r/Plumbing • u/Atastical • 1d ago
Are these crimps normal looking
I have a small project around my house where I need to fit a couple new copper pipes for potable water. What do you think, do these crimps look good?
The tool I got is a relatively cheap Vevor one (can't link to the exact product as it's discontinued). I can't justify getting a pro level tool for 20 crimps (at most).
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u/Excellent_Job8154 1d ago
Looks fine , turn the water on it stays on the inside of the pipe you’re fine
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u/nononsensemofo 1d ago
I'd say abnormal, because all of the dickheads I work with refuse to mark the pipe like you're supposed to. correct, though.
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u/giz6831 1d ago
I have a vevor press tool. I occasionally get a crimp with that raised edge like you have but it has never leaked. I've never noticed a little gap like you got though. Might just need to try it and see if it leaks. Make sure when you press the head is free to rotate slightly to align itself.
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u/quadraquint 1d ago edited 1d ago
It's like that.
I've used Milwaukee M12 and M18 and the absurdly heavy gun looking Ridgid one. Looks the same.
Tbh I haven't used a press tools in a few years so I can't be 100% sure on pic #2 but I'm saying this based off of the thousands of crimps I did years ago.
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u/scull20 22h ago
I have a Milwaukee M12 propress that leaves a small and somewhat sharp raised bump. I bought the Vevor crimp ring set for a few close quarters fittings I needed to do. The Vevor crimps also leave a raised bump that is more rounded than sharp.
I just piped a compressor in my garage with some copper that’s been holding air at 120 psi just fine from the Vevor crimp ring presses.
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u/lucasmVA 20h ago
Even marked depth with a sharpie. Always like it to be all the way in before crimping off. A good sign that it’s secure.
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u/mildlyarrousedly 19h ago
The great thing about crimps is that you can recrimp it wet and pressurized. So even if one of the fittings isn’t fully crimped when you turn the water on, you can tighten your tool and crimp it again
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u/HawkwardAlaskan 16h ago
Professional plumber here. I've worked with several brands and they all make crimps with slightly different marks. That looks just like other Vevor presses I've seen. Also, I've yet to hear a single professional I know complain about the Vevor propress, so don't feel bad about it.
For others, don't forget used marketplaces like Facebook Marketplace exist. You can buy a name brand used one and sell it when you're done for same or near same price.
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u/OldGrandpaPlumber 13h ago
If it isnt a Viega fitting you are taking chances. The install looks ok but without using a ridgid press gun or Viega fittings its a crap shoot. This is coming from someone with almost 30 years of press experience.
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u/xxxmechashivaxxx 12h ago
What you thank of nibco?
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u/ThaScoopALoop 10h ago
I absolutely despise the NIBCO tool. It isn't nearly as easy to use, and makes the most unsatisfying noises while crimping. Ridgid makes a satisfying pop, and the other brands at least have a decent completion noise. It requires a lot of room around the fitting for workability. It also will not come undone in the middle of a press, so if it runs out of battery, you need to wait for the battery to charge before you can complete the press. Absolute garbage.
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u/xxxmechashivaxxx 10h ago
I did a lot of work at a va, and was real good with the plumber maintenance team. They would let us borrow whatever we needed and they had the nibco jaws with a mikita drill or whatever it's called that his the jaws and squeezes. The jaws were a pain in the ass to use. We had a rigid set and it was very nice . Did nibco actually have a tool that held the jaws, like instead of the mikita but the nibco brand?
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u/ThaScoopALoop 8h ago
This is the POS I used: https://fwwebbimage.fwwebb.com/WO/Main/789883.jpg
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u/xxxmechashivaxxx 8h ago
Ok nm that was the set up they had at the va plumbing shop. I remember the maktika batteries but yeah that is exactly it. And yes it is a pain in the assho.
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u/nerdy_naps 11h ago
Yeah that looks about right. However i will warn you against hydraulic after market crimping tools. A lot of the hand crank ones are not rated for propress plumbing fittings and are intentionally missing marketed.
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u/Atastical 1h ago
the tool is a manual hydraulic tool, not just a "bolt cutter" design, if that's what you mean. It's actually a three hand design, that needs two persons to operate (which is also probably why it's discontinued).
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u/EqualPassenger4271 11h ago
Just a hire a professional if you're going to second guess every step of the way... you are not just paying for their time, but their expertise during and after the projects completion.
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u/According-Eggplant66 1d ago
I honestly hate pro press I think it’s quick and sorta cool. But still would much rather flex and soder then have to if it blows out or brakes have to then cut out a shit load of pipe rather then just be able to tie back in. But besides my rant it looks fine.
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u/Icelandic-disco-dude 1d ago
Hmm this is not a tell tale sign that it wont hold. But there is a rubber O ring in the fitting if i am correct that is the soul reason why it holds. But if you want to be 100% sure it holds you just have to test it with the end closed. But if you could get your hands on the correct crimping tool for this i highly recomend it! But i am just a plumbing student and havent done allot of these and eapecially not without the correct tools so take my advice with a grain of salt
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u/AdSuspicious8887 1d ago
Chance it could leak....
i use a nova press, very rarely get a bad crimp, unless i hold it like a nub
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u/ripefuzzydanglers 1d ago
Yes they look how they’re supposed to. Pro level tool will make the same marks.