Pex crimpers- what do you use?

[CoogarXR]

I have the Zurn/Qest 1/2" crimper, and it's served me well for years. I have a need to do some 3/4" Pex, and I thought about buying the 3/4 crimper that matches this one, but they are pretty expensive.

I probably won't use the 3/4" crimper as often as I use the 1/2", but I don't want to buy a cheapie and risk bad crimps.

I guess I am just asking what do you guys use? Are any of the cheaper crimpers any good? Or should I just bite the bullet and get the Zurn/Qest crimper? The OCD collector in me really wants the matching one, lol.

Here's a pic of the one I have:

 

[gdocktor3]

I found two different sets at flea market in same day. One was a zurn like pictured and the other was a multi head style, but the name escapes me at the moment. My point is to search eBay, Craigslist, etc. No reason to buy an expensive unit for little use, but at same time no point in buying a junk cheapo brand. Buy a quality used one instead.

 

[johninct]

Viega...It can't make a bad crimp or it won't come off of the pipe.

 

[Hiball]

I don't have anything bad to say about my Apollo brand, I've done a few jobs around the house and for some family.

 

[555]

I have a SharkBite dual 1/2 & 3/4 crimper. It worked great when I redid our house last year. I'm not sure it would be commercial quality, but for the home owner it is a option.
http://www.homedepot.com/p/SharkBit...al-PEX-Copper-Crimp-Ring-Tool-23251/202270489

 

[theoldwizard1]

I use the solid copper/brass rings.

 

[dogdog]

I don't have anything bad to say about my Apollo brand, I've done a few jobs around the house and for some family.

I have the Kobalt one (now discontinued it seems) which look exactly like the Apollo one, not a bad tool, the casing on the other hand plastic hinge broke.
great for garden hose fixes.....


http://www.lowes.com/pd/Apollo-Multi-Head-PEX-Crimping-Tool/3572368

 

[rlitman]

I much prefer the Oetiker bands to the crimp rings. The bonus, is that they use the same tool for all sizes.
I use the Knipex tool with end and side crimping:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0037QFNJM/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Though I seem to remember the price being closer to $30 than the $44.36 it is now.

 

[Brian_WK]

I much prefer the Oetiker bands to the crimp rings. The bonus, is that they use the same tool for all sizes.
I use the Knipex tool with end and side crimping:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0037QFNJM/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Though I seem to remember the price being closer to $30 than the $44.36 it is now.

Your hands have got to be numb after a day of using those?!? Compound or retching for me or bust. I have the Apollo stainless tab style.

Brian

 

[rlitman]

Your hands have got to be numb after a day of using those?!? Compound or retching for me or bust. I have the Apollo stainless tab style.

Brian

Yeah, they can be difficult to tighten on the larger bands (3/4" PEX and up), but I've had no issues on the 1/2" ones (that cover most of what I use them for). You just have to get used to holding it at the end of the grips for the most leverage, and squeeze it with all you've got. But the bonus is the side jaws that let you get to rings that are otherwise inaccessible. In any case, I'm not using this tool all day long. I think that perhaps a dozen rings is the most I've set in a single day.

Even the ratcheting ones (I've got an old Zurn model that I can't stand) require a lot of hand strength.

 

[^&right]

I have the combo 1/2"-3/4" crimper from Menards. Never done pex before, took my time and never had a leak. For the homeowner its served me well.

 

[countrytech]

I bought one of these at Menards when I bought my current place. The only problem is if you're in a tight space, it can be a little difficult to get the jaws around the pex ring. That said, it's worked in every place we had to use it so far in my 1890's farm house and we've crimped a looot of pex from 1/2" up to 1" in that time with this set.

 

[P_856]

Ive used the sharkbite brand one from HD for a few years now works great just buy the size rings according the pipe your working on. It's the one with the stainless pinch clamps. Reason I picked this one is because one tool does 3/8 to 1in.
http://m.homedepot.com/p/SharkBite-Full-Size-Stainless-Steel-PEX-Clamp-Ring-Tool-23081/202032996

 

[Dagny]

Wirsbo type A pex full flow no reduction in pipe diameter. Quite a bit more money though.

 

[jw3]

Wirsbo type A pex full flow no reduction in pipe diameter. Quite a bit more money though.

I own a plumbing shop. I e gone to using Wirsbo pex. The 12volt Milwaukee expander is where it's at. My hands done hurt after running pex all day either.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[southalabama]

Sharkbite

Also have a small hand crimper with no handles. Just the ring crimper. Needed it once inside a wall. Didn't own one at the time. Borrowed a buddies. Now I own one haven't needed it. Brain to exhausted to recall brand

 

[gungatim]

I picked up a sharkbite 1" new in the box at the flea market for $10 a month ago. never used it. probably never will...there is some sort of go/-no-go gauge with it. seems too complicated so I'll stick with soldering copper...

 

[mmelton005]

I have a SharkBite dual 1/2 & 3/4 crimper. It worked great when I redid our house last year. I'm not sure it would be commercial quality, but for the home owner it is a option.
http://www.homedepot.com/p/SharkBit...al-PEX-Copper-Crimp-Ring-Tool-23251/202270489

I have the same one. Seems to work well for me

 

[Bluejoe]

Viega

 

[CoogarXR]

Just an update- I had to do some pex work the other day, and I had to use my trusty 1/2" crimper. I thought "I really like this thing, I should just get the 3/4 version". So I did. I kept my eye open, but I could never find one for less than $80. Somebody finally listed one on ebay auction-style, and I won it for $15! It's used and it's got a little schmootz on the handles, but it'll do just fine. Here's a pic of when it arrived, and a pic with it's 1/2" brother, lol.

Yeah, these big ones aren't great for confined spaces. But honestly, I've done countless jobs with mine, and as long as you plan ahead (and don't plumb yourself into a corner, so to speak, where your last crimp is too confined), you'll be fine.

 

[guy48065]

That would be a little hard to use while laying on my back in a crawl space.
;-)

I like cinch bands with a one-size-fits-all ratcheting crimper.
Cinches are also easier to cut off.

 

[rlitman]

That would be a little hard to use while laying on my back in a crawl space.
;-)

I like cinch bands with a one-size-fits-all ratcheting crimper.
Cinches are also easier to cut off.

With cinch (Oetiker) bands, you can remove them with needle nose pliers without even cutting, if they're in a difficult location. You bend the bent over tab back up, and pull the tail off, and viola, it's open.

 

[moparfreak]

I've never actually used any of the copper ring versions, but have used lots and lots of the stainless clinches. Wonderful, always works, as long as you got it centered decently on the barb. Also very doable to cut off w/ end nippers or side cutters if it needs a do-over.

As far as tools, for a couple years I used this Apollo one, which I bought cause it was cheapest, but it's angled head and short legs make it really really useful for remodel and tight spaces. Also has a bulb that lights up when you've gotten proper clinch.

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Apollo-PEX-One-Hand-Cinch-Clamp-Tool/3396092

This past month I've been remodeling my kids bathroom and to my horror and dismay I cannot for the life of me find that Apollo crimper. Sadly in order to get the job going and cause I happened to be going there anyways, I bought a traditional Mastercraft long handle version from Menards. It works just fine but isn'' nearly as easy to use, is a two handed job and requires a lot more space.

+1 for that shorty Apollo version from Lowe's. Great for the toolbox (as long as you don't lose it like I did)

 

[bmwpowere36m3]

When the re-plumbed the house I went with the copper rings (ASTM F1807) by Sharkbite (tubing and brass fittings as well).

For the crimper, I got an Apollo for $100 or so with interchangeable dies (3/8 thru 1"). Didn't make a single bad/leaky connection. Only downside is its length [tool], which can be an issue with access if not planned.

 

[Bondo]

Ayuh,.... I bought one that's looks just like the Apollo above, 'bout 6 or 7 years ago,....
'bout the same money too,...
Still works perfectly,....

 

[nutjob]

Since I just did some research on this I add my 2 cents.

I changed out the tub faucets and it is a Pex connection. I did not have the tools or knowledge to do this so I called a plumber that did some work for me already. Well, the promised arrival came and went and I am done chasing after people to take my money so I educated myself.

Pex is attached by the expansion method or the crimp/clamp method. Crimp are rings and clamp are a cinch. Also you need to use what method your fittings are and what brand the Pex is. The faucets are crimp but came with the expansion adapters.

The house has Wirsbo Pex A Aquapex. Wirsbo only recommends the expansion method. So another reason to buy new tools! Purchased the Milwaukee Pex expansion tool and 1/2" head and some Pex rings.

Job was done in about 2 minutes!

Kevin

Crimp fitting is on the left, note the ribs are all the same. Expansion is on the right

 

[acer66]

I have the 1/2" and the 3/4" version of that tool and they are great.

I also bought the one below before I bought the one above and now only use it when I have to for 3/8" or 1".

A little emergency tool.

 

[strutaeng]

I have a SharkBite dual 1/2 & 3/4 crimper. It worked great when I redid our house last year. I'm not sure it would be commercial quality, but for the home owner it is a option.
http://www.homedepot.com/p/SharkBit...al-PEX-Copper-Crimp-Ring-Tool-23251/202270489

I've got the same model. I retrofitted my entire 2,000 sq ft house with PEX with it (a plumber quoted me $5k for this job!), and did my BIL house also. It has been paid for itself many times over...

The only thing to watch out for it is trying to crimp fittings in tight spaces.

 

[acer66]

The only thing to watch out for it is trying to crimp fittings in tight spaces.

That is why I use the ones I posted first, way better in tight spaces.

 

[usdemt]

Random story, but when I used to work at a hardware store in high school we lent out Quest/Pex crimpers (during the transition) My boss had just come back from a sales meeting and had bought a 1/2 and 3/4 inch crimper to lend to customers. This was small town, no credit card, no drivers license needed to rent. As long as you bought the fitting from us it was on the house to use the crimper. Sure enough a week after he bought the brand new top of the line crimpers just like yours some idiot messed with the tension set screws and stripped them out.

Me being the young go getter that I was, I tapped it out from a 5/16ths to a 1/2 (it was aluminum and I was an over engineering type.) To fix it. My boss was so upset about the whole thing. He thought he had just thrown away $300 at the time. (these where brand new and in the transition of Quest Pex) I told him to give my hack job to a local plumber to try. They said it was fine and he kept "renting" it out after that, relieved he hadnt blown $300 for a $10 sale of fittings.

Fast forward 10 years later I just went to see my old place and what is hanging on the rental wall? THE SAME CRIMPER! I hacked that 10 years ago and its still going strong.