ShopTalk

Hilti NPR-32A Press Tool

Hilti Copper Press Tool Last week marked the third annual Hilti Innovation day for members of the media, including social media influencers. This was my third time attending the event and I can say it will go down as one of the best they’ve hosted. New tools, an inside look at what’s coming and lots Read more

Hilti Copper Press Tool

Last week marked the third annual Hilti Innovation day for members of the media, including social media influencers. This was my third time attending the event and I can say it will go down as one of the best they’ve hosted. New tools, an inside look at what’s coming and lots of product engineers and managers eager to hear what people are saying about the brand and others. Some notable introductions were the new 36V reciprocating saw, an eager beast of a tool surprisingly compact given its power and even more refined than most 18/20V saws already on the market. In addition to the recip Hilti is launching their most powerful cordless grinders and even a wet/dry electric corded concrete saw capable of gas saw performance nonetheless but without the fumes. Lasers, new batteries and some wicked firestop products were also announced but the main attraction for MH was the announcement of their first copper press tool.

Hilti’s new press tool (NPR-32A) will be sold as a bare tool (I’ve been told it’s $1269), jaws sold separately. Standard size jaws like the RIDGID RP340 or M18 jaws will fit this tool.

The NPR-32A is currently going thru third party ASTM testing to meet multiple fitting manufacturer’s specs, I’m told this is the only press tool to have the certification testing in North America.

It may look familiar, Klauke manufactures it but according to Hilti it’s not the exact tool you’ll see with other branding. Other tools with similar housing, features and action have been labeled NIBCO, Greenlee and Klauke [the manufacturer’s name].

They’re only listing copper fittings, size 1/2”-4” for piping systems. When I asked about MegaPress they didn’t say no but reiterated that it will press copper. It’s a 32kn (7200lb) tool putting it in the same class as the M18 or RP340 for pressing force.


The NPR 32-A22 is backed by Hilti’s 20-2-1 year warranty – 20 years of repair or replacement of defective parts; two years no cost repair including wear and tear; and a guaranteed one-day turn-around on repairs. Coverage is extended for the press tool to include free calibration at 15K press intervals. To see more from us and others who attended the event click the #hiltiinnovation tag for posts and videos on Instagram.

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32Kn (7200lb) full size press tool.

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Pocket Guide for ProPress I remember back when I first started in the trade as an apprentice my first journeyman handed me a Tyler Pipe pocket guide for reference of fitting take-offs, make-ups etc. That was an incredibly useful tool and was nearly worn out by the time I memorized the most used measurements. I Read more

Pocket Guide for ProPress

I remember back when I first started in the trade as an apprentice my first journeyman handed me a Tyler Pipe pocket guide for reference of fitting take-offs, make-ups etc. That was an incredibly useful tool and was nearly worn out by the time I memorized the most used measurements. I may not have a use for that book daily today but I definitely have referenced the Viega pocket guide for ProPress fittings many times over the years.

I would imagine there are printed copies available but I’ve included the link to Viega’s download page for the pocket guide and many other literature items they offer. Plain and simple, the ProPress guide is useful for quick reference of sealing element spec’s, fitting spacing, spacing from existing soldered joints and clearances when soldering near a press fitting.

I hope you find this useful, if you’re not using Viega brand press fittings check with the manufacturer of your preferred brand for similar info.

Viega Download Page: http://bit.ly/2v8J4xq

Also available for your mobile device is Viega’s Toolbox app:

Nationwide program throws BFGoodrich support behind America’s skilled trades GREENVILLE, S.C., March 1, 2019 — BFGoodrich® Tires has launched a first-of-its-kind tradesmen support program in the U.S. for the men and women in construction, agriculture, landscaping and other trades that rely heavily on pickup trucks to get work done. This is the first time a tire brand has Read more

Nationwide program throws BFGoodrich support behind America’s skilled trades

GREENVILLE, S.C., March 1, 2019 — BFGoodrich® Tires has launched a first-of-its-kind tradesmen support program in the U.S. for the men and women in construction, agriculture, landscaping and other trades that rely heavily on pickup trucks to get work done.

This is the first time a tire brand has launched such a program for the estimated 30 million skilled trades jobs in the U.S. The BFGoodrich® Tires Tradesmen Support Program will make work easier for tradesmen and women by reducing downtime and costs because of tire and vehicle issues.

BFGoodrich will partner with associations representing a combined 1 million tradesmen in the U.S. in 2019. Members of these trade associations will receive the following from the program:

  • $100 off a set of four BFGoodrich® All-Terrain T/A® KO2® tires for association members and $70 off for non-association tradesmen and women – a substantial discount on the brand’s toughest all-terrain tire capable of handling virtually any job site.
  • Roadside assistance for two years, with towing up to 150 miles.
  • 30-day satisfaction guarantee.
  • Chances to win VIP experiences to races such as the SCORE BAJA 1000 and the MINT 400.

BFGoodrich is working to offer the Tradesmen Support Program to associations, including the National Association of Home Builders, the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, the Associated General Contractors of America, the National Association of Landscape Professionals, the Painting and Decorating Contractors of America, the American Quarter Horse Association and the American Subcontractors Association.

Members of partner associations receive the largest tire discount, but any tradesmen or women can take part in the program and still receive a significant discount on a set of BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A® KO2® tires and take advantage of the other benefits of the program.

“For the men and women in trades, downtime because of equipment equals lost money. Our All-Terrain KO2 tire is an essential piece of equipment that can withstand the toughest job sites,” said Jessica Parris, BFGoodrich director of consumer communications. “BFGoodrich is putting its support behind this critically important community with our Tradesmen Support Program.”

Tradesmen and women can find out if their association is offering its members the BFGoodrich® Tires Tradesmen Support Program by visiting www.bfgoodrichtires.com/tradesmen. Those who are not members of an association can still access the Tradesmen Support Program by visiting an authorized BFGoodrich® Tires dealer or going to www.bfgoodrichtires.com/tradesmen.

Cross-linked polyethylene (PEX) is manufactured using three different methods of cross-linking. PEX-A is produced by the peroxide (Engel) method. Common brands sold in North America produced under the Engel method would be Uponor, Rehau & MrPEX. One unique property of PEX-a is its ability to be heated, using a heat gun, and repaired if kinked Read more

Cross-linked polyethylene (PEX) is manufactured using three different methods of cross-linking. PEX-A is produced by the peroxide (Engel) method. Common brands sold in North America produced under the Engel method would be Uponor, Rehau & MrPEX.

One unique property of PEX-a is its ability to be heated, using a heat gun, and repaired if kinked in the handling process which eliminates the need to cut the tubing and install a coupling. This information is widely known by plumbers having experience with this type PEX but for those not familiar I thought I’d take a couple minutes and put it all in a quick video. The total time it took to make this simple repair was about 5 minutes using the cordless heat gun. I edited the video to speed up the process, using a corded heat gun would also quicken the process. No manufacturer condones the use of a flame (torch) as a heat source.

 

At Bradford White, our business is being there for your business. We are proud to be FOR THE PRO®. We recognize that your quality professional installation delivers our quality product right to the customer. So every day, we support you and help you be more successful in a number of important ways. Bradford White is Read more

At Bradford White, our business is being there for your business. We are proud to be FOR THE PRO®. We recognize that your quality professional installation delivers our quality product right to the customer. So every day, we support you and help you be more successful in a number of important ways.

Bradford White is Here FOR THE PRO® –and Here’s Why that’s Important to You.

At Bradford White, our business is being there for your business. We are proud to be FOR THE PRO®. We recognize that your quality professional installation delivers our quality product right to the customer. So every day, we support you and help you be more successful in a number of important ways.

Bradford White is Loyal to You, the Professional Installer.

Bradford White is committed to quality in everything we do. We recognize that our quality product requires a quality installation.

So while Bradford White remains committed to the highest quality manufacturing, we also remain committed to a quality, professional installation.

We Are Here for You with 24/7 Tech Support.

When you’re in the field working on a Bradford White product, we always have your back. That means you can call for support at any time and get the answers you need – FAST.

At Bradford White we recognize this important truth: when you give quality service to your customer, you are showing them the quality they expect from Bradford White. We see you as our business partner. We are in this together.

Our Exclusive FOR THE PRO® Website Gives You the Tools to Help You Save Time… and Do Your Job Right.

At Bradford White’s exclusive FOR THE PRO® website, you’ll find technical documentation on every Bradford White product. You can search by model number or product name and find all associated technical documents for any of our products. All the information you need is here.

You’ll also get a variety of videos to help you troubleshoot and maintain Bradford White products, as well as smartphone apps and answers to your customers’ most frequently asked questions.

Our online RightSpec® Tools can make your job easier. You can properly size and install, find the Bradford White equivalent for a competitive model, calculate efficiency of a unit and more.

You can stay up-to-date with the latest energy efficiency ratings, so you can help your customers save money. You can also help your customers take advantage of Bradford White product rebates (this might also help you when you sell products to your customers).

Grow Your Business with These Valuable Sales Tools.

At Bradford White, we recognize you’re always trying to grow your business (and make more money) while you’re doing your job. So we’ve loaded up our FOR THE PRO® website with valuable tools to help you with that goal.

With our FOR THE PRO® Sales Materials, you can communicate the benefits of Bradford White products more effectively to your customers – and increase your sales! From marketing literature to videos and even webinars, we provide the resources you need to talk about Bradford White products with your customers.

You’ll also find logos, product images and other graphics you can use to create your own digital and print materials to help you better promote your business.

Take Advantage of Valuable Cutting-Edge Training from Bradford White.

Bradford White is committed to providing training to help contractors like you stay on top of all the latest advancements.

Bradford White’s International Technical Excellence Center in Middleville, Michigan is a cutting-edge 18,500 square foot training center where we allow our contractors to go “hands on” the latest technology so they can better serve our customers.

You can also take part in training at our secondary training center in Rochester, New Hampshire. Here you’ll sharpen your skills with various Bradford White hydronics products.

Help Your Customers Find You with Our New, Improved Contractor Directory!

Right now, customers are searching online for Bradford White contractors. You can list your name in our Contractor Directory so local customers can find you FAST. You can also provide details about your business, your skills, photos from recent installations and use valuable lead capture tools to help you connect with interested customers. You’ll find complete information about our Contractor Directory on our FOR THE PRO® site.

Give Your Customers the Financing They Need – with Fortiva® Retail Credit.

Another way that Bradford White is here for you is through our Fortiva® Financing Program. As a Bradford White contractor you may be eligible to give your customers up to $40,000 in financing through this program.

Your customers can use this funding for a Bradford White Water Heater plus other installations, products, repairs, warranties and other service work they might need. You can finance any amount with no minimum. The process is easy, approvals are instant and you get paid FAST.

By offering your customers the financing they need, this program can help you grow your business and increase your income. See our FOR THE PRO® site for details.

Bradford White is here for you, the professional contractor. Click below to visit Bradford White’s exclusive FOR THE PRO® website.

CLICK TO LEARN MORE