pinch off tool

vettehead · Oct 14, 2008

In HVAC 101, we were all taught never to apply heat to a system under pressure. In all my years in the service business I've never used a pinch off tool. I may have a need to use one now as I have a pig tail on a small compressor that is leaking refrigerant very slowly. It is a long pig tail about 12 '' or so. Can I pinch off well below the defective end, relieve the pressure in the pig tail and then rebraze a schraeder fitting on? Because the length is so long I feel I can get the tail hot enough quickly to flow the silver solder but not transfer the heat to the system to create a (very) dangerous condition. If the tool can clamp down so tightly that no refrigerant passes through, and I apply a little heat absorbing paste, I feel I can get er done without doing a full blown sealed system repair. Then re shape the where the pinch off was and away we go!

Any thoughts

t527ed · Oct 14, 2008

it will work fine.

leave the schraeder out of the fitting to relieve any pressure that gets past the pinch off.

leave off the paste, heat it fast and cool down with wet rag when done.

Profiler · Oct 14, 2008

i dont recommend that. i dont like that idea of using the pinch off tool to completely close it off and then un-pinching it. normally if your going to pinch it off you braze the pinched end so you dont have to worry about it anymore. if your gonna put a service port on it then i suggest doing it right.

t527ed · Oct 14, 2008

the pinch off tool i use is like a flare block with pinch jaws and rounding sections for different size tubing.

it is made to be used exactly as i described it......

Airmechanical · Oct 14, 2008

*

what he said!

i have pinched off and rerounded at least 50 different systems in 28 years of the trade!

.

garnerac · Oct 15, 2008

Done that many times with zero problems (that I know of).......

bustawrench1 · Oct 15, 2008

Done it dozens of times.............in fact, was taught to do it in school.

Snoring Beagle · Oct 15, 2008

How about a braze on saddle valve from C&D. check out the online catalog page 8.

http://www.cdvalve.com/products.php

navyhydronics · Oct 16, 2008

Do you braze this on a pressured line? Don't think i would do that.

freebird · Oct 16, 2008

Just pull the gas out and fix the damn thing.

meoberry · Oct 16, 2008

Thats what I do. Never tried the braze on fittings, I have seen them but did not think it was a good idea to heat the freon up that hot. I am paid by the hour I don't take those kinds of shortcuts.

vettehead · Oct 16, 2008

Some need to re-read the original post. Once the pinch off has been applied, the pig tail will be WITHOUT pressure. Thanks to those that have performmed this quick and effective 'field expediency' (I like that) procedure. I didnt think it would be a problem.
I try to do what is best for the customer. Charging them for more man hours than necessary aint cool in my world.

P.S. stilll waiting for pro membership to be activated

pinch off tool

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