SurePress® is an innovative line of press fittings that visually confirms a pressed connection. Green indication fills windows once pressed, confirming a successful seal. This allows installers and inspectors to quickly identify if a fitting has been pressed prior to pressure testing. Simply press the fitting, see green and go!
• Fluids/Water
• Hot and cold potable water
• Rainwater/Gray water
• Chilled water
• Residential steam (5 psi maximum)
Copper Press Reducer Fittings 
Copper Press Fitting Couplings
Brass 90 Degree Drop Ear Elbow
Copper Press 45 degree elbowA drop-ear elbow is a 90° elbow with mounting “ears” (flat tabs with holes) that allow it to be secured to a surface. It typically has a female threaded outlet. A press drop-ear elbow, like the SurePress version, has one press end for copper pipe and a female NPT threaded outlet on the other side, plus the ears for fastening. Plumbers use drop-ear elbows when anchoring a pipe termination to a wall or stud – for example, for shower heads, tub spouts, or any fixture where you need a solid mount. The ears let you screw the fitting to a backing, so the outlet (threaded part) is held firm and won’t wobble when attaching a fixture.
Installation involves both plumbing and carpentry steps. First, connect the drop-ear elbow to the copper supply line: insert the copper pipe into the press end of the elbow fully and crimp it with your press tool. (Ensure the O-ring stays in place during insertion – a slight twist can help.) The female threaded outlet should be oriented in the direction needed for your fixture (e.g., pointing out of the wall for a shower arm). Next, use the two “ears” with holes to secure the elbow to a wood blocking or stud using screws. This firmly anchors the fitting so it can support the attachment of a shower arm or spigot. Finally, once the wall is finished, you’ll thread in the matching male pipe (like the shower head arm) into the drop-ear elbow’s outlet (use PTFE tape on the threads). Because the SurePress elbow is pressed, you didn’t need to solder near the framing, and the fitting’s ears ensure it’s rigidly mounted.
The SurePress drop-ear elbow’s body is made from lead-free brass, not copper. This is intentional: the threaded part and the ears benefit from brass’s superior strength. Brass can handle the torque of threading in a steel or brass shower arm without cracking, and it provides a sturdy structure for the mounting ears (which may be torqued or stressed during installation). Copper, being softer, isn’t ideal for those features. By using brass (and of course an EPDM O-ring for the press side), the SurePress drop-ear elbow combines press-fit convenience with the robustness needed for a anchored fitting. It’s fully compatible with copper press systems, and the brass is lead-free and safe for drinking water.
The SurePress drop-ear elbow offers a few key advantages:
Essentially, you get the mounting security of a standard drop-ear with the time-saving press installation, which is a win for pro contractors working on tub/shower installations or any stub-out connections.
