PEX Crimper

[FrankInWI]

REading good things about this basic PEX crimping tool.  Any experience or thoughts regarding this?



one of the trhee positive comments on Amazon:
"I'm a do-it-yourself kind of guy, and I love this tool. I'm redoing the plumbing in my house, replacing it with PEX, and I couldn't justify over $100 for a tool. I would need at least two different ones. The local rental place was also charging $50 a day. This tool took care of everything I needed for $40! It works like a charm for my small project. I can imagine a large project might be a bit laborious, but anything else would be great. This is solid steel and will last longer than I will. It's perfectly engineered to fit just right and slip into tight spaces. I highly recommend this! "

actual site: http://www.pexcrimper.com/index.html

[n74tg]

Looks interesting, but I'm waiting to see what others say.  I will use PEX in my house too.  FWIW - the crimpers I've seen at Lowe's and Sutherlands haven't cost as much as what you said.

[glenn kangiser]

I think there is less chance of leaks or future leaks with the stretcher tool as PEX wants to go back to it's original size.  Crimping forces it to not leak but it doesn't want to do that naturally when crimped - it does when stretched over an oversize fitting- just my thoughts -- no scientific proof.

[phalynx]

I have the stretcher and I think it's incredible.  Very easy and you couldn't pull it apart if you wanted.

[FrankInWI]

What!   the crimper compresses the PEX and the regular tool expands it?  I don't know how that makes sense using the same fittings. 

If you got 1/2 " PEX you are saying the Crimper reduces it in size to 1/2", while the standard PEX tools take the same retainer ring and expands it to 1/2"?? 

[glenn kangiser]

Can't be the same fittings.  The Wirsbo fittings are bigger than the internal diameter of the PEX and you would never push them on by hand.  Also there is an extra ring that goes over the pipe and fitting to create extra pressure.  Once over stretched you have about 10 seconds to make the joint and about 30 seconds to rotate it-   Once it goes back to it's original size it is tight.  Maybe 60 seconds.

I think the crimper has to reduce it from the original size and hold it reduced on a fitting that is the same as the internal diameter or smaller.

[NM_Shooter]

I don't like the looks of that crimper.  I have a couple of these and they work well... one is 1/2" and the other 3/4"

http://www.houseneeds.com/shop/plumbing/pexcrimptoolbuy.asp?stype=pexplumbing/vanguard/vanguard12inchbuy.asp&level=0

Note that there are two fulcrum points in this crimper, much like bolt cutters.  The amount of force needed to crimp the copper rings on is incredible.  The crimpers that I have provide you with a tactile feedback when the ring is set... it sort of "bumps" at the very end.  You also get go / no-go gauges to check every ring.

I liked the copper ring over the expandable ring.  With the expansion tool, you have to fit the tube and fitting together before everything shrinks down.  It is a matter of seconds before the shrink happens, and you are fit where ever you are. 

With the copper rings, you can take your time, fit everything together, make sure it is good, and then crimp everything together.  You can build up manifolds easily.  With the expansion method, it could rapidly turn into a wrestling match trying to get things fit together as you go.

With the tool that you link to, how are you supposed to squeeze the handles together?  I don't think that it could be done without some sort of mechanical advantage.

[FrankInWI]

hey, you are to use a vice grips to close the crimper.  Think I'll stay with the type you guys talked about.....

[Okie_Bob]

I'm with Frank and Glenn. I'm the first to try to save a buck but, sometimes it just ain't worth it. Spend the extra now and it will
last forever and you'll never lose any sleep worrying "is that dang hot water fitting I had so much trouble making up with that cheap
tool is going to hold?"
But, hey, I'm just a poor dumb ole Okie.

[glenn kangiser]

You're just saying that so you can catch us off guard, BoB.  We may tease the Okies a bit but I don't see any more dumb there than there is anywhere else, maybe even a bit of extra smart.

[Okie_Bob]

Ah shucks, Glenn

[Dustin]

I enjoy reading Rex Caudwell's "for Pros By Pro" books by Taunton Press.
In the latest edition of his Plumbing book, Rex describes a new pex crimper that ought to be superior to the copper system most commonly in use today.
It's called the "Cinchclamp" system by Watts Radiant and uses stainless steel cinch rings instead of copper. Stainless steel is stronger than copper, meaning less possibility for expansion and leakage. It also only requires one tool for all sizes, a definite plus on price. The tool costs less than $100.
HydroPex makes a similar tool and stainless crimp rings for about $80.
http://www.pexsupply.com/categories.asp?cID=560&brandid=
Just make sure you use PEX fittings that are for use with crimp style rings.


I just looked at the site. The pex tool you refer to is $65 plus $10 shipping for all the sizes plus you need a GO-NOGO gauge for $5. $80.
Go with a professional grade tool, you will be much happier and the Hyropex tool costs the same!

[MountainDon]

A nice thing about the S/S clamp tool is that it does not encircle the clamp/piping like all the other tools. It clamps the band on one external side of the piping; nice for cramped quarters.