PEX Piping Newby

[mrmikey]

There are 2 types of pex connectors, smooth rings and crimp rings. Smooth looks really nice, but you need a separate tool for each piping size. The crimp rings all use the same tool regardless of the size of the tubing. I went that route so I only had to buy 1 crimping too

Same here with the crimp fittings. I wouldn't go back to copper.
Only caveat is to not use brass fittings when on well water due to the acidity of the water leaching the zinc out of the fitting. Which I didn't find out about until I had done mine......................Mike

 

[yooperdave]

Thanks to all for such good & quick advice. I feel inspired with sharktooth products. I watched their video and am going shopping as soon as the store opens.

Regards,

Yooper Dave

 

[MoMower]

Super easy, did the entire house, less than $1000 all in. Apollo makes nice tools, 1 crimp ring tool for 4 sizes.

My go to is supply house.com and essential hardware.com.

 

[fried1765]

Odd that there are no shutoffs installed under the sink!

Yeah, PEX is easy to work with and I've never had leaks in making many hundreds of connections. I have the ring tool -- was about $100 for the tool with dies for various size tubes when I bought it about 15 years ago. It uses copper rings. There is also a side-crimper tool that works with stainless steel rings. I don't have one of those, but it would come in handy in some situations where I can't fit the ring crimper, so I may get a side-crimper at some point.

Home Depot sells the crimper for the stainless rings for $29.99, and it will work with both 1/2" & 3/4" stainless rings.
Tool model# PTOOLC H.D. Internet # 303711230
Very easy to use.
H.D. also does sell the copper ring crimp tool for $59.92

 

[Tompet]

Anyone use/experience Wirsbro/Uponer expansion type pex(a) system?

 

[LD1]

The issue with pex......complicated

Pex is just a generic term IMO. People say "use pex"....but there are so many different types of fittings/crimp styles. Makes it confusing unless you are in the trade.

YouTube is full of good videos comparing the different crimp styles

 

[swnoel]

Anyone use/experience Wirsbro/Uponer expansion type pex(a) system?

Alot! Actually have used both styles... crimp and expanding.

 

[bcp]

Seven local hardware stores I regularly visit have crimp PEX fittings. Only one has expansion fittings.

Bruce

 

[Deere Dude]

Same here with the crimp fittings. I wouldn't go back to copper.
Only caveat is to not use brass fittings when on well water due to the acidity of the water leaching the zinc out of the fitting. Which I didn't find out about until I had done mine......................Mike

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.

 

[bcp]

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