Pex tool recommendations

shelby27604

shelby27604

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jun 6, 2013
Location
Efland NC
I need to do some plumbing clean-up work in the crawl space. I have a couple of dead-head lines from various add-on's and renovations I need to remove for piece of mind. What do you guys recommend? I have no experience with Pex, looking for a good tool that doesn't break that bank...hopefully it doesn't come from HF.
Please feel free to tell me what else I have completely missed.
 
What type of fittings do you have now? Likely a crimp fitting of some type and not an expansion fitting or press-type fitting?

If you are using crimp fittings, and only need a single size, get a tool for a single size. The tool will be better quality than the interchangeable-size tools (unless you get a really expensive kit), and you only have to buy one so the price will still be fairly low.

If you're using crimp rings, get a go/no-go gauge as well. Prepare to crimp at least a few rings on a piece of scrap pipe with a throwaway fitting to check/calibrate the tool with the go/no-go gauge.
 
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Everything under the house looks like crimp fittings, and I have two different size line types I will be working on (Thought it was 1/2 and 3/4...but maybe it is 3/8 and 1/2).

Would prefer to avoid Ebay.....maybe Amazon....but I hate ebay.....hoping that statement doesn't completely derail the thread.
 
shelby27604 said:
Everything under the house looks like crimp fittings, and I have two different size line types I will be working on (Thought it was 1/2 and 3/4...but maybe it is 3/8 and 1/2).

Would prefer to avoid Ebay.....maybe Amazon....but I hate ebay.....hoping that statement doesn't completely derail the thread.
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I hate ebay as well.
Just linked that because it was easiest place to fidn them.

If you know anyone who works for a large mechanical contractor...when you buy enough quantity of fittings or pipe you get a crimper thrown in. If just ships with it like a bit in a box of deck screws.
That dude on ebay is smart and pulls them and sells them.

For comparison...:
Zurn PEX 1/2 in. 10-Pack CTS Crimping Tool - QCRT3T - Ferguson
 
shelby27604 said:
Everything under the house looks like crimp fittings, and I have two different size line types I will be working on (Thought it was 1/2 and 3/4...but maybe it is 3/8 and 1/2).
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If you've got a common trunk-and-branch layout, it's probably 3/4 for the trunk and 1/2 for the branch lines. If you've got a manifold (or other type of home-run layout), it may be a mixture of 3/8 and 1/2 for all the runs from the manifold to the individual devices. 3/8 doesn't sound like it's super common from what I understand (I'm not a plumber), and there's a lot less selection for tools/fittings/tubing from places like SupplyHouse.

You can get a passable quality kit with interchangeable heads for $100. The kits in that price range that I've used are still a little fiddly for adjustment, etc., after changing jaw sizes. None of them are great for quality.
I've got a Watts kit (a little more $$) and have used the $100 Home Depot Apollo kits and the $100 Everhot kit, and they're all pretty much the same in that price range. Change jaw size, make a few test crimps while doing tool adjustments, change jaw size again, make a few test crimps while doing tool adjustments, etc.
 
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im glad this thread came up! I am also looking for some crimpers sometime in the near future.
 
The expansion tool is probably the best but only if you are a plumber.

Watch this video -

I've plumbed two houses using the cinch clamp, most plumbers give me funny looks when they see it, but I haven't had a connection fail yet (knock on wood).

I have this tool and love it, because it has a light that comes on when you've got it right.

I would suggest buying whatever tool and supplies you want from Lowes, because you will be one fitting short at 8:30 on Saturday night and Lowes will be open till 9. Nothing like not being able to turn the water back on because you're one fitting short - ask me how I know....
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Ron said:
ZURN PEX Crimping Crimp Tool QCRT-3TL QCRT3T 1/2” | eBay
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We should start a "Deal Alert" thread and include things like high quality PEX crimpers... :D
Deal Alert
jeepinmatt said:
If anybody else likes nice tools that just feel good in your hand (no homo) and you have a need for 1/2" pex crimpers, this deal is hard to beat:
ZURN PEX Crimping Crimp Tool QCRT-3TL QCRT3T 1/2” | eBay
I did "Make offer" at $30 and free shipping and the guy accepted within minutes. He has a bunch of them.

I already have the 3/4" version and really like them. They work well and have a really nice action to them.
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JoshRountree said:
The expansion tool is probably the best but only if you are a plumber.
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The problem with the expansion fittings is that you have to use Pex-A, which is not as common as the Pex-B that uses the crimp rings. So if you're doing re-work in an existing house, you need to be totally sure that you have the proper type of Pex if you want to use expansion fittings. The expansion fittings have a larger ID than the crimp fittings, which is about the only actual performance advantage for flow, etc.

I have the M12 expansion tool, it's pretty damn fun to use. If you get one, buy it as a bare tool and buy the sizes of Dewalt heads that you actually need (the Dewalt heads are cheaper than Milwaukee, and both brands are made by Uponor). I'm going to be doing a complete re-pipe with Pex-A, which is the only reason it makes sense to buy the tool.
 
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shawn said:
If you just need it short-term, come by and borrow one of mine. IIRC, we're just up the street from you.
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I really appreciate that, if you keep them in your fridge, next to your beer.....I can stop over anytime, just let me know where the spare key is.

I hate borrowing tools from people though....it is a mixture of guilt and feeling beholden to others that is probably not healthy! I do really appreciate the offer though....you're alright @shawn I don't care what @jeepinmatt says about you!
 
If it's only a couple fittings you are looking to repair/replace, you might look into Shark-bite (or similar) fittings. No tools necessary to install, just push in. They are pricey, but one or two will not be nearly what a tool set costs, not to mention learning proper Pex crimping techniques.

Just another option.
 
paradisePWoffrd said:
Whatever you do, dont get this tool: https://www.lowes.com/pd/Superior-Tool-3-8-in-1-2-in-3-4-in-Pliers/3139743.

I didnt want to fork out the money for multiple crimpers. This tool worked, but i had to crimp the rings multiple times. If I need to do more PEX, I will buy one of the crimpers mentioned above.
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I have this tool as a supplement to my normal crimpers. There are some tight spots where you cannot get that massive crimper into nor do you have the swing for the long handles. These save the day, although I agree that multiple crimps are needed as well as a very large set of groove-joint pliers. Channel-Lock 440s are not enough.
 
shelby27604 said:
I really appreciate that, if you keep them in your fridge, next to your beer.....I can stop over anytime, just let me know where the spare key is.

I hate borrowing tools from people though....it is a mixture of guilt and feeling beholden to others that is probably not healthy! I do really appreciate the offer though....you're alright @shawn I don't care what @jeepinmatt says about you!
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I have a couple of them that go from 3/8" to 1". They're just in the basement rusting, so let me know if you change your mind.
 
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