Copper water pipe soldering

[Slowpoke]

Home Depot used to carry the Antex electric pipe heater tool, but has dropped it from inventory. Would a plumber use it instead of a torch? Does it have any problems? Maybe slower than a torch, but safer under the house?
 

[Charles (in GA)]

I'm going to be watching this for comments. I saw one somewhere recently, cannot recall where, could have been a HD clearance rack (I've been in several HD stores many miles apart in the past month.) or it could have been Habitat ReStore, or the flea, cannot recall where. Almost bought it, will now be kicking my self if everyone says it works OK.

Charles
 

[Slowpoke]

I seem to remember HD selling them for about $150 with the 1/2" jaws. The optional 3/4" jaws were $25. The jaws are on clearance for under $7, so I bought the 3/4" just in case. I need to replace my water heater so I might as well get rid of the galvanized and go with copper. But then there's the question of corrosion with copper. A friend replaced part of his ganvanized with PEX. Said it was easy. But is it code yet? And what about Sharkbit fittings for the copper? Are those code? Questions & more questions.
 

[Rod (NH)]

Looks like it clamps on the pipe and NOT on the fitting. If that is true, I wouldn't waste your money.

 

[colophil]

Try the Garret Wade catalog.
 

[colophil]

Try the Garret Wade catalog.
 

[Bob Huntress]

I use the turbo torch with the MC tank that I use for refrigeration work, just don't use silver solder for water lines. I would have my reservations that the clamp that you show below would get hot enough to bond the solder and copper.
 

[Slowpoke]

It's supposed to reach 900°.
 

[Bob Huntress]

I still have my skeptical doubts. Perhaps it comes from a system that I am satisfied with, maybe it's my poor eye sight, but I ain't seeing it.
 

[Husker44A]

PEX is the only way to go. I replaced a water softener the other day and used the PEX push on fittings. Kinda pricey but guarenteed not to leak. Measure twice. Cut once. Very simple to use. Sharkbite fittings are in code.
 

[WGM]

PEX is a joke
 

[C.R.]

Why do you think PEX is a joke?
 

[Wile E]

I also have a hard time plumbing a house with PEX.
I used all copper line, soldered, the real way to do it.
I cannot (would not) put plastic line in a wall where it could be punctured by a finishing nail. (a fricken mess) I would use hard PVC before I used flexy plastic poly ethlene or poly urethate tube.
I am not claiming to be an expert, just trying to think with common sense.
Also the push to connect fittings are nice........Only if they are in view, never behind a wall. I did use compression brass fittings for all my sinks and toilets when I built a home many years ago.
 

[Stephen Newell]

I think anyone that has lived with quest plumbing is going to be apprehensive about another garden hose plumbing. I for one don't live where the water is acidic so I'm going to stay with copper.
 

[Butch(OH)]

I am no expert either but we used Zurn pex and crimp ring fittings to plumb up our OWB 6 years ago and have had zero problems so when the plumber reccmended pex to replumb a rental this past spring we said go ahead, time will tell. People say CPVC is junk too but when I was close to broke and had to replumb my home I had to use it,, that was 30 years ago and it is still in service, never a leak, never a problem.