Any suggestions for a Pex crimper tool .

[AKwelder]

I rent the tool from a plumbing supply house. 20 bucks a day

 

[DRL]

I also got the bolt cutter ones off ebay. They are a bit big and awkward but have yet to make a bad crimp. I also got the little bolt together crimper for small places and the other common sizes, and the decrimper. Nice USA quality.

1/2", 3/4" Pex Tool, crimper, copper ring crimping tool - eBay (item 290455649165 end time Feb-13-11 17:18:16 PST)

DRL

 

[Redneck in training]

I buy Raupex and the guy who is selling it lets me use the tools for free.
I like Rehau system that uses expander and sleeve rings. The rings can be reused forever.

 

[AHNC]

I have the pipe expander for Wirsbo and have used it. No problems...except, you are supposed to do the expanding in quadrants. You get some 3/4" pex and get that expander in an awkward position and you have to be Godzilla in heat to make that joint. Milwaukee is making a hand-held cordless expander that is on my short list. It is new but I think it is out now.

A caution I would offer. I replumbed two bathrooms at home. They were back to back. One was done with pex, the other conventional copper. Same new Simmons shower valve in each with same shower head. Same amount of pipe. I have significantly greater water pressure in the copper plumbed shower. My point is, use fittings sparingly. Those half inch fitting neck down to about 5/16". Buy the long radius 90 supports that fit on the outside of the pipe and only use a fitting where you must.

 

[SpringHollow]

Sounds like one should feed a shower with 3/4" pex then resulting in greater pressure but it will waste more water getting hot water to the shower?

Ken

 

[woodlandfarms]

Sounds like one should feed a shower with 3/4" pex then resulting in greater pressure but it will waste more water getting hot water to the shower?

Ken

This is for someone smarter than me in the end, but in CA and in WA we have very restrictive heads on new showers. Added pressure / volume would be of no use.

Second is hydraulics, I think if your run is pretty short you won't notice a difference between a 1/2" feed and a 3/4" feed due to the restrictive nature of the control valve.

 

[jake98]

but I have also ran air lines in my shop in Pex, It has worked well for both jobs.

Pex says 'non oxygen blocking' right on it. I tried to air-test a job once and it drove me nutz untill I realized what they meant.. :confused2:

 

[Raspy]

A good way to make a 90 degree corner with PEX, if it is near the end, is to slip 1/2" PEX through a 3/4" PVC conduit 90 or slip 3/4" PEX through a 1" PVC conduit 90. This avoids the use of crimp on 90s and makes a nice clean sweep without a kink.

It can also be used where PEX exits a slab in radiant heating applications to protect it. Makes a nice clean job too.

The best way I've found to cut it is with a PVC pipe cutter. The sharp blade, pliers type that you can get at any hardware store.

 

[magicheater]

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.

I agree, maybe zoning is tighter in Oregon. Oops! did not see you were using it in California.

 

[AHNC]

Sounds like one should feed a shower with 3/4" pex then resulting in greater pressure but it will waste more water getting hot water to the shower?

Ken

You have to be careful there too. I represent a tankless water heater manuf and one of the install issues I see is to much big pipe which increases the vol of water to be dumped before getting hot. Every system has its own personality, so regardless of type, position your water heater as close to the load as possible, size the pipe to deliver the flow necessary and in the case of pex, be really careful with the fittings, and insulate your pipes. Cross section of 3/4 is .44 sq in vs .19 for 1/2. dramatic difference vol in pipe. At normal house water pressures you can get about 5.5-6gpm through 1/2", which will handle anything but a 3/4" supplied tub fill