Everyone things Im stupid because I paid 2,000 for a tool

[goeduck]

50 joints, you are an expert.

I have done more but still worry that I do not get them correct. Like you, no leaks.

 

[aczlan]

I never considered soldering copper that big a deal. But I have very little experience. Maybe done 50 joints.
None ever failed. Hate plumbing but too cheap to hire a plumber for simple stuff like that.

Clean both surfaces, flux, apply heat, place solder on opposite side of heat, watch solder suck in, wipe, done.

None of us can answer your question as one error in judgement does not make someone stupid. Beware of those who say it is your money and spend it as you wish. Very true....but it a nice way of saying...not a good investment. Enablers tend to support eachother. On the side, your friends may just be envious. YOU KNOW THE ANSWER

Now try it with a 3/4 inch shut off valve in the basement with a shut off valve before it that lets loose a drip every 10 seconds. The reason why me crimp joints for copper are so popular is that when you're paying a plumber they can do the joint in 30 seconds to a minute and have it lock and seal no matter how wet or dry the joint is and there is no risk of fire like there is a torch.
As the pipe gets larger, so do the advantages of the crimp tool.

Aaron Z

 

[Jstpssng]

I've never had a problem with new copper. It's when it's old and in a tight place that it became a challenge.

 

[2LaneCruzer]

As I've said many times before, "Sometimes you need to buy something just because you want it'. I used to work for a guy that was the tightest man I ever knew. He tried to justify every dime he spent, and he was almost impossible to deal with. I think I found his Achilles heel, though, it was guns. He justified it this way. You buy a washing machine, and it depreciates rapidly; so in a year or so it's lost half its value. Guns, on the other hand, almost always appreciate in price. I'm sure his wife was impressed with his logic; I certainly wasn't.

 

[shooterdon]

Now try it with a 3/4 inch shut off valve in the basement with a shut off valve before it that lets loose a drip every 10 seconds. The reason why me crimp joints for copper are so popular is that when you're paying a plumber they can do the joint in 30 seconds to a minute and have it lock and seal no matter how wet or dry the joint is and there is no risk of fire like there is a torch.
As the pipe gets larger, so do the advantages of the crimp tool.

Aaron Z

I had an issue like that. Used bread stuffed into the pipe to absorb the drip until the joint was soldered. Did that 2-3 times and it worked. Bread "dissolves" once full pressure hits it...well it did in my case.

I do not do large fittings. Just homeowner size stuff. If I did it for a living, and could pass on the cost of a $2000 tool and more expensive fittings, it would be different, but I am just a handyman doing things around the house. Charred a bit of wood occasionally, had an extinguisher handy but never used it....lucky I guess.

Heck, I cannot even justify getting a PEX tool for the handful of times I need to work on plumbing. YMMV

One size does not work for all....but I wonder how we managed without $2000 tools for "simple" jobs for decades. I don't own Snap-On tools either. For a lot a people, good enough is good enough.

 

[shooterdon]

As I've said many times before, "Sometimes you need to buy something just because you want it'. I used to work for a guy that was the tightest man I ever knew. He tried to justify every dime he spent, and he was almost impossible to deal with. I think I found his Achilles heel, though, it was guns. He justified it this way. You buy a washing machine, and it depreciates rapidly; so in a year or so it's lost half its value. Guns, on the other hand, almost always appreciate in price. I'm sure his wife was impressed with his logic; I certainly wasn't.

I am a lot like that. Always looking at the cost/benefit/ROI for most stuff. Guns and reloading equipment used to be left out of that "practical" approach until about a decade ago...then sold off about half of my stuff in 6 months. Made a bit of a profit so it worked out OK. A few weeks ago I "found" two guns I though I had sold----begged the question "Do I really need them?". Should have another 12-15 guns and reloaders gone this year.

Decades ago I had the income to spend on things I wanted, but retired now. Stuff I thought I would use when I had more time to play, is not being used. I have one mentally retarded son and the other is not big into shooting. The rest of my toys will be a burden to dispose of when I die anyway, so may as well enjoy the money to do other "wasteful" things.

I am reminded of the quote from WC Fields, " I spent half my money on gambling, alcohol and wild women. The other half I wasted." Just replace "guns and reloading machines" for "gambling" in my case. We all do it. For some it is cars/trucks, tools, boats, tractors, RV's, etc etc.

 

[Professor Marvel]

I agree. As long as you have the money and necessary bills are not cut short spend your money as you see fit. Every day I see people with less money than I even have buying more expensive items than that. Usually for vanity reasons to impress other people. You get what YOU want. No justification required.

 

[shooterdon]

I agree. As long as you have the money and necessary bills are not cut short spend your money as you see fit. Every day I see people with less money than I even have buying more expensive items than that. Usually for vanity reasons to impress other people. You get what YOU want. No justification required.

Reminds of another quote...

You can have anything you want....you cannot have everything you want.

Story about a mechanic who wanted a Mercedes. He took no vacations, stopped eating out, drove a beater for years etc. Finially got his brand new Mercedes...paid cash. Everyone thought he was nuts....he was happy.

 

[Ford850]

Reminds of another quote...

You can have anything you want....you cannot have everything you want.

Story about a mechanic who wanted a Mercedes. He took no vacations, stopped eating out, drove a beater for years etc. Finially got his brand new Mercedes...paid cash. Everyone thought he was nuts....he was happy.

Hey, I think that's printed along the bottom on all of the Harbor Freight coupons!

 

[fried1765]

Now try it with a 3/4 inch shut off valve in the basement with a shut off valve before it that lets loose a drip every 10 seconds. The reason why me crimp joints for copper are so popular is that when you're paying a plumber they can do the joint in 30 seconds to a minute and have it lock and seal no matter how wet or dry the joint is and there is no risk of fire like there is a torch.
As the pipe gets larger, so do the advantages of the crimp tool.

Aaron Z

"A drip every 10 seconds"

That's when it is time for the Wonderbread!