PEX Piping Newby

Deere Dude · Jun 17, 2018

bcp said:
There are one-hand ratcheting crimp ring tools, but I've never used or even seen one. Not in any stores around here.

pex one-hand ratcheting crimp ring tool - Google Search

I want one, if they really work.

Bruce

Apollo
3/8 in. to 1 in. 1-Hand PEX Pinch Clamp Tool at Home Depot.

I watched the video and it seemed to be really slick for tight quarters. Happy Fathers Day to me.

bcp · Jun 17, 2018

Checked on it a couple of weeks ago. HD didn't have it. Not available for order, either.

I want to see it work on one inch PEX. That's what's giving me trouble with the plier-type. Anything less than a perfect position, I'm not strong enough. I've made some extension handles but haven't tried them yet.

Bruce

swnoel · Jun 17, 2018

Deere Dude said:
I have crap CPVC in my crawl space and had 3 breaks over a 2 year period which made my life miserable. We have chert water (as the locals call it) and it is city water, which will rot copper out in a few years so everyone went to CPVC. I replaced portions of CPVC with PEX as needed but only had brass fittings so am concerned about brass rotting out. Now I see there are PEX plastic fittings that work and are 1/5 the price so I will go with those shortly.

I bought a tool with 4 sets of dies a few years ago but working in close quarters in a crawl space with a tool with arms that that need to be extended so the gripper can fit over the copper ring is something to be desired.

I am following this thread for info on hand crimpers that are easy to use in tight quarters. I asked HD or Lowes employees for such a thing and just get blank stares. Not there fault because unless someone actually used one, you just don't know.

S, if anyone knows of a crimper that will work in very close quarters like under sinks etc. using cinch rings, speak up. I really need to find out.

sharkbite fittings work good... just remember you'll need to use the plastic insert.

s219 · Jun 17, 2018

Deere Dude said:
I have crap CPVC in my crawl space and had 3 breaks over a 2 year period which made my life miserable. We have chert water (as the locals call it) and it is city water, which will rot copper out in a few years so everyone went to CPVC. I replaced portions of CPVC with PEX as needed but only had brass fittings so am concerned about brass rotting out. Now I see there are PEX plastic fittings that work and are 1/5 the price so I will go with those shortly.

I bought a tool with 4 sets of dies a few years ago but working in close quarters in a crawl space with a tool with arms that that need to be extended so the gripper can fit over the copper ring is something to be desired.

I am following this thread for info on hand crimpers that are easy to use in tight quarters. I asked HD or Lowes employees for such a thing and just get blank stares. Not there fault because unless someone actually used one, you just don't know.

S, if anyone knows of a crimper that will work in very close quarters like under sinks etc. using cinch rings, speak up. I really need to find out.

I have been in some awkward situations with my big crimper tool. In some cases I have had to take the jaws out and assemble/disassemble the tool to get into a tight space. It's kind of nuts. Next project where I have to work in a tight space I plan to get the pinch clamps and a tool like this:

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Apollo-3-8-in-to-1-in-1-Hand-PEX-Pinch-Clamp-Tool-69PTBJ0010C/301921125

Omega Woods · Jun 17, 2018

I've done a ton of pex. Used to use copper rings but switched to stainless crimps since they're easier to work with in tight spaces.

Anyone with a tiny bit of mechanical aptitude can plumb with pex. It's easy to work with and relatively inexpensive. I have a valved manifold in my main house which is sweet for isolating a single run when needed.

Omega Woods · Jun 17, 2018

swnoel said:
sharkbite fittings work good... just remember you'll need to use the plastic insert.

+1 on Sharkbites in tight spaces. Search on Amazon for crimpers, that's where I got mine.

Groo · Jun 17, 2018

Got a cheap compression ring tool from HD that does 3 sizes of pex. It uses a vice grips for squeeze force, so a bit cumbersome, but for a couple dozen fittings? No big deal.

Hotpot · Jun 17, 2018

pex all the way! 20years in the house remodel business. Don’t waste your time with anything else. Only failure was a rat chewed through a hot line once. My luck! The ring cutting/removing tool can do wonders if used properly. I reuse fitting all the time. The trick is, after cut the ring off, use the crimp Ring cutting tool to crimp all the way around the pex( plastic tube) 3, 4 times( not necessary to cut/ crimp to deep). Then the old piece of pexs slides right off the old fitting. wha la' the old fitting is ready to use again.

Tractor Seabee · Jun 18, 2018

LD1 said:
Ever work with propress? Expensive initianl investment...but great for fixing existing copper. No worries anbout a little corrosion or water messing with you when trying to sweat a fitting, and no dangers of flame in tight spaces

I retired before ProPress became popular. Have read up on it and it loks like an excellent product. Itis not a DYI process though because ofthe initial equipment cost.

Ron