I am looking at what tools I should buy for pex clamps. When I do a search on forums nothing comes up. What should the search string be?
Or, Do you like the clamp that fits all size of pipes, that clamps little nib on clamp, or the tool that fits over the ring and clamps down on whole ring(one size for each clamp size). I think Zurn is the one I’m looking at.
Thanks
Marion
The Diamondback 701 Vest offers an alternative to traditional tool belts, with adjustable features and the ability to accommodate both clip-on and traditional tool pouches for different tasks.
"I have learned so much thanks to the searchable articles on the FHB website. I can confidently say that I expect to be a life-long subscriber." - M.K.
Dig into cutting-edge approaches and decades of proven solutions with total access to our experts and tradespeople.
Start Free Trial NowGet instant access to the latest developments in green building, research, and reports from the field.
Start Free Trial Now
Replies
Greetings Marion,
This post, in response to your question, will bump the thread through the 'recent discussion' listing again.
Perhaps it will catch someone's attention that can help you with advice.
Cheers
damn, am I fat!
yur the search pro..
help the man...
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming<!----><!----><!---->
WOW!!! What a Ride!<!----><!---->
Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!
I have the Zurn crimpers (dedicated crimper for each tubing size). I've had it and used it for about a year and like it fine.
I bought it at a local plumbing supply which also supplies the crimp rings and the barbed fittings and copper terminations for fixtures. I only need 1/2" and 3/4" and each crimper, IIRC, was about $75.
The Wirsbo expansion tool is also good, albeit more expensive, and maybe a little handier for those hard to reach spots, but I've always been able to plan ahead a bit for using the crimping tool.
This summer Lowes was carring the Zurn type in 1/2 and 3/4 even had the rings.
Since my plumber hasn't returned two calls already over the past two weeks...ugh.. I may just have to learn how to do Pex work myself. Its on my own house so I won't be at risk of messing anyone but myself up. Good place to learn.
Any suggestions as to a good read on this subject?
Thanks
Be well
andy..
http://WWW.CLIFFORDRENOVATIONS.COM
There's not much to it.
I got into it because I was plumbing in two new baths in a remote vacation home with no fire protection and I wanted to minimize use of a torch. (Youll still have to sweat some fittings).
I wanted a Wirsbo expander but, if you're not a licensed plumber in my state, they're hard to come by, so I got the crimping tools instead. And they work just fine....the crimpers are well made and adjustable.
As one poster mentioned, whatever type you use, make sure you can get all the goodies for that method.
The crimpers have handles that are about 16" long and when you crimp a ring you want the crimper 90 degrees to the tubing so, with some places being a tight fit, you do have to preplan your assembly at times.
But, for the most part, it's fast and easy.
The PEX tubing can be punctured quite easily so, if you're doing new work in and old structure, watch for protruding nails when pulling the tubing and be thorough about using nail plates.
I hate plumbing terminations that are not firm and solid and the available PEX connections (tees, ells, etc.) include copper terminations for valves and shower heads and washing machine valves and hose bibs, etc., so you can end up with good firm fixture hook ups.
I believe the only real caution with PEX is keeping it out of the sunlight, but most plumbing is buried anyway.
You're smart and the learning curve is short anyway, so have fun.
Notch,
Thanks doode!! Thats all I needed to hear. Actually I just heard from my plumber after a two week wait. I told him I was actually worried about him because he always returns calls right away.
Meanwhile he said I'll need to wait a few more days for him to figure out what he'd charge me because they're so busy. With that said I still will probably do a lot of the plumbing myself. I have a feeling with him so busy his prices might reflect that. If I can do half the work and let him finish it up both he and I will be happy. HE's always cool with that.
Thanks again bro and have a great new year!!
andy...
http://WWW.CLIFFORDRENOVATIONS.COM
Andy, if you are starting from scratch I think that newest style stainless clamp woud be the way to go.
One tool to crimp the clamps on all sizes instead of buying individual crimpers for the different sizes. Figure for rework you will need at least 1/2" & 3/4" and maybe 3/8" & 1" too. Those clamps look pretty slick & cheaper buying just one tool.
I haven't tried it though, just saw them on one job.
Like this thing --> http://www.watts.com/pro/divisions/potablepexplumbing/learnabout/learnabout_cinchclamp.asp
Joe H
Edited 12/20/2006 3:25 pm by JoeH
Joe
What a coinky dinky...lol...I was JUST looking a tthat page before you posted it here. That vs the expander. The expander I see can be had for $260 on Ebay new which is still kinda steep depending on how much yer gonna use it. Still looking to see how much this tool is w/ the clamps and see whats most cost effective. I don't see a price in that site.
HD isn't carrying this stuff yet is it???
HAPPY HOLIDAYS:)http://http://www.woodstockanddeadseascrolls.net/files/track09c.mp3<
http://WWW.CLIFFORDRENOVATIONS.COM
HD here doesn't, but we have a mini store. I've read Lowes does, but Lowes is 50 miles south so no Lowes for Joe.
Maybe Plumbbill knows something about it. I haven't asked about it here, but someon must have it or I wouldn't have seen it.
Joe H
OK...I found it for under a hundred bucks on line.
Gonna check Lowes and see if they carry it and supplies. My plumbing supply store around here is a small fortune!!
HAPPY HOLIDAYS:)http://http://www.woodstockanddeadseascrolls.net/files/track09c.mp3<
http://WWW.CLIFFORDRENOVATIONS.COM
Lowes has the zurn not uponor---- aka wirsbo.
Zurn uses the crimp ring not the expansion ring.“When the San Francisco Democrats treat foreign affairs as an afterthought... they [behave] less like a dove or a hawk than like an ostrich—convinced it would shut out the world by hiding its head in the sand... When the Soviet Union walked out of arms control negotiations, and refused even to discuss the issues, the San Francisco Democrats didn’t blame Soviet intransigence. They blamed the United States. But then, they always blame America first. When Marxist dictators shoot their way to power in Central America, the San Francisco Democrats don’t blame the guerrillas and their Soviet allies, they blame United States policies of 100 years ago. But then, they always blame America first. The American people know better.” —former UN ambassador Jeane Kirkpatrick
Hey Joe
I looked for both the expander set and the crimper at Lowes around here but nada to be found. The expander set is kind of expensive. Why would one use one over the other? My guess is the rings for the expander set are cheaper than the ones that get crimped...no? So in the end, after a few jobs the expander set would pay for itself in comparrison. No?
I'd prefere getting the expander set but like I said...its kinda steep at around $270 which is the least expensive I could find it.
Be well
andy
HAPPY HOLIDAYS:)http://http://www.woodstockanddeadseascrolls.net/files/track09c.mp3<
http://WWW.CLIFFORDRENOVATIONS.COM
I'm curently working on an addition that includes a master bath and a laundry room. I used PEX for radiant floor heating and it was so slick, I thought I'd try to use PEX for all the supply lines for the bath and laundry. To make a long story short, it took about 4 hours to plumb the supply lines for these two rooms. (It would have probably taken over a full day to use copper.) The lines pulled just like Romex even though some of the routes were a bit circuitous. The hardest part was hooking up the copper supplies to the PEX manifolds. I used the Wirsbo Propex/expander method. If I had my druthers, I'd never fire up the torch again! Adequate instructions come with the tools. It takes about a minute to make a joint, start to finish. No worries about hot joints, burned fingers, scorched wood. Quick and simple.
Mike HennessyPittsburgh, PA
Marion, buy what your local supply house carries.
I have a Wirsbo Uphonor expander set, but I have relocated to the Land of Huh?
Nobody here in a town with 3 plumbing supply carries the line, so the set is useless.
Whatever you buy, if you can't get the bits, you're screwed.
I was in a house this morning that was done with crimps & those stainless clamps. I was wondering if they would stay clamped forever. It's the first time I've seen it in the flesh, looks neat but who knows.
Joe H
Say it ain't so Joe.
Hey don't you have a FNW around you?----- Used to be called Familian, then it was Ferguson, now FNW.“When the San Francisco Democrats treat foreign affairs as an afterthought... they [behave] less like a dove or a hawk than like an ostrich—convinced it would shut out the world by hiding its head in the sand... When the Soviet Union walked out of arms control negotiations, and refused even to discuss the issues, the San Francisco Democrats didn’t blame Soviet intransigence. They blamed the United States. But then, they always blame America first. When Marxist dictators shoot their way to power in Central America, the San Francisco Democrats don’t blame the guerrillas and their Soviet allies, they blame United States policies of 100 years ago. But then, they always blame America first. The American people know better.” —former UN ambassador Jeane Kirkpatrick
Nope. Not here.
Southwest plumbing, small chain of stores. They sell it at their Las Vegas store I think, but not here.
Peterson's plumbing, no got.
New store Standard, same no got.
Joe H
Joe,
If you're interested in selling your Wirsbo expander set, please shoot me an email.
I recently purchased one, but I have a friend who would like to get one too, if the price is right.
Thanks,
Bryan"Objects in mirror appear closer than they are."
Klakamp Construction, Findlay, Ohio
Make offer, I'll have a look for it.
Joe H
I checked with my friend, and he picked one up at the local pawn shop.
He got the tool, and the set of three expanders for 1/2", 3/4", and 1", plus a tubing cutter, for $160.
He's happy.
And I have a brand new one.
So, if someone else out there needs one, perhaps they can get it from you.
Thanks anyway.
Bryan"Objects in mirror appear closer than they are."
Klakamp Construction, Findlay, Ohio
Thanks for the info. I am going with Zurn in two sizes. I have used PEX before and the grey stuff before it, but always used the compression fittings to join it together. With a couple jobs coming up, I want to get the tools and start to use the clamps.
Marion