How to HOT TAP like a PRO!!! // Is the Aquatap Mach 1 worth $2,000?

Brian hot-taps a pressurized waterline using the Aquatap Mach 1 hot-tapping machine. Then wonders if the Mach 1 is worth the hefty $2,000 price tag. Also in the video...connecting the corp stop to a 1" poly line using stainless barbed fittings. Pieces and parts can be found in the links below:
Hot Tapping Machine: www.aquatap.com/
Hot Tapping Saddles: bs-products-co...
Stainless Barbed Fittings: www.merrillmfg...
Corp Stop: www.usablueboo...
Blue Monster Heavy Duty Teflon Tape: amzn.to/44bGHIh
Blue Monster Teflon paste: amzn.to/3P3wHwc
2 Piece Channellock adjustable wrench set: amzn.to/3E494xq
Channellock wide mouth crescent wrench: amzn.to/45yfalo
Stainless wire brush 3-pack: amzn.to/45uX7wV

[@aquatap4889]

This is awesome!! We're glad that you were able to get the job done with your Mach 1 Hot Tapping Machine!

[@BidwellCanyonFarm]

Me too! Thanks for making a great product! It really is one of those tools that if you need it you NEED it!

[@BoomstickMark5]

We always torque the saddle to spec's. We also do a pressure test on the saddle before drilling. Which is another tool. We tapped a 12 inch ductile iron water main the other day. The owner complained about the price even though he had signed a contract before hand. His complaint was we were in and out in one day. He thought it would take longer therefore not worth the price. I told him he should have just bought an excavator and all the tools and hardware. Along with license, bond and insurance and done it himself.

[@BidwellCanyonFarm]

Damn! 12” ductile iron sounds crazy. How thick was the wall on that pup?

[@BonnyTumusiime]

Lovely how you don't skip tools used🎉

[@BidwellCanyonFarm]

Thanks for reaching out Bonny! I appreciate that.

[@rickcrownover]

Depending on your situation, that tap could be priceless. Very unique and handy tool.

[@BidwellCanyonFarm]

Thanks Rick, I can see it paying for itself in about 3 years, if I score some other hot tap jobs.

[@miltongenovez4315]

You did a very good job brother thanks for the video

[@BidwellCanyonFarm]

Thanks Milton! I appreciate that!

[@BBQandStreetCars]

Another tip. If you use both tephlon tape and pipe dope the tape goes on first then the pipe dope on top of the tape. This way the dope can do what its supposed to and fill any small voids. When you do it backwards the dope is only under the tape on one fitting and not filling voids on both, the tape is trying to do the job of the dope when you do it the way you did. 😁👍

[@BidwellCanyonFarm]

Thanks for all the tips! Sounds like you have been plumbing for a while!

[@BBQandStreetCars]

@@BidwellCanyonFarm not too long. Almost 17 yrs now. Loved the video, I'm definitely gonna keep watching

[@RRIDDICC]

but: shouldnt the dope be on both sides of the tape then?

[@georgeramsey2827]

​@@RRIDDICCno, the tape needs to be directly on the threads.

[@kpilcher1]

Hey Brian, nice work! I would say you are now in the rental business. I'm sure a few folks in Surprise Valley can use it.

[@BidwellCanyonFarm]

Hi Ken! I would have to agree with you! Been thinking about that for awhile now. Seems like it could be a pretty good way to make some money back on all these spendy tools. Best!

[@ZombieAirbrush]

That is pretty cool that you learned all this. Been doing taps since 1996 a n$350 for 3/4" - 2" awesome dude most people get it wrong and thats bad,

[@ZombieAirbrush]

and btw troday I did a 12"x12' Ductile tap i nneed to do YT videos?

[@BidwellCanyonFarm]

Thanks buddy! I appreciate the kindness and support! Heck yeah, you should do a video of the 12” ductile tap!

[@earlmatthews1295]

Which is the best bore on top are on the side

[@BidwellCanyonFarm]

Hi Earl, I am not sure which is best. Typically, I see them on the top portion of the pipe but not right out of the top center. Slightly off center toward the direction of the water line which allows the water pipe a strain relief bend that helps with backfilling and gives a little pressure relief to the fittings. Hope this helps!

[@earlmatthews1295]

Thanks so much for responding. So in your experience which one work best for you

[@earlmatthews1295]

Cause mine is on top and i have ro used a water pump yo get water if not no water for me

[@kvnmccallister1190]

45° angle up is usually the best. top taps get hit while digging, but 45° still allows air that may be in the main to get out

[@increasethepeace1990]

Spring line would be best

[@Germ1993]

Always tape then dope!! - your friendly neighborhood plumber 🧑‍🔧 I’m sure there’s a million comments already but hey, I can’t not comment 🤓

[@BidwellCanyonFarm]

A great plumber showed me this method long ago, and I have never done it any other way, nor have the fittings ever leaked. 🤷 Plus, I like not having the tape run around the threads trying to get it to bind. With the dope applied first, the tape sticks like glue. Try it, you’ll like it!

[@charadremur333]

What about the metal shavings in the tap that can and probably get into the pipe? Ok, I see how it saved the shavings. Definitely a neat system and well thought through.

[@BidwellCanyonFarm]

I think the leaky fitting (I kept complaining about) actually helps by allowing water pressure from the main line to keep shavings from entering the system.

[@BBQandStreetCars]

Yes the shavings go into the pipe, there's no way around it when hot tapping

[@BjörnBergström-m7h]

wow. that is the pressyr on the pipe?? love from a pipe layr from sweden!!!!! nice!!

[@BidwellCanyonFarm]

Hey Bjorn! I didn’t measure the pressure, but if i had to guess it was only about 15-20 psi at this point in the line. (It gains more pressure down the hill from where this fitting was installed.) I had to install a booster pump to increase the pressure in the cabin to 50 psi. 🤙

[@LJSheffRBLX]

good video!

[@BidwellCanyonFarm]

Thanks partner!

[@BBQandStreetCars]

A tip from a licensed plumber. Typically shark bite fittings are for temporary repair because it seals with a rubber oring and rubber will go bad and it will 100% leak one day and need to keep being repaired if you keep using shark bites. If you have the tool it's best to expand or crimp the fittings on, depending on what type of PEX pipe you're using. And those fittings are extremely less likely to ever leak if done correctly. But I doubt you have the tool that's why you're using shark bites. But IDK just a guess. Awesome video though. 👍

[@BidwellCanyonFarm]

Sounds like I need to invest in more tools! Thanks for the comments!

[@dwaynesykes694]

Copper press fittings (e.g. Viega ProPress, MegaPress) also rely on o-rings. They've been used successfully in Europe since the 1970's.

[@increasethepeace1990]

I'd also suggest using copper laterals instead of poly. It'll last a lot longer 😊

[@Stephenwc]

@@increasethepeace1990 What is "lateral"? If you mean the entire pipes then I'd mention that our Water District specifies poly.

[@mexinumba1]

Would you be willing to rent that tool? i have a job coming up and i will need one of this tools.

[@BidwellCanyonFarm]

Where you at?

[@mexinumba1]

@ I live in Dallas Texas

[@douglasainslie4937]

The final posish 😂😂😂

[@BidwellCanyonFarm]

Haha, have to admit i cracked myself up with that one. Thanks!

[@prestonboling1427]

What is the point of the coupon in the drill bit?

[@BidwellCanyonFarm]

There is a little piece of wire threaded through the bit that binds the piece of the pipe wall (coupon) cut by the hole saw. This keeps the coupon on the end of the bit and does not allow it into the plumbing system.

[@kvnmccallister1190]

Great tap. Even if you need it once its cheaper than paying me to do it.

[@BidwellCanyonFarm]

Thanks! It is a pretty special tool. When you need it, you need it bad!🤙

[@Stephenwc]

I was thinking the same thing since the minimum charge for any digging seems to be $1500.

[@MugimuRonaldJohn]

Am in Uganda but that's good job

[@BidwellCanyonFarm]

Thank you! It’s nice to hear from you! 🤙

[@canadianpatriot9566]

Have a shark bite on my main, installed 2010....coming up to 15 years !😊

[@BidwellCanyonFarm]

Nice to hear! Thanks!

[@akhil999in]

although the quality is good, it looks worth only 50 USD or so. the extra 1950 USD is just a sort of opportunity cost, worth it only if hot tapping is worth that much in a particular situation.

[@BidwellCanyonFarm]

I feel like the material is worth a bit more than $50. Maybe there is $350 worth of materials in this kit. But you’re absolutely right…it is a special tool for a special purpose, and they can charge whatever they want for it!

[@Stephenwc]

I dunno that's a pretty strong tool there. $400 would seem about right. Now maybe the remaining $1600 is because it's a specialty item.

[@Stephenwc]

@@BidwellCanyonFarm ha! I gave it $400.

[@ricardobragasoares2169]

so i presume u´ve made someone drink some metal pieces in that process.

[@BidwellCanyonFarm]

As far as i know the metal bits push into the cavity in the hot tap bit. If any debris heads downstream, the sediment filter would have shown up with some (which it didn’t). All the homes in these parts are on separate wells and most are equipped with sediment filters.

[@waterwastewaterguy4750]

Would you be interested in selling for a reasonable price?

[@BidwellCanyonFarm]

What is a reasonable price?

[@zamarronvictor18]

Never heard it called a coupon always heard it called a slug

[@BidwellCanyonFarm]

I like slug better!

[@sungilengineering8066]

I enjoyed your great video. We are a hot tapping machine manufacturer. There are 15A ~ 1200A types depending on the bore diameter. If you are interested, please visit us.

[@BidwellCanyonFarm]

Radical! Thanks!

[@BBQandStreetCars]

Wow. For $2000 it should've came with the drill, battery and charger. Thats crazy this company is doing this to their consumers. SMH

[@BidwellCanyonFarm]

Yeah, you would think they would hook it up for that price!

[@markgeater3036]

Poly way too hot

[@BidwellCanyonFarm]

Yeah, i think i got her a lil hotsy-totsy. What do you look for when you heat your poly? Thanks!

[@markgeater3036]

We use mostly copper here in northern Illinois,but occasionally when we use poly I just muscle it on with some lube

[@BBQandStreetCars]

Yes some lube and some muscle works for me most of the time, but sometimes I gotta bust out the torch and warm up the pipe to make it barely soft enough to flex. If it's smoking you're using too much heat. It should only take about 10sec (give or take depending on the temperature outside) until it's soft enough to press on easily

[@andrewosborne6666]

Yes way too hot. It takes a couple minutes but I use a little heat gun. That poly pipe has a good chance of leaking.

[@magamen6572]

dont try at home

[@BidwellCanyonFarm]

Haha, yeah. It is a bit scary.