In article <
955ff159-ffa8-4a88...@e9g2000vbg.googlegroups.com>,
mike <
mike...@yahoo.com> writes:
> Has anyone used QPL (aka Qual-Plumb aka Qual-Fit aka PipeLife) pushfit
> plumbing fittings, as sold by Toolstation?
>
> 15mm elbow, for example:
http://www.toolstation.com/shop/p46696
>
> I thought they would be OK for temporary use during bathroom
> renovation as fittings get moved around and pipework moved, and that I
> would leave them in place if they were OK.
>
> Having got a pack home, I see they need a demounting tool (which
> Toolstation don't sell). Their various websites are pretty
> uninformative - a product list and comprehensive installation
> instructions would seem like good candidates to put on-line but I
> haven't managed to locate them. And I get the impression that when
> you reuse them, you're supposed to change the grab rings and O-rings
> (packs of 50 from Toolstation, which is fine if you're using them all
> the time but a waste if you want half a dozen).
I don't tend to use pushfit for long term fittings, just short term,
but when I do use them, I use the JG Speedfit range, which seem very
good.
http://www.bes.co.uk/products/154.asp
No tools required for disassembly. They have a screw-down locking
ring to prevent the grab ring being released (except for the stop-end
fittings). Of course, there are situations where the requirement of
an obscure tool for disassembly is a plus point. The stop-end fittings
are very useful whilst plumbing, and I keep several of each size.
The O-rings wear out with repeated assembly/disassembly, but you
can easily get them out of the fittings and replace them. My pressure
tester has a JG speedfit fitting, and with repeated use, the O-ring
needs replacing about once a year - I just take one from another
JG fitting.
> (As an aside, they also say that plastic pipe should only be cut with
> "purpose designed pipe cutters. Do not use a hacksaw" which is
> completely contrary to the advice from uk.d-i-y's resident hacksaw-and-
> weep expert! Whither he?)
>
> So having sworn off the notoriously crap FloPlast after having to rip
> out the newly installed kitchen floor because the buggers apparently
> don't react well with copper, I'm wondering if I should just take
> these back and get JG Speedfit?
Speedfit also won't like any burr on the pipe ends. Loose burr might
end up in the seal, and attached burr may nick the O-ring on insertion.
In the case of metal pipe, I sand the end smooth if it's been sawn.
With plastic, you would need to be more careful about not damaging the
part of the surface where the O-ring seals.
--
Andrew Gabriel
[email address is not usable -- followup in the newsgroup]