Is it hard to use the manual PEX expander?

[oldpops]

Hello. I had a guy come in and do some plumbing work. Did a decent job and had a PEX expander and fittings to go from PEX to Copper. It looked great until we decided to move the sink cabinet a bit and now things don't line up. In any case, we're seniors on a tight budget so calling the guy back would cost money we can use elsewhere.

I saw the guy using the (Apollo brand manual) expander tool and he was able to do it and since it doesn't look like rocket science, I'd like to try. The guy seemed to be putting some effort into squeezing the handles (to expand the coupler connector) so I'd probably have my son do it if I can't. Plus the cost of the expander tool, and a few couplers would be less than calling the guy out AND I'd have to pay for parts on top of that. Furthermore, the whole house is PEX so maybe I should have one of those tools around.

Does anyone have any suggestions on where to get a good PEX expander tool, and couplings? Maybe a starter pack (that doesn't cost a mint)

As always, thanks in advance for all the help, advice and suggestions!!

 

[duneslider]

Several local places to me rent the powered expander tools. I would go that route if it were me. Or buy one and selling when you were done, you would take a small hit obviously but you wouldn't be fighting the clock on the rental.

 

[Dagny]

They have long handles which means they need a lot of room. I did several houses with the manual one. But remember I'M the one with arms like popeye..

 

[Crashlandy]

I found one on fbmarketplace for $75 to do a bathroom remodel. Used it a couple times since. I'm 63 and it was a bit of a workout but very doable. Have your son on standby. I love pex A.

 

[600SL]

I tried a manual Chinees expander, I was able to do in on the bench but realized doing it over head was not going to work so I returned it and purchased a used Milwaukee 12V expander for $75.00 with the 3/4" head I needed. Also looking at the expander head, I realized they looked exactly like the heads on the manual Chinees one I bought on amazon. Amazon sells the Chinees heads cheep.

One thing I realized in using the electric on is that you need to give it 2 or 3 extra shots once it goes all the way down as the head rotates for each squeezes. If you don't give it those few extra the tube will only go 3/4 of the way on. I was working with Upenor.

 

[DGersic]

I did my whole house in PEX B with f.1960 expansion rings. Bought the M12 expansion tool and didn’t regret it at all.

For only a couple of joints, I’d see if I could rent one for the day. If you were closer, I’d offer to make the connections for you, it’d only take a couple of minutes.

Yes, in theory, you can do this with the manual expander.

 

[karoc]

As mentioned, those tool rental places really isn’t that expensive for 1/2 day rental
I purchase Milwaukee expander off of FB since I’m doing my 1000sq ft retirement home. I believe going keep it around for few years for possible future projects. Good luck, Power to us Seniors

 

[pbon]

If you just have one job to do, you could buy the Apollo from Home Depot and return it after. I bought a cheap tool on Amazon as well as hose and fitting and had a bunch of leaks. Returned it all. Bought the Apollo and hose and fittings from Home Depot and it worked, but I returned the tool and bought the Milwaukee M12 because I liked using the Pex enough that I decided to do more. I like the auto rotating head of the Milwaukee.

Often you can do some of the fittings before you put the hose into the wall or cabinet where it is harder to work with a manual tool due to the space. It does take some arm strength for the manual tool and even though you may have just exerted yourself, you have to be ready to work fast to fully insert the fitting before the expansion contracts.

Not doing expansion style or copper rings on non expansion and instead doing the oettinger style crimp clamp rings on non expansion pex is easier. Obviously buy the right type of pex and fittings for what you are doing. I am not an expert or totally up to date but recall that some pex may now be universal and useable for expansion or non expansion.

 

[DGersic]

I am not an expert or totally up to date but recall that some pex may now be universal and useable for expansion or non expansion.

You are correct.

PEX A vs. B only tells you what manufacturing process was used to make the tubing.

F.1960 is the expansion fittings standard. F.1807 is the crimp fittings standard. What the tubing supports will be printed on the tubing. Buy the appropriate fittings and tools for the standard you’re following.

I did my house with Sioux Chief tubing and fittings. F.1960 compliant, PEX B tubing.

 

[75gmck25]

I did all my PEX work a few years ago when the expansion tools for PEX A were expensive, so I used PEX B and copper crimp rings instead. You do need enough space for the handles to fully open, and in some locations the orientation makes it much harder to fit the tool (like up between floor joists), but I've had no issues with any fittings leaking.

 

[BSWS]

I have used both the manual and the Milwuakee over an 11 year period so I've done a lot of fittings. The 2 most important things I can share with you are 1. If the head does not rotate automatically, and I don't believe the manuals do, you need to pull the head out after each stroke of compression, and rotate the tool a few degrees to keep the expansion slots in the head of the tool moving to a new location with each stroke. If you don't pull the head far enough out, the head will just stay stationary while the tool rotates. Without the head rotation, the expansion of the tubing will not be uniform.

The 2nd tip is one that I've found many plumbers didn't know about. On your last compression stroke, where the tubing and ring are butted up to the stop on the head, just stop. Keep the head fully expanded and take a breath. Maybe talk to someone about the weather. There isn't anything saying you have to rush to slide your tubing onto the fitting immediately after the last pump. In fact, if you relax for 20 or 30 seconds, when you do pull the tool off it will give you a much slower contraction time. Now once you do pull the tool out, go ahead and rush a little, then hold the tubing in place on the fitting until it contracts enough to hold itself in place. After a few fittings you'll have a feeling for how much you need to rush.

 

[oldpops]

Thanks everyone!!! I'm old, and recovering from two rounds of septic shock - I think I'll rent a PEX expander tool

 

[NUTTSGT]

I know you don't have Menard's in California but a few years ago I knew I was going to be doing some plumbing work.

I bought the Menards crimper kit and it was about $70 at the time. It was a worthwhile investment and glad I bought it.

 

[allinon72]

When I purchased my house, it was all pex expansion. During my first plumbing project, I decided begrudgingly to buy the Milwaukee expander even though it was expensive and I was worried I wouldn’t use it enough. Glad I did as I’ve used the hell out of the thing in the 5 years since.

 

[Jackfre]

I use the Uponor pex A. I have the Milwaukee Expander. I had the manual expander. The ME is ok if you can get on/over it in a comfortable position to get some leverage. Trying to do it in position under a cabinet, you have to be Godzilla in heat. It was impossible but the M12 is really slick. I gave the ME away and was never so glad to see a tool depart.

 

[reader2580]

I rented the Milwaukee PEX expander a couple of times. One issue I had is the rental place that has one is an hour round trip. I finally just bought the Milwaukee PEX expander tool since I have future plumbing projects in the works.

Everyone I talked to said to avoid the manual tool unless you have like one fitting to do. The price to buy the manual expander was about the price of two Milwaukee expander rentals if you exclude the cost to drive to get the rental.

 

[whateg01]

If you just have one job to do, you could buy the Apollo from Home Depot and return it after.

That's pretty scummy. You'd probably suggest buy a prom dress and return it after wearing it to prom, huh?

 

[pbon]

That's pretty scummy. You'd probably suggest buy a prom dress and return it after wearing it to prom, huh?

You are into some weird stuff wearing prom dresses.