PEX Crimper Suggestion

[iced98lx]

PEX Crimper/Cincher Suggestion

Hey all, helping my brother in law with some rework of plumbing (logical easy stuff thank goodness) and I'm finally in need of a PEX crimp tool. While I personally would prefer to do Pex A + Expansion in my house this house already has the more widely used fitting + crimp ring. In my reading I've gathered that I'm probably going to just go with Stainless rings vs copper so I'm seeking suggestions for a crimper!

• Must Do Stainless Rings
• Bonus if it can do both SS & Copper? (Not sure this is even a thing)
• If battery powered it'd have to use Dewalt 20v system
• Sub $300 is ideal, looking to use this long term not a throw away ideally.

Hit me with your suggestions, I don't mind investing in something that will work reliably for years to come. Also, is there a difference in SS rings/suppliers?

Thanks in advance!!!

 

[rlitman]

Stainless cinch (not crimp) rings are currently all based on the stepless one-ear Oetiker system, with specific versions made for PEX. So long as you get ones made for PEX, you'll be fine. DO NOT use any old Oetiker rings that aren't designed for PEX. The band tension will be too low.

Just be careful to place the rings correctly. They should not be flush with the end of the pipe. Look at the fittings closely. They will have two small raised rings. The cinch ring should be centered over them both, which means it goes about 1/8" from the end of the pipe.

$300 is not an issue. All stainless cinch ring sizes can be crimped with a single inexpensive hand operated tool. Expansion fittings are a different story, and while hand tools exist, they really ****.

There are several styles of Oetiker tools out there. I own two types.

There's the pincers style like this:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0037QFNJM/?tag=atomicindus08-20

This particular version has two jaws. One on the end, and one on the side. The end jaw doubles as a cutting jaw (that's very handy for un-doing mistakes, just use it over the ear sideways to cut it, and then pull the ring off with pliers).

The pros for the pincers style is that with two directions it can face, it can access places other tools cannot. The cons are that it requires herculean hand strength for PEX cinching (it's really designed for lower band tension Oetiker clamps for rubber hoses and the like).

In a place where access is difficult, I'll use mine to start the ring. Just a gentle pinch to get it placed correctly, and then I can finish the job with:

The bolt-cutter style:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01N9N2ZKP/?tag=atomicindus08-20

That's the exact one I have. Cheap ones can be found for under $15 if you look hard.

Pros: a child is strong enough to close it.
Cons: it requires two hands, and in many "stretch" positions, it can be quite difficult to start a ring without it shifting out of position.

Last but not least is the one-hand tool:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0053YCN5I/?tag=atomicindus08-20

That's the style I don't own. So far, I've been able to make do with the others. Some people prefer this, and some do not. It's much a matter of personal taste.

 

[iced98lx]

Stainless cinch (not crimp) rings are currently all based on the stepless one-ear Oetiker system, with specific versions made for PEX. So long as you get ones made for PEX, you'll be fine. DO NOT use any old Oetiker rings that aren't designed for PEX. The band tension will be too low.

Just be careful to place the rings correctly. They should not be flush with the end of the pipe. Look at the fittings closely. They will have two small raised rings. The cinch ring should be centered over them both, which means it goes about 1/8" from the end of the pipe.

$300 is not an issue. All stainless cinch ring sizes can be crimped with a single inexpensive hand operated tool. Expansion fittings are a different story, and while hand tools exist, they really ****.

There are several styles of Oetiker tools out there. I own two types.

There's the pincers style like this:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0037QFNJM/?tag=atomicindus08-20

This particular version has two jaws. One on the end, and one on the side. The end jaw doubles as a cutting jaw (that's very handy for un-doing mistakes, just use it over the ear sideways to cut it, and then pull the ring off with pliers).

The pros for the pincers style is that with two directions it can face, it can access places other tools cannot. The cons are that it requires herculean hand strength for PEX cinching (it's really designed for lower band tension Oetiker clamps for rubber hoses and the like).

In a place where access is difficult, I'll use mine to start the ring. Just a gentle pinch to get it placed correctly, and then I can finish the job with:

The bolt-cutter style:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01N9N2ZKP/?tag=atomicindus08-20

That's the exact one I have. Cheap ones can be found for under $15 if you look hard.

Pros: a child is strong enough to close it.
Cons: it requires two hands, and in many "stretch" positions, it can be quite difficult to start a ring without it shifting out of position.

Last but not least is the one-hand tool:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0053YCN5I/?tag=atomicindus08-20

That's the style I don't own. So far, I've been able to make do with the others. Some people prefer this, and some do not. It's much a matter of personal taste.

Thank you for the response, I tried to edit the title but it was too late

I especially appreciate the pitfall note of making sure the ring is situated properly. I've been combing over dozens of $20-50 bolt cutter style cinchers and just didn't know if any wouldn't work. I noted a 3rd style with a 3rd handle (This sharkbite one https://www.lowes.com/pd/SharkBite-3-8-to-1-in-PEX-tool/1000224581 and this mastforce version https://www.menards.com/main/storeitem.html?iid=1531204189414) and was sort of just going to go with that since I could pick them up locally at menards or lowes but I see the upside of the side jaw plier to get it in position. luckily this work will almost all be very exposed/easy access stuff so I'm probably not down and out with the bolt cutter version you linked.

 

[rlitman]

The 3rd handle is so you can start the "bolt-cutters" with one hand. I forgot about those. Yeah, it's a very nice feature. Years ago I had that on a Zurn tool, but mine only worked with proprietary stainless clamps that seem to be long off the market.

The side jaw pliers are nice, but I'll warn you now: if you're doing 1/2" PEX, by the second or third cinch your hands will be worn out. If you're doing 3/4" PEX, you may find it impossible to get even the first fully closed. I am only barely able to, with the full strength of both hands on the pliers and serious grunting. Forget cinching 1" at all without mechanical assistance.

 

[iced98lx]

The 3rd handle is so you can start the "bolt-cutters" with one hand. I forgot about those. Yeah, it's a very nice feature. Years ago I had that on a Zurn tool, but mine only worked with proprietary stainless clamps that seem to be long off the market.

The side jaw pliers are nice, but I'll warn you now: if you're doing 1/2" PEX, by the second or third cinch your hands will be worn out. If you're doing 3/4" PEX, you may find it impossible to get even the first fully closed. I am only barely able to, with the full strength of both hands on the pliers and serious grunting. Forget cinching 1" at all without mechanical assistance.

Okay this all makes some sense, seems like I can replace the pliers+bolt cutter combo with the 1 tool I linked (one handed starting + mechanical leverage).

 

[Zmann]

not sure if it is what your after but HD has the m12 pex tool kit on sale

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Milwauk...-M12-PVC-Pipe-Shear-2432-22-2470-20/309029698

 

[Zmann]

NM looks like A type

 

[iced98lx]

NM looks like A type

Yea that seems to be the preferred tool for A type, sadly I'm a dewalt collector so I'd probably go with their version. Appreciate the tip!

 

[alinc100]

This : https://www.homedepot.com/p/RYOBI-1...EX-Tubing-Clamp-Tool-Tool-Only-P660/305261211

combined with this: https://badaptor.com/us/product/convert-dewalt-battery-adaptor-to-ryobi-cordless-tool/


I have the badaptor for Makita and I swear before my next PEX job I'll have the Ryobi crimper

 

[allinon72]

I have the Apollo brand cinch tool and it works perfectly. Apollo is know for quality products so I didn't hesitate to spend a bit more for it.

 

[fourjeepin]

If I hadn’t already replumbed my house (sharkbite brand crimper), I would buy the Ryobi crimper and run it with an adapter as alinc100 mentioned. But Ridgid batteries instead of Dewalt. Not being stuck to one tool brand greatly expands your options.

 

[decableguy2000]

I have the 2 and 3 handle Sharkbites and they worked well for what I needed. Also have Apollo crimper but decided it was to cumbersome in small areas and went with the cinch rings. Also the cinch ring crimpers work on tie rod boot clamps as well.

 

[Firefighter1406]

I personally only purchase the close quarter ones. It tight spaces they are a life saver. Take a little more effort to crimp but worth it in my opinion. I have a NIBCO 1/2” one and I can’t remember which brand the 3/4” one is.