Pex Tools

[kranker]

Looking to make the transition from copper to pex for plumbing needs. I was wondering what the opinion is for the best type of pex fastening system? The copper crimp bands or the cinche clamps? Both are available to me from my local big box stores. looking for some experience from the people on the board.

Thanks Tom

 

[Jbullfrog]

I use the expander tool and the plastic rings. I get the white pex and rings from my plumber (40 miles to Menards or HD). You slip the ring on the pex, stretch it with the tool, and insert the barbed fitting. You can cut the ring and take a joint apart as well.

 

[kranker]

That's the one type I don't have readily available to me. lol

 

[wildstyle]

I prefer the crimp rings better than the clamp type. Seems to be the more common. Used style as well.

Sent from my SGH-I747M using Tapatalk

 

[ishiboo]

I'm with wild with the crimp rings. The expanding seems to be the most professional, however as you said it's much harder to find.

For a bit more money, the crimp rings with the collar and the "viewing hole" are a bit easier to work with in tight areas versus the regular rings.

 

[jeremy v]

I personally prefer the Oetiker clamp style, but as a whole I am not a big fan of PEX for home plumbing that is constantly pressurized. I am good at soldering and I enjoy working with copper, so I use it instead whenever possible for critical applications. I like how the same Oetiker pliers can be used on Oetiker clamps in an engine compartment, how there is one tool for all sizes, they are easier to replace or fix if there is ever an issue, and they are stainless so they can also be used for clamping underground black flexible irrigation system pipes. To me they are far more versatile instead of just being good for home plumbing.

I use the Knipex 1099 pliers, and I like how they can be used perpendicular to the pipe like normal pliers, or they can also make a clamp from a position parallel to the hose for tighter areas by using the side of the plier head.

 

[P_856]

I've been using the crimp rings it's very easy and haven't had any leaks or problems with it at all. The crimping took itself is kinda of expensive but i used a harbor freight coupon at Home Depot so it wasn't too bad.

 

[Digital4n6]

I've been using the Apollo crimp tool set for years, never an issue or leak. Works very well.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B003JN7314/?tag=atomicindus08-20


Some Lowes stores still carry the set listed above.

 

[kranker]

Thanks guys for the opinions. It gives me something to think about. I am leaning towards the crimp style and was looking at that exact tool Digital. I am going to go to the plumbing stores to verify which they have. I still use copper as much as possible but there is some pex in my current house.

Thanks Again

 

[skruft]

I have tried only crimp rings, using tools I found at the flea market. It seems to work since there have been no leaks.

 

[Heavy Metal Doctor]

I have no problem with copper - I have soldered a whole house worth of it, but IMO, PEX a lot easier to deal with. Less pieces required since you aren't a restricted to relatively straight runs with 90's / 45's like copper. I switched a while back when doing a full bathroom renovation. I use the solid band crimp type because that was all they had available when I tooled up and started using PEX. I ended up with separate crimpers for 1/2 and 3/4. The down side is the jaws of the crimper not fitting easily into corners -- at initial plumbing install, you can easily plan ahead and work around that, but I just did a tight spot repair last WE where I transitioned old copper to PEX to simplify the rest of the work from that point out. Clamping the PEX on was a bit of a pain cause the pipe was about 4 inches out of corner of a wall - not really enough room for handles of the crimper to spread wide to go over pipe.

 

[Packard V8]

Timely thread.

I thought my 83-year-old house was a PITA for plumbing. It has cast iron, galvanized, copper and PEX piping. Takes a lot of tools to be ready for anything. PEX tools are next on the list.

Then, I saw my son's relatively new high-end house and it's got plastic, galvanized, copper and PEX.

My daughter's house has all of the above, plus the crimped copper fittings. The numbnuts who installed the water heater didn't use unions. With a water heater, it's not if it's going to have to be replaced, but how soon.

Has anyone had any problems soldering on copper which has the crimped fittings? They have an internal O-ring and I'd hate to melt out the next 0-ring up the line whilst soldering in a union. And I don't want to buy the copper crimping tool, but that may be a necessity.

jack vines

 

[Doc]

Pex is quick and easy. I use it every chance I get. I like the metal rings best. However, spend the extra on the metal vice plastic fittings. The plastic ones seam cheesy to me and I fear one may fail behind a wall or ceiling.

 

[Majordisorder]

kranker, I'm a fan of copper but migrated to crimp rings and dedicated tools for 1/2" and 3/4"pex. For 1" I got the Oetiker style cinch clamps and pliers. Like jeremy v mentions, once you have the Oetiker pliers, you can use it for lots of things besides house plumbing.