PEX Crimp Tools?

[meatman]

Does anyone have any recommendations on a PEX crimp tool kit? Just looking one for general use, not professional.

Thinking about this one: http://www.lowes.com/pd_151617-61002-69PTKH0015K_0__?productId=3572368

TIA

[Robb]

You may be able to rent one from HD or Lowes. If you don't need to own it you may save a few bucks by renting.
I bought just the basic tool a few years ago, used it once.

[MarkCO]

If you only need it for one time, I have some you can borrow.

[meatman]

If you only need it for one time, I have some you can borrow.

Thanks for the offer, but I'll probably use it a few times and my neighbor will use it as well. I typically buy tools, even if I only use them a few times. It's piece of mind for me, plus my wife gave me permission to spend the money. :D

[newracer]

I recently added some lines in my house and just used SharkBite fittings, no special tools required.

[Scogin]

Used SharkBite fittings as well. Super easy and no tools required. On the shelf at home depot and lowes.

[Wulf202]

Thats one of the better models for rings. Avoid the pinch clamps at all costs. Swaging tool is the best

[MarkCO]

SharkBites are cool, until they fail.

Stick with the PEX with the solid crimp ring and a swaging tool.

[Rooskibar03]

Used SharkBite fittings as well. Super easy and no tools required. On the shelf at home depot and lowes.

This. Our house is full of PB piping and we've had 3 breaks in the 11 years. I keep a bag of various Shark Bites and various lengths of spare PEX for those oh crap moments.

[MarkCO]

The failure of the PB pipe systems is due to the failure of the polyacetal fittings. Unfortunately, the money for the class action lawsuits has been used up (after the lawyers took their 40% there was still over 2 Billion). What is odd, more than 50% of the polymer nuts and inserts in plumbing systems are the same polyacetal. Thing is, the "class action" got it wrong and blamed PB when it was really acetal that was failing. But nobody has thought to sue the attorneys who screwed it up, and made off with $1.2B.

I am still a retained expert on 2 class actions on the stuff.

[meatman]

Thats one of the better models for rings. Avoid the pinch clamps at all costs. Swaging tool is the best

Thanks for the input. A friend of mine said he's used this kit from Lowes. Said it worked well but it was tough to do 1/2" in tight areas.

[Wulf202]

I agree. Thats why I also have the cheaper $26 one you use with vice grips for a tight spot.

Pex is a bitch in any tight spot really. Great for construction but service is another story. I've had to cut it back and go to copper before.

[MarkCO]

But PEX in a homerun system is my favorite of every system that is in use. Branched PEX systems are certainly cheaper and easier to install, but give me homerun everytime!

[sniper7]

Another happy shark bite customer. Had my outside line crack at one of the valves. Shark bite installed in under 10 minutes with the new valve and no leaks at all even with the sprinklers pressure