Ever since Viega first started introducing the ProPress tools in 1995, press tools have been gaining in popularity with professional plumbers. I feel like the advantages of pressing vs. soldering is something of an overdone topic, but one thing that you do not see a lot of information on is the comparison of the different pressing technologies that are out there. Along with the ProPress (made by RIDGID) there are also the Milwaukee Force Logic press tools and jaws and Rothenberger (a Greenlee subsidiary) also has press tools on the market.
All three lines appear to have both compact and full size press tools. The compact tools can press fittings up to a maximum of 1-1/4”, while full size press tools can usually accommodate fittings up to 4” with optional ring attachments. RIDGID has two different compact models, the pistol grip 210-B and the inline 200B, both of which utilize 18V batteries. The Milwaukee Compact Force Logic press tool is part of their M12 line, which makes it compatible with any other 12V Lithium Ion Milwaukee battery. Rothenberger’s compact ROCONNECT uses 18V “Makita-Style” batteries, has the same ram force as the other two at 5,400, but only has a stated capacity of 1” fittings.
For all these tools I would wager to say the jaws can be interchangeable (although not recommended by the manufacturers), but I have only personally tried it with the RIDGID and Milwaukee tools/jaws (see picture above). You can see from the top pictures that the RIDGID is a bit larger than the Milwaukee, and is also about 3 lbs. heavier.
| ROCONNECT | M12 | 200-B | 210-B |
| ½” – 1” capacity | ½” – 1 ¼” capacity | ½” – 1 ¼” capacity | ½” – 1 ¼” capacity |
| 18V | 12V | 18V | 18V |
| 5,400 lbs. | 5,400 lbs. | 5,400 lbs. | 5,400 lbs. |
| 6 second press time | 5 second press time | 4-5 second press time | 5 second press time |
| $1819.85 | $1799.49 | $1837.80 | $1989.33 |
| w/ 3 jaws | w/ 3 jaws | w/ 4 jaws | w/ 4 jaws |
The full size Press tools are all 18V (the Milwaukee is part of the M18 lineup) and, as stated before, can press up to 4” fittings if you have the proper accessories.
| ROMAXX | M18 | 340-B |
| ½” – 4” | ½” – 4” | ½” – 4” |
| 18V | 18V | 18V |
| 7,200 lbs. | 7,200 lbs. | 7,200 lbs. |
| 5-6 second press time | 5 second press time | 4 second press time |
| $3120.00 | $3099.96 | $3114.63 |
| w/ 6 jaws | w/ 6 jaws | w/ 6 jaws |
The 340-B is relatively new in comparison. It recently replaced the 330-B as the go-to full size pres tool in RIDGID’s line up.
Ohio Power Tool carries RIDGID, Milwaukee, and Rothenberger tools. If you have any questions about them or anything else power tool related, you can call a pro at (800) 242-4424.
