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[gainerspot]

Any recommendations on a PEX Crimper.  I need it for 1/2 inch job I will be doing for water for the barn, and also for 1" Pex for my install in the coming months.  Also prefer made in America.

[slimjim]

I have several different styles, my favorite is the stainless cinch clamps as they can be used with several different brands of pex, as well as sizes I don't have them with me currently but will be home by wednesday and could let you know the brand name, I bought them at my local supply house and do believe they are made here in These United States!

[gainerspot]

Thanks slim, any help would be great.

[Sprinter]

Zurn crimp clamp tool, either one will do all sizes.  I recommend the full length clamps as well, they cover the whole length of the barbs

[slimjim]

Thanks Sprinter, yes that is one of them but I have another set that I like better than the one you are speaking of, it's more like a set of bolt cutters with longer handles than the Zurn crimp tool, ( remember I'm getting old and tired)!

[Sprinter]

Something like these

[gainerspot]

crap is there anything on this that will not cost me an arm and a leg???  Good thing I told the wife it will be about 13K or so.  She is ok with it because she hates being cold.

[ITO]

 If you are going to buy pex for a new job and you need to buy a crimper consider the upunor method, you will never want a crimper again.
 http://www.supplyhouse.com/ProPEX-Expander-Tools-Heads-31000
 The tool is spendy but crimpers aren't free, the fittings are dirt cheap and the ease of installation is amazing. Crimpers are going to be antique items in the near future.
 Just one persons thoughts.

[slimjim]

Yes the gray handled one on the right, of course mine doesn't look as nice as that one anymore.

[gainerspot]

Thanks for the info.  I just ordered the ProPex expander, fittings, caps, and PEX-A pipe for my water line install for the new barn.

I see they have 1 Inch Compression fittings for PEX-AL-PEX.  I use compression fittings a lot at work but they are SS on SS tubing.  I know for the P-A-P I have to expand if before you install the compression fitting.  Is there anything else to know about these?  Do they have a go/no go gauge?  Are they prone to failure because it has a split ring? 

[Wood Nutt]

The Pex-Al-Pex don't need to be expanded, just make sure the inner cut edge is rounded or chamfered so it does not tear up your O-rings.  Keep them exposed  and don't put them where a drip will cause water damage.  Mine work fine all heating season, but every year when I shut down, when the boiler temp drops to the non-heated temp, most of them drip.  So, I have to spend 15 minutes snugging all of them up every spring and have no problems again until the next spring.  Thermal contraction I assume.

P-A-P also has a larger nominal diameter than standard pex so the crimp rings are not interchangeable.  The good news is with the larger nominal diameter, you get more flow and more BTU delivery over standard 1" pex!

[ITO]

 Pex Al Pex is oxygen barrier piping and can be used on non pressurized systems but not required like on pressurized systems. Definitely don't expand the aluminum, it won't snap back! I think you made an excellent choice, once you get the hang of using the expansion tool you will swiftly move through your pex work, it really shines in tight places where a crimper is a pain.

[gainerspot]

When I use the work expand referring to the P-A-P I guess I was thinking about using chamfering tool but didn't say that due to all the new terminology and I wasn't going to look it back up again.