Beginners tips for plastic plumbing

[Doctor Drivel]

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[Nick]

There is and there was - its quicker to fit and therefore they have trouble justifying the quotes they put out - the more honest ones accept that and get more jobs done a month by using it...

Nick

[John Rumm]

For the benefit of new readers, Mr. Drivel here does have a bit of history with pushfit fittings and hence whinges about them most of the time.

The rest of us (who avoid cutting the pipes with a hacksaw) seem to have no problem with them.

[John Rumm]

Do they? You had better show us, because there is no mention of it here:

[Steve]

Is there any difference between different pipe cutters? There seems to be quite a range of prices for them

Steve

[Guy King]

The message from "Doctor Drivel" contains these words:

Don't suppose you've got one you could scan - or a pdf to point us to?

[The Medway Handyman]

I bought the el cheapo Silverline jobby - only one my local shop had, about a £5. Seemed fine on the 15mm pipe, but it goes up to 41mm aledgedly. I tried it on some solvent weld 40 odd mm pipe and it failed miserably - the ratchet wouldn't engage.

Maybe a better one would cut bigger pipe as well?

[Ron Lowe]

Actually, I wasn't asking for comments on whether plastic pipe and / or push-fit fittings are a good idea.

( I'm satisfied enough that they are. )

I was wanting to know what king of insert to use with a compression fitting, because I didn't know if the insert was related to the pipe, or the fitting.

[calums]

Well at least Doctor Drivel has derived an appropriate name for himself. How can someone claim so much knowledge to be factual when everyone around him is saying things to the contrary?

As to insinuating that you are the only professional giving advise..... I dont even think the rest of us need to comment.

Your argument seems to ring similarities with professional photographers a few years ago condeming digital over traditional film. Now most professionals mainly use digital, keeping film for specialist jobs. Now I would say the same for Hep2O and other good plastic plumbing. Apart from those who still hold views of snobery, it is the best solution for most places in most houses. That said, I like nothing better than stepping back having spent hours with a pipe bender and torch creating a professional looking plumbing job around an unvented tank... but lets be honest, the customer is normally just interested with a long lasting job and a low bottom line on the invoice.

So put your hacksaw away and buy a pipecutter... after all would you but copper with a hacksaw in a professional environment???

Calum Sabey (NewArk Traditional Kitchens 01556 690544)

[Doctor Drivel]

Well as you know sweet FA about them, take notice of a pro. Better still for amateur prats like you an attiude,you should ignore what I said and fit pushfit and have leaks. Be my guest.

[Andy Hall]

On Sun, 18 Jun 2006 18:14:03 +0100, The Medway Handyman wrote (in article ):

Essentially, yes, Dave.

The basic ones will do an acceptable job of 15 and 22mm tube.

Those without a replaceable blade have to be regarded as disposable.

I bought a Rothenberger one with ratchet when I wanted to install some nylon tube for compressed air. This is quite a bit tougher and harder than the tube used for water and the basic cutter wouldn't do it.

I've used it to cut waste tube as well - 32 and 40mm - and the blade is replaceable and sharpenable.

I would have thought that it is worth the investment for a regular user.

[Doctor Drivel]

...and it is because they have more problems with the pushfit fittings. When there is failures they tend to be catastrophic, like open ends spewing out water. It is not quicker to fit for a pro, as they can fit copper very fast.

Best not comment on matters you know nothing of.

[Doctor Drivel]

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[ARWadsworth]

When using plastic pipe always use the insert made by the manufacturer of the pipe (ie if using Hep pipe then use Hep inserts) These inserts are required on all joints of plastic pipe regardless of whether they are compression or pushfit. The insert gives the pipe the strength to make a good fitting that will last years.

Adam

[Doctor Drivel]

Get one that has a gun type of mechanism.

[Doctor Drivel]

[Doctor Drivel]

I am the pro they are know-it-all amateurs. Take your pick. If you want leaks and a crap job go their way. Some of the things they suggest and people take as correct and go off and do is amazing.

[Steve Firth]

Yes, but don't buy them from Homebase because they sell the cheapest nastiest models at the same price that other outlets sell the better ones with replaceable blades and ratchet operation.

[Steve Firth]

What utter shit, makes your claims of being "professional" out to be the self-aggransdising bullshit that they are. Get back to reading catalogues.

[Doctor Drivel]

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