Pex crimp tool?

I did the repair today and was 3-for-3 leak-free connections.

This is what I replaced:


and this is what the valve looked like after I cut it out:



This is the tool (from Home Depot) that I used:



Here's the back view of the new part:



Look on the right to see the crack where it leaked. I think the original installer put one turn too many on the fitting and it eventually cracked. I tried it on the other side and got about 95% of the way around and the fitting cracked on that side:



If you're going to use a brand new blade in your utility knife to cut the pex, wear heavier gloves than I did:



I could have gotten the tool back into the plastic pretty easily for a return, but I'm going to keep it - just asking for more leaks if I return the tool :)

It's not good enough just to crimp the rings. The good PEX tools also stretch the pipe so you can put the other fittings inside the pipe.

Go ahead and get one of the really good Pex tools. Home Depot and Lowes both also sell them.

I use the SS clamps made for PEX. With a crimp tool purchased at Amazon. Works well. Have made many changes to the plumbing in my RV and repairs in others.

There are several different types of PEX and at least three types of crimp rings and tools. I have placed nearly 5'000 ft. of oxygen barrier PEX in a new shop building the past couple years and use standard fitting and copper crimp rings. Due to the scope of my project I purchased a crimp tool kit with 3/8", 1/2", 3/4", and 1" tool dies for around $125.00.

If you are doing just a few fittings, use the "shark-bit" fittings available at Home Depot. All you need is a cutter and preferably a camphor tool. The fittings do not leak and can be removed with a small inexpensive plastic tool.

Should you have more questions send me a PM. :)

joebedford wrote:
I wonder if this will fit.

http://www.sharkbite.com/product/male-elbows/

Hmmmm.

Have used SB fittings for several repairs and they are so easy to use (even in cramped spaces). I carry straights, 90's, 1/2" male to females and valves just to name a few as repair parts. :C Even carry a piece of tubing.

Don't leave home without them.

I have the Apollo crimper in the Lowes link above. Has worked great for me. Where space is limited it is sometimes difficult to get the full width of the handles open to make a good crimp.

RJsfishin wrote:
Flair-it fittings, they CAN'T leak, and you don't need no crimpers ! Been dis cussed here a hundred times.

Water heater bypass ?? Why ? And if need be, you take the valve down to the plummer and have a short pc of tube crimped on, then use Flair-it from there.

Flair-It, SeeTech/Watts, Sharkbite/Gatorbites......lots of options that do not require bands/clamps/tools

And that water heater bypass........use one of the above (they make valves also)

LittleBill wrote:
i used a similar tool from lowes

and the band clamps

prolly used over 400 so far, 0 leaks ever. i love pex

http://www.supplyhouse.com/PEX-Clamp-Tool-Clamps-560000

X3 Done numerous fittings with this one and it is an easy, inexpensive and sure way of getting a tight, non-leaking connection.

I was re-routing some PEX lines and went to LOWES to get what I needed... They cut to the size I needed and put the connectors on for me... Can't beat that...

Roy Ken

hi,
i have the sharkbite and have used it. works great! also made in USA not china like lowes sells. its real easy to use with the go no go tool included to see if crimp is correct otherwise pex is where its at. you should have no problems. the tool is preset at the factory for 50000 crimps before adjustment needed.

Good Luck!!