PEX Pocket Crimper??
 

I've seen one of these little PEX crimp tools at Lowes for about $25
and I'm wondering if any of you Solar Hot water guys use this kind of tool for the copper crimps?

The only PEX work I've done so far used Sharkbite or plastic twist-lock type connections.

I've got some work piling up.. And, my new water mixer is here!


Thanks for any advice,
Rich

Pocket size? I would be warry of that, I use the bolt cutter size and they work well but take a little force, thing is is that they are down to about $30-40 per pair.

Use this one with your vise grips for $25..
Shop Superior Tool Pex Pocket Crimper at Lowes.com


I kinda like this one,
Shop Kobalt PEX Crimp Tool Kit at Lowes.com
for $59 and that's the cheapest I've seen a full sized crimp tool..
Cheap, but more that twice the price of the pocket model..

I just need one for 1/2" for small projects, where it makes no difference if it takes an extra minute or two to crimp each fitting..

I do like the small one, since it can be used it tight spaces..

I've only used the larger one which works very nicely...

Last night, after reading the online reviews of the Pocket Crimper,
I went ahead and ordered on off Ebay. Just now got an email.

Service type: Priority Mail® (2-3 days)
Shipping Status: Shipped

I'll post a review after I try it out.. :)

New PEX crimper plumbing hand tool 3/8,1/2,3/4"one tool - eBay (item 170390147918 end time Apr-01-10 06:43:32 PDT)

http://pexcrimper.com/images/montage.jpg


http://pexcrimper.com/images/testimonials.jpg

I gotta say I love the price. Last I looked at them, these tools were $75 for a one size and $100 for a two size crimper.

The price is good, but " the name "PEX POCKET CRIMPER" was printed upside down on one side." !!

I just hope the water doesn't come out upside down! ;)

Time for some PEX!
 

My Crimper is in the mail, but the PEX stuff I ordered at the same time is already here.

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...Solar/PEX1.jpg
That PEX tube cutter is sharp!! My PEX starter kit, shown with the new water mixer.
Product

The Crimper came today.. It looks tough, like it's going to last a lot longer than me..

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1.../pocketPEX.jpg

Once the flood waters recede in the basement, I'll be able to do some DIY work.. :)

Nice. Let us know how it works. :)

bought the same one the other day so I could plumb in some pex to the tankless heater I just installed. All I can say is they work, I think it would be much easier to do with a bolt cutter style instead of multiple squeezes with the vise grips but hey its 25 bucks and it does the three main sizes, not to mention you could probably get this baby in some tight spots.

Any updates on how these work? I'm looking to possibly pickup a tool. For as much as I'd probably use it, I don't want to spend a ton.

I like the "tight spots" feature. And, for the amount of crimps needed by the average DIYer, the price is right.
Even if it takes an extra 30 seconds on each crimp.

I'm planing to start work pretty soon, so I'll report on the tool at some point.. :o

My little project I was thinking of doing was adding heat traps to my water heater. I just spent the other night insulating the pipes and noticed those pipes were quite warm! So, I really only need to make an amazing 4 crimps. :)

I just got through replacing the plumbing in my house with PEX.

In the beginning, I tried the bolt cutter style crimper and the copper rings, but I switched to the "cinch" style that uses this kind of ring:


...and this kind of crimper:


The cinch rings are a bit more expensive, and the cinch crimper is cheaper and smaller.

The cinch crimper grabs the ring on the 'cinch' on the side. Once you start squeezing, a ratchet engages. You can't remove the tool until the chinch is complete. You don't use the 'Go, No-Go' tester thingie.

I had a couple of leakers with the copper ring style, and NO leakers with the cinch set up. Also the cinch crimper is shorter and easier to manage in tight spaces, because you just need to grab onto the cinch on the side of the ring.

The guys at the hardware store told me that plumbers were telling him that the cinch style was less likely to loosen up with temperature cycling.

Lastly, if you need to remove a cinch ring (I did because of a plumbing error, not a leak), the cinch ring is easier to remove without damaging the PEX, than the copper ring.

-AC_Hacker

I agree with you AC HACKER. The tool and the clamps are especially cheap, but I've had no leaks on PEX connections for three year now. Did you get yours on line?

My wife has been bugging me to fix the hot water mix..
But, so far.. Nope.. I'm procrastinating this one.
That I'm hoping to get to it after I finish up with some solar stuff..

I got mine at a local Lowes that is a couple of miles from my house. Not as cheap as on line, and I needed them right away.

-AC_Hacker