Any suggestions for a Pex crimper tool .

[CurlyDave]

I just got one of the Aquapex/Wirsbo/Unpor PEX expanders.

No crimping, put a plastic ring over the end of the PEX, expand and insert the fitting.

These have been around longer then the metal crimps or the sharkbites, and all 3 of the professional plumbers I know use them.

The tool is about $180 on Amazon, and I like it because there is consistency between what is already installed and any new work I do.

A second reason to like it is that the local building department requires that you show calibration certificates for the crimper if you use crimps on PEX. The expander does not require a calibration certificate.

 

[oldtractors]

I bought one off of ebay. It is made from a set of bolt cutters and the seller machined new tips that can crimp 1/2 and 3/4. He includes the bolt cutter tips so you can use it as a bolt cutter if you want. It works really well, but is sometimes unhandy in tight quarters. I have made about 200 connections with it with no leaks.

 

[andrec999]

Thank you for those helpfull posts, my house plumbing is all copper and I haven't been lucky in welding copper , i have tried sharkbytes and they did not work for me , maybe the user , but I like the idea of pex and since I am far enough from the equipment rental it is not convenient to rent.
I tried ebay and did not see the one using bolt cutters I will search again. Those small ones that uses Vicegrips look interesting and the price is right.
the only ones I seen in store are around 200.$ and they seems cheaply made.
Again thanks and wiil keep you posted.

 

[dstig1]

I find the Wirsbo system to be a bit fussier to deal with, but it works well. I can see your reasons for using it to stay consistent. But the bldg dept requires a calibration cert for a crimper? Ya gotta be kidding (but I know you're not...) ...that's nuts.

 

[thatguy]

You have a PM with ebay link to the bolt cutter crimper..

brian

Thank you for those helpfull posts, my house plumbing is all copper and I haven't been lucky in welding copper , i have tried sharkbytes and they did not work for me , maybe the user , but I like the idea of pex and since I am far enough from the equipment rental it is not convenient to rent.
I tried ebay and did not see the one using bolt cutters I will search again. Those small ones that uses Vicegrips look interesting and the price is right.
the only ones I seen in store are around 200.$ and they seems cheaply made.
Again thanks and wiil keep you posted.

 

[SpringHollow]

I would tell the building dept that i check every connection with a pass/fail gauge and they are welcome to come and check for themselves. I have never had a connection not pass the gauge test and have never had a leak.

I would love to see the decrimper tool. I have always used a rotozip and ground through the copper band.

Ken

 

[dstig1]

Decrimper? Side cutters...

 

[CurlyDave]

I would tell the building dept that i check every connection with a pass/fail gauge and they are welcome to come and check for themselves. I have never had a connection not pass the gauge test and have never had a leak....

Ken

Where I am building (SF Bay Area) the building department would simply refuse to come out for any more inspections until you showed them the crimper cert.

So far I have gotten along by jumping through the hoops they put up. In a way it increases the property value of the house I am building, since everyone has to jump through the same hoops.

 

[SpringHollow]

So, does the crimper need to be certified each time? Just curious.

My previous town did not even have a building inspector. But i do feel one is better off having one even though i build better than code. It does protect the general public. But they can also go to extremes.

Ken

 

[Raspy]

I've been using the copper crimp rings and brass barbed insert fittings since the early '80s in the Bay Area. I have never had a failure or been called to produce a calibration certificate of any kind.

These tools are made by various manufacturers, but the one I like the best is a ZURN. I fits into the tightest places and is well made. But any of them are fine and they are available at plumbing suppliers and hydronic heating equipment suppliers. The"bolt cutter" type works well but is bulky and must be used in an open area, which is fine in most cases.

The expanding type tool is OK, but expensive and requires special fittings that are harder to locate, plus the fittings are way more expensive. I don't like being tied to one manufacturer, like Wirsbo, when the crimp rings are more of a standard industry item. Wirsbo has the bad habit of making proprietary equipment the later becomes outdated and unavailable. The rings I'm refering to are copper circles that get reduced in diameter. Not the "hose clamp" style that gets pinched on one side. They may be fine too, but I haven't used them. Just make sure you stay away from any plastic barb fittings if brass is available.