Connecting Pex question

[DTE]

I am going to run water to my shop and have never used Pex before and I see there are some push lock fittings made to connect copper to the Pex. Would this be the easiest way to splice into the copper under my house or would using a crimp connection be better ? any thoughts !

 

[jclem40c]

sharkbites

 

[Rookie2]

Leave a little slack at the ends, sharkbites will pull apart if your trench settles. IMO

 

[ratdoggy]

Sharkbite.....You need a special tool to crimp PEX
Menards has a kit I bought it was about $100 if I recall correctly

 

[Rickster55]

If you are doing a one-time plumbing project, go with the sharkbites. If you plan on replacing your copper throughout the house then invest in the crimp-on tools. For just the one you mentioned I would go with the sharkbites. IMHO

 

[Kaizen]

get one of these. once you do the first one you will be hooked. to connect to copper you solder in a ****** looking piece. they have ones that go inside and outside of the copper pipe. I've changed over to these in all my new installations and not one leak yet. I personally have not had much luck with just the sharkbite push on fittings.
http://www.homedepot.com/p/SharkBit...al-PEX-Copper-Crimp-Ring-Tool-23251/202270489

 

[4x4_G30_Sportvan]

I ended up using the stainless steel cinch fittings. One tool can then be used for all sizes of PEX, as the 'ears' are the same size no matter the diameter.

The ratcheting cinch tool is about $20-25 on ebaay.

 

[FullRaceMerc]

I ended up using the stainless steel cinch fittings. One tool can then be used for all sizes of PEX, as the 'ears' are the same size no matter the diameter.

The ratcheting cinch tool is about $20-25 on ebaay.

I have both the crimp tool & the cinch tool. The cinch tool will work in tight locations where the crimp tool won't fit.

 

[slip knot]

I have the big crimp set and they do take a lot of room. My plumber has a Rehau set and it uses a really small crimper but they are proprietary to Rehau. and its very expensive. @$600 last time I looked.

 

[555]

I did an entire house and used the crimp set.

 

[FigureItOut]

I like the cinch tool myself. About $60 at Home Depot for the made in US Sharkbite brand cinch tool. I just redid the plumbing on an Airstream and had some very tight spots to work in, even with good planning. It may end up being a one-time-use tool, but if a Pex project ever comes up again, the only cost will be crimp fittings (far cheaper than push-in fittings) and pipe.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337Z using Tapatalk

 

[honEXduner]

Has anyone used this tool with success before? Have a leak inside my RV that will require a new fitting be crimped on and would rather spend $20 vs $60 for something that will sit in the cabinet most of the time.

http://www.homedepot.com/p/SharkBite-3-8-in-1-2-in-and-3-4-in-PEX-Copper-Crimp-Tool-with-Integrated-Go-No-Go-Gauge-23383/205435373

 

[reader2580]

Has anyone used this tool with success before? Have a leak inside my RV that will require a new fitting be crimped on and would rather spend $20 vs $60 for something that will sit in the cabinet most of the time.

Why not just buy a Sharkbite fitting that requires no tools and will cost less than the crimp tool you are asking about?

 

[IN2CJS]

Has anyone used this tool with success before? Have a leak inside my RV that will require a new fitting be crimped on and would rather spend $20 vs $60 for something that will sit in the cabinet most of the time.

http://www.homedepot.com/p/SharkBit...ith-Integrated-Go-No-Go-Gauge-23383/205435373

Can you also fit a vise in there so you can crimp the fittings. Your not going to use that tool alone to crimp.

 

[honEXduner]

Can you also fit a vise in there so you can crimp the fittings. Your not going to use that tool alone to crimp.

This particular fitting has room for a clamping device. The instructions claim vise grip pliers will work or I figure a c-clamp could provide additional pressure if needed.

 

[rlitman]

I use the stainless bands and these:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0037QFNJM/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[FullRaceMerc]

Has anyone used this tool with success before? Have a leak inside my RV that will require a new fitting be crimped on and would rather spend $20 vs $60 for something that will sit in the cabinet most of the time.

http://www.homedepot.com/p/SharkBite-3-8-in-1-2-in-and-3-4-in-PEX-Copper-Crimp-Tool-with-Integrated-Go-No-Go-Gauge-23383/205435373

That style works fine. Not as easy as the others, but it does the job. Be sure to check your crimps with the go/no go gauges. I used that style for tight locations before adding the pinch style to my pex tools.

 

[Dagny]

I like the type A pex that uses an expanding tool. there is no reduction in diameter at the fitting. It also makes a nicer looking job. Most plumbers have switched to crimps because nowdays it all about speed.

 

[DTE]

Thanks for all the replies,
I am behind times on all the plumbing options on the market so thanks for the help. I ended up buying an Apollo kit at Lowes and cut into my copper line at the water heater and soldered in a T with a Pex barb on it and installed a cutoff, so now I have to trench about 50 feet and hook it up at the shop. I sure see where running Pex beats soldering.