pretty cool. Thanks for the demo. Manufacturers now need to produce units with stub-outs ready for press fittings. Until then…., my torch and nitrogen is already set up
I had a discussion in March with 2 Ruud engineers at a DSC meeting and they are planning on stopping the swaging of both the outdoor units and the coils in the near future. Also, Rectorseal has a fitting that goes OVER the swaged end on one side and the pipe goes in the other end like a Shark Bite fitting. No press necessary.
All I can say is wow!! For exposed work you can beat that invention. Nice!!
Really worth your time spent it, I really liked it, I totally recommend your videos,
I really learned. Thanks man,
Love it man. Love your videos. Inspiring. Similar to sharkbite fittings for plumbers minus the press.
Many plumbers are also using pro press fittings similar to these. Not surprisingly the reviews are as mixed among plumbers as they seem to be among the HVAC techs here!
Forgive me for this question, but do you still have to make a soldered or brazed joint at the connection to the unit? If so, there’s more tools to carry now!
Nope, since he's using the pro press to close out air from the atmosphere to prevent leaks, There's no point in brazing it.
We propress our water lines, boiler-domestic in our buildings. Quick in and out, I got lucky had a air lock when taking out a ball valve. Prep is key with these press fittings. Now refrigerant I’m still not a believer in these, we all know any gasket type on ref side will leak eventually. Unless of course leak lock is applied than forget about it.
Thank you very much for such kind of great video , I have a question please Is there an adapter or connector to prevent the leakage of the air conditioner gas when removing the air conditioner gas pipes?
Copper good, press fit good. The problem with those fitting is the elastomer used for the seal is going to swell and/or shrink overtime causing a leak for sure. Also the system multiplies the failure points which is exactly what you don´t want to do.
Trane stocks the wheel you need for your grinder that takes off the laser etched letters found on some pipes... if not cut off those letters so you don’t have a leak.
I could see this being practical. You could braze as need at the shop prior to taking the unit to the site. Deliver to site, use the press fittings, pressure test, done.. profit.
I learned something today!....thanks friend!
You’ll be back a couple years from now fixing leaks for sure
very cool , what was your first fitting at the outdoor unit? braise fitting? yep, it was, not faulting you at all, just trying to learn because im gonna have to use that soon enough, there is a red crank fitting, dont want to mention names, that accepts a swage end to a regular pipe, for example 7/8" swage outdoor unit to 7/8" pipe. to be honest, that fitting is on my truck dash, the drawback is its a one use, so if i mess it up on install, now i gotta buy a new suction shut off
Happy, fico feliz de ver profissionais com equipamento certo para o serviço e eu aqui capengando ferramenta.
I will be doing a lot of apartment changeouts with the air handler having the refrigerant lines dangerously close to insulation, studding, and drywall. This will be perfect... I noticed the kit does not come with a 3/4's jaw... Do the jaws go by inside diameter (5/8's jaw for 3/4 OD) or outside diameter (3/4 jaw for 3/4)?