PEX crimp tool?

[David in KY]

To add some confusion to the mix:

There is PEX A and PEX B. I'll let you research that independently. However know that the big box stores only sell PEX B. Plumbing supply houses sell PEX A.

The tool to install PEX A involves placing a special sleeve on the end of the tube, using an expander tool, which temporarily widens the opening, then inserting the fitting or valve before the tubing contracts to its original diameter.

The tool to install PEX B, which is what is being discussed in this thread, basically crimps or locks a compression ring onto the outside diameter of the tube, sealing it against the fitting.

A main advantage of PEX A (among others) is that the diameter of the fittings is the same as the tubing, therefore not introducing any restriction to flow at the connection. With PEX B, the fitting inside diameter is smaller than that of the tubing, and actually present some restriction to flow at every fitting.

This may be negligible is a repair scenario, but may be important in a overall system design, say for a whole house installation.

 

[IndyIan]

Maybe just rent or borrow a decent crimper?
I did my whole house with pex nearly 20 years ago, not a leak yet. I got a 1/2, 3/4 combo crimper from home depot, but IIRC it was $100 back then. Pulling lines from the basement without kinking them was a workout.

 

[5030]

Only PEX I have is my in floor heating system in the shop and it's O2 barrier PEX. I don't like it either, PEX in general. I much prefer solvent weld rigid plastic piping.

 

[caver]

I plan to put Pex A in my cabin build. Originally I was going with copper.

 

[Oaktree]

I love using pex. I redid all of the water lines in my house with it. Just don’t use metal fittings if you have well water.

What kind of problems do you have using well water? I would imagine it varies by region and what minerals, etc. are in the water locally. The fittings I used appeared to be brass, never had a problem with that before...brass fittings have been used forever with copper pipe.

 

[Oaktree]

Pulling lines from the basement without kinking them was a workout.

I just used 8' straight sections when I did mine. No runs long enough that I'd need to use couplings, just tees/elbows. I see they also sell it in coils, how quickly does it straighten out when uncoiled? I can see how that could make pulling lines "interesting".

 

[4570Man]

What kind of problems do you have using well water? I would imagine it varies by region and what minerals, etc. are in the water locally. The fittings I used appeared to be brass, never had a problem with that before...brass fittings have been used forever with copper pipe.

Copper tubing has been known to corrode away and eventually leak if the well water is acidic. The pex fittings are much thicker than copper tubing. I don’t think it would ever be a problem but you could use the plastic ones if that’s a concern.

 

[kenmac]

all I use anymore is pex and here's the tool I use

ONE+ 18V Lithium-Ion Cordless PEX Tubing Clamp Tool (Tool Only)

 

[kennyd]

iWiss/iCrimp have fantastic crimpers for just about everything, a great value compared to many brands. I have them mainly for connector (electric) assembly and they are great. Some AMP/Tyco crimpers are in the hundreds of dollars and unaffordable for the hobbyist and small business. If I needed a PEX crimper, this is the first place I'd look.

 

[bdhsfz6]

I use PEX extensively. I particularly like the fact that it can freeze with no damage.

I had an old copper waterline from the barn out to a hydrant in the pasture. It was only buried 24" deep due to rock ledge. We rarely get 24" of frost here anymore but occasionally, the darn thing would freeze. The last time I had to dig it up to make repairs, I replaced the whole run with PEX. That was 8 years ago and it's frozen twice since then, but it thaws with no damage.