any plumbers out there?

keegs · Post by **keegs** » Tue. Nov. 19, 2019 9:45 am

I'm looking at a few plumbing jobs and want to switch over to PEX but don't have any of the kit. Looking for recommendations for a decent, not too expensive crimper and cutter.

franpipeman · Post by **franpipeman** » Wed. Nov. 20, 2019 8:22 am

https://www.supplyhouse.com/Watts-0651060-PEX-Rat ... 9wEALw_wcB

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-1-1-4-in-Ratche ... lsrc=aw.ds

Post by **Rob R.** » Wed. Nov. 20, 2019 8:26 am

I have the same Watts crimper in the post above - it works great with the crimp rings I get from Supply house.

Not sure what brand my cutter is - got it at Lowe's.

keegs · Post by **keegs** » Wed. Nov. 20, 2019 8:28 am

Thanks Gents

Post by **Lightning** » Wed. Nov. 20, 2019 8:30 am

I'm using this one with clamps instead of rings. So far so good..

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Apollo-3-8-in-to-1-in ... /301921125

McGiever · Post by **McGiever** » Wed. Nov. 20, 2019 9:14 am

The PEX cutter that has a fixed razor and you rotate it around the pipe cuts effortlesslly and is very low cost, but only does PEX...only the ratchet style can also do PVC pipe.

Tools do not cost money...tools save time and make money...and you can buy used tools and sell them back again if not interested in the investment of same...

franpipeman · Post by **franpipeman** » Wed. Nov. 20, 2019 11:19 am

One must plan ahead for crimping in tight spaces will your tool fit in, and will you have enough strength to crimp and properly align it. Pex is somewhat flexible but i call it, you have to wrestle it.
When cutting with ratchet cutter you should not cut the pex while its curled as then your cut end will not be square ,

Post by **Rob R.** » Wed. Nov. 20, 2019 11:45 am

Another suggestion - for cold domestic water, schedule 40 PVC works very well and is easy to work with.

keegs · Post by **keegs** » Wed. Nov. 20, 2019 5:02 pm

franpipeman wrote: ↑
Wed. Nov. 20, 2019 11:19 am
One must plan ahead for crimping in tight spaces will your tool fit in, and will you have enough strength to crimp and properly align it. Pex is somewhat flexible but i call it, you have to wrestle it.
When cutting with ratchet cutter you should not cut the pex while its curled as then your cut end will not be square ,

do the power crimpers address this?

keegs · Post by **keegs** » Wed. Nov. 20, 2019 5:03 pm

keegs wrote: ↑
Wed. Nov. 20, 2019 5:02 pm
do the powered crimpers address this?

franpipeman · Post by **franpipeman** » Wed. Nov. 20, 2019 6:17 pm

bambooboy · Post by **bambooboy** » Wed. Nov. 20, 2019 6:32 pm

A little off subject but shark bites for plumbing fixes are the best thing out there.

McGiever · Post by **McGiever** » Wed. Nov. 20, 2019 6:45 pm

bambooboy wrote: ↑
Wed. Nov. 20, 2019 6:32 pm
A little off subject but shark bites for plumbing fixes are the best thing out there.

Once you own a crimper tool you buy damn few $$$ sharkbites $$$

bambooboy · Post by **bambooboy** » Wed. Nov. 20, 2019 8:04 pm

Don't think a crimper will do me any good as a fix for copper pipe leaks,shark bites copper to cpvc easy peasy