MiamiCanes
New Member
Is there any qualitative difference in long-term reliability and general likelihood of good outcomes by inexperienced users between Sharkbite and removable-type Gatorbite fittings?
I've read lots of bad things about their non-removable fittings, but most of the comments about their (new?) removable fittings have been somewhere between "no real difference between them and Sharkbite" and "their old nonremovable ones sucked, so I don't trust their new ones either". As far as I can remember, I haven't seen anyone who's actually USED Gatorbite's removable fittings write anything bad about them.
I've noticed two physical differences between them:
* Gatorbite plastic inserts are removable. Possibly, this is a plus if you're using copper, and a slight annoyance if you're using PEX. I'm not aware of reading any reports of unreliability due to it. The biggest problem I can see is the fact that some of the bagged fittings at Lowe's had chipped plastic inserts, and there's no apparent way to replace them unless Lowes is willing to give you a refund (vs claiming it was your fault for breaking them).
* Gatorbite instructions tell you to twist the tube into the fitting. Sharkbite instructions tell you to insert it into the fitting and say nothing about either twisting or refraining from twisting it.
Right now, I have a pile of Gatorbite fittings ready to use, mainly because I have a Lowe's credit card & don't have a HD card.
Opinions?
I've read lots of bad things about their non-removable fittings, but most of the comments about their (new?) removable fittings have been somewhere between "no real difference between them and Sharkbite" and "their old nonremovable ones sucked, so I don't trust their new ones either". As far as I can remember, I haven't seen anyone who's actually USED Gatorbite's removable fittings write anything bad about them.
I've noticed two physical differences between them:
* Gatorbite plastic inserts are removable. Possibly, this is a plus if you're using copper, and a slight annoyance if you're using PEX. I'm not aware of reading any reports of unreliability due to it. The biggest problem I can see is the fact that some of the bagged fittings at Lowe's had chipped plastic inserts, and there's no apparent way to replace them unless Lowes is willing to give you a refund (vs claiming it was your fault for breaking them).
* Gatorbite instructions tell you to twist the tube into the fitting. Sharkbite instructions tell you to insert it into the fitting and say nothing about either twisting or refraining from twisting it.
Right now, I have a pile of Gatorbite fittings ready to use, mainly because I have a Lowe's credit card & don't have a HD card.
Opinions?
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