Buteline

Does anyone have any real-world experience with Buteline pipe and fittings?

They seem to be making a bigger push into the UK now with a bunch of YouTube videos, and special offers making the outlay for the tools a bit easier.

How good can a crimped joint really be??? There's a video on YouTube showing it holding up to 80 bar before the pipe split, which surprised me.

In the electrical world, crimped connections are considered as good if not better than soldered. No reason that shouldn't be true for pipes.

It'll not take off, the established push fit systems are way quicker to install.

I have to say I'm very dubious.

They claim to be very popular in Australia and New Zealand but why is it so hard to find any evidence of people using Buteline down under? Only a couple of YouTube videos from Buteline themselves but nothing from plumbers or DIYers.

Looks like a tiny operation in the UK with only sales staff.

James from Plumberparts has bought into it but clearly Buteline have sponsored the video.

I think I'll pass for now.

James @ plumberparts rates them but I believe he is being sponsored by them or being paid to promote at least. On the other hand he is using them for his extension, so take that as you may. I would say for it to take off it needs to be available at a lot more stockist to be ready available. Also due to the initial outlay cost for the tools I would say its definitely not a DIY product (unless your doing a whole house refurb) and probably will put off most trade from using it again unless they are doing a big project to get the tools for free (I believe if you spend like £300+ they give you the tools for free)

But more tellingly, no-one seems to have ever actually used it.

The "crimp" market in the U.K. Is mainly in the M & E sector where it does have a number of advantages, we have used large dia (up to 108mm) when you are up against copper in those sizes there is a cost saving, add in the speed of jointing and no "hot works" and you can see why it is getting more popular.
The plastic pipe that is used in this sector is a Multi Layer pipe usually cross polyethylene (PEX) with an aluminium barrier sandwiched between, most of these pipes are installed in service voids, ceiling voids etc and are fairly easy to get the crimping tool in to make the joints.
When the services tee off the mains into bathrooms, apartments etc it's common practice to change to "Pushfit" or "Copper" as it's easier to install under baths, sinks etc.
The Buteline system uses Polybutylene pipe, which is commonly used in Pushfit systems and not really tried and tested with crimp fittings this coupled with a lot of joints in domestic installs being in hard to reach locations (under sinks, baths, airing cupboards etc) and are difficult to get the tool in.
Think I'll stick with Hep2o and copper, having said Thad, I worked in Germany for a couple of years and "crimp" systems are far more popular that pushfit.

Steelmasons said:

Quality comeback.
As Dan says anything he recommends is shyte intershye included..

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What do you think of Buteline Steel? Ever used it?

I don't use plastic period.
I cut my teeth on copper/steel/lead/CI.... The only plastic I'll use would be for sanitation and waste.