Milwaukee M12 2573
Milwaukee's current matrix lists ProPress/ProPressG through 1-1/4 inches on the M12 2573 with the specified M12 CTS-V attachment family.
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Copper / CTS press applications
Copper Press Tool Guide: ProPress Sizes, Jaws & Tool Classes
For copper press work, the most useful tool choice starts with the fitting system and largest tube size—not a generic “best press tool” list. This page focuses on copper/CTS applications, especially Viega ProPress, and shows where compact jaws stop and larger ring/actuator systems begin.
Copper press selection shortcut
1/2 to 1-1/4 in.: compact press tools are often viable if the exact ProPress jaw/ring family is approved. Above 1-1/4 in.: expect to move toward standard tools and ring/actuator arrangements. 2-1/2 to 4 in. ProPress XL-C: Viega identifies a dedicated XL-C ring kit with the appropriate actuator for standard press tools.
Confirm the exact fitting instructions before installation; this page is a selection guide, not an installation manual.
Viega ProPress copper size range and tube compatibility
Viega's current ProPress system information covers fittings from 1/2 through 4 inches. Its copper-tube compatibility guidance distinguishes tube material and temper: ASTM B88 types K, L and M are allowed under the stated system requirements, soft copper tempers O60/O50 are limited to nominal 1/2 through 1-1/4 inches, and hard H58 copper can extend through 4 inches.
That matters when choosing a tool because the fitting size is not the only variable. The tube itself has to be within the fitting manufacturer's approved material and dimensional requirements.
Compact vs. standard tools for copper ProPress
| ProPress size band | Typical tool/attachment approach | Current examples | Selection note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1/2–1-1/4 in. | Compact direct jaws or compact rings where approved | Milwaukee M12 2573, RIDGID RP 251 | Strong service-work range; confirm exact CTS attachment and tool generation. |
| 1/2–2 in. | Standard CTS jaws are common | Milwaukee M18 2922, RIDGID RP 350 | Useful when larger copper sizes are routine or the standard platform is already owned. |
| 2-1/2–4 in. XL-C | ProPress XL-C rings plus the specified actuator on an approved standard press tool | Standard 32 kN-class platforms where listed by the fitting/tool manufacturer | Do not treat this as a larger direct-jaw purchase; the ring/actuator is part of the required system. |
Four current tool paths for copper press work
RIDGID RP 251
RIDGID lists current RP 251 kits with Compact Series ProPress jaws from 1/2 through 1-1/4 inches and also offers compact ring/C1 actuator configurations.
Milwaukee M18 2922
Milwaukee's current standard M18 platform covers larger CTS work and its matrix maps ProPress XL-C/XL-S ring paths up to 4 inches where specified.
RIDGID RP 350
RIDGID's standard-series platform is a higher-capacity path for ProPress work and uses Standard jaws/rings rather than Compact Series attachments.
Copper jaws are not universal
It is easy to see “1-inch copper jaw” in a listing and assume it belongs to any press tool that can generate enough force. That is not a safe selection method. The attachment must fit the tool interface and be approved for the fitting system.
For example, RIDGID identifies Compact Series ProPress jaws as a distinct family, while Standard Series jaws are a different tool family. Milwaukee separately identifies M12 and M18 CTS-V attachments. Cross-brand combinations are only treated as compatible when current manufacturer documentation explicitly lists them.
When copper press sizes move to rings and actuators
At larger sizes, the tool purchase should be evaluated as a complete attachment system. Viega's current tooling catalog identifies a ProPress XL-C ring kit for 2-1/2 through 4 inches and specifies the V2 actuator for those rings on standard press tools. RIDGID and Milwaukee likewise publish tool/attachment matrices that show the compatible large-diameter ring path.
This can materially change the cost of a “press tool.” If your work includes XL-C, compare tool + ring kit + actuator rather than tool-only prices. Conversely, a contractor who never exceeds 1-1/4-inch copper may not need to carry the weight and attachment cost of a large standard platform.
Hard vs. soft copper: why tube temper belongs in the decision
Viega's current ProPress copper-tube guidance states that soft copper tempers O60 and O50 are limited to nominal 1/2 through 1-1/4 inches, while hard H58 copper may be used from 1/2 through 4 inches when the specified tube standards and installation requirements are met. This is a fitting-system limitation, not something the press tool itself can override.
That is another reason this site separates tool capability from system approval. A press tool may have the force and attachment to close a fitting, but the fitting manufacturer still determines the approved tube specification.
Manufacturer sources used for this copper guide
- Viega ProPress system page — current system range and general application information.
- Viega ProPress Copper Tube Compatibility — ASTM B88/B75 tube and temper requirements.
- Viega 2026 Product Guide / Tool Matrix — current ProPress XL-C ring and actuator context.
- Milwaukee 2026 Press Tool Compatibility Matrix — M12/M18 ProPress and XL attachment mapping.
- RIDGID RP 251 product documentation — current Compact ProPress jaw and ring kit configurations.
Last technical verification: August 25, 2026.
Copper press tool FAQs
What press tool do I need for copper ProPress fittings?
Choose a tool that is documented for the exact ProPress fitting size and the required CTS jaw or ring family. Compact tools commonly cover ProPress through 1-1/4 inches, while larger ProPress XL-C sizes require a standard press tool with the approved XL-C ring and actuator setup.
Can the Milwaukee M12 press tool press copper?
Yes. Milwaukee lists the current M12 FORCE LOGIC 2573 for copper press applications and its 2026 matrix maps ProPress/ProPressG through 1-1/4 inches with the specified M12 CTS-V attachment family.
Do 2-1/2 to 4 inch copper ProPress fittings use normal direct jaws?
No. Viega’s current tooling information identifies ProPress XL-C 2-1/2 through 4 inch connections as a ring-and-actuator application for standard press tools rather than a normal compact direct-jaw setup.
Can soft copper be used with Viega ProPress?
Viega’s current copper-tube compatibility information allows ASTM B88 types K, L and M, but soft copper tempers O60 and O50 are limited to nominal sizes 1/2 through 1-1/4 inches. Hard-drawn H58 copper may be used through 4 inches under the stated ProPress requirements.
Are copper press jaws universal between press tools?
No. A copper or CTS jaw profile does not make the jaw universal. The exact jaw or ring must be approved for the press tool model and the fitting system. Compact, standard, M12 and M18 attachment interfaces should be checked separately.
Should I buy the press tool or the jaw kit first?
Work backward from the fittings you install. Identify the system and largest size, determine the approved attachment family, then choose the press tool and kit configuration that supports those attachments. This avoids buying a tool kit whose included jaws do not match your actual work.