Best Sharkbite Pex Fitting? PEX Crimping Tool Comparison

There's a bunch of PEX options out there if you're doing some DIY plumbing. So, what's better? Push to Connect VS crimp? Press to connect VS compression rings? Which pex fittings are the best? Brass or Poly? Are Stainless steel or copper crimp rings better? We'll check them all out and see what's the best!
You can find all of these tools and fittings on this Amazon link: here:www.amazon.com...
I get a couple bucks if you buy stuff at that link, so that's your Full Disclosure.

[@tannerwest6823]

Here’s another tip when using the crimp ring cutter for reusing a fitting.. once you have cut the ring off you can remove the pex pipe from the fitting by doing the same process with the ring buster tool. Just cut 2 or 3 slits in the pipe with the tool and the pipe will fall right off. A lot simpler that heating the pipe up or trying to pull it off with pliers

[@MrSugnamaharg]

Finally, an honest opinion that makes sense! Thank you very much, this was a big help.

[@oliverburke]

Thank you. I didn't know about the ring ones.

[@toddc4677]

After doing a lot of research I decided to use Pex A. However, the cost of the tool, to do a handful of small jobs just makes it too cost prohibitive. I used Pex B with the clamp ring yesterday, for the first time. Using the crimp tool on 3/4" does give you a bit of a workout. They make a tool to remove the ring with relative ease. It is usually around $30.

[@HomesteadBandwagon]

Pex A is really nice to work with, but not being able to stumble in to Lowes at 5PM on Sunday to get 10 extra feet of pipe or an extra handful of rings was the deal breaker for me. I'm not nearly organized enough to deal with that

[@spencerfrey2609]

Very thorough explanation. You not only go over how to install the various fittings, but also how to remove fittings. You were very succinct in your presentation! I have a pressure regulator valve that uses the PEX copper crimped fittings that's leaking. I'm going to switch to a valve that uses the "press to fit" inlet and outlets I'll have to swap out the crimped fitting and probably use new PEX to connect the regulator into the line, hence I will have to remove some of the copper rings. This video covered all of that and more. Thanks for all your effort putting it together! Spencer

[@HomesteadBandwagon]

Thanks Spencer! Have fun with your project!

[@HomesteadBandwagon]

The press to fit stuff makes me nervous, but I've never seen one fail. From what i hear, they're very reliable.

[@lyle1]

@@HomesteadBandwagon I've seen two fail. They don't explain to you that they can't be buried and not protected. I've had two press connect caps blow off under ground now. It wasn't until the second one that I called SharkBite and they explained there is a silicone tape to purchase to wrap the fitting. I just wrapped in black tape, then a plastic bag, then black tape again. Note this is probably less of a concern underground on a coupler or T, but with no support, like an end cap, it will corrode and blow off. Thank you for the review. I have had a copper ring clamp tool in hand, but so far haven't had a project to use it. I'm about to relocate a hot water heater / new hot water heater and was debating on what I was going to use. Those press to connect can be a good bit pricey for sure, but extremely nice for tight spaces. I had my wife under 3' of concrete driveway to help repair a separated copped coupling (previous owner) that wasn't sweated well at all.

[@HomesteadBandwagon]

@lyle1 I've been worried about a few buried T connections that lead to some hydrants. I used brass fittings and stainless clamp rings, but totally forgot to wrap them. After everything was buried, I looked on my work bench, saw the wrap, and my heart sank. So, we'll see how that goes. Might last 50 years, might last 50 weeks...

[@lyle1]

I don’t think you’ll have anything to worry about anytime soon. It will take a very long time for the stainless to corrode to a point the fitting blows out. I just finished installing my hot water heater. I had eight rings to clamp on. I was looking for the band clamp, but naturally Home Depot didn’t have it. The issue with the rings is space. You need ample space to o get the clamp jaw over the pipe. The stainless bands on the other hand allow you to do that and you can be flush against the wall.

[@CarlosAugusto-li8dl]

Very Nice video. Thanks a lot.

[@HomesteadBandwagon]

Thanks for watching!

[@user-qw5uc7fr6m]

A good way to get a smooth square cut on the end of the PEX is to start the cut with pipe cutter and go all around and finish with the "scissors" type cutter.

[@dennismontgomery6156]

As a licensed plumber for 23 years that won't work for most of us professionals. Way too time consuming and time is money. Probably work for the DIYer though.

[@markbatte7530]

Good simple explanations

[@denjhill]

Good explanation of the various methods. However, the video quality is flawed by the constant hand waving and herky jerky fiddling with parts.

[@HomesteadBandwagon]

I'll fire my cinematographer, camera man, and assistant director immediately!

[@abrahamvaro5482]

Very nice ,video ,thanks

[@ryancolgan9933]

The white plastic stiffener inside of the shark bite fitting is required for PEX pipe connection. It is not necessary when push fitting onto copper pipe. Myself, I prefer the expansion ring connections which you did not go over. As a professional plumber, I have the expansion tool, which is necessary for this type of connection.

[@HomesteadBandwagon]

Ah. That explains it. I don't reuse the press to fit when the stiffener comes out, but heard it was ok. Glad for the clarification. The expansion ring stuff kinda falls into a much more expensive realm. Not very homeowner friendly, IMO. Kinda goes hand in hand with PEX A, which i like, but it's defintely pricey

[@thaneoflions975]

PEX! I thought PEZ…dispensers and clamps🤨

[@rickardomorales1120]

How long does the pex cutter last

[@vmccall399]

I use a PVC cutter. I've had it for about three years. Buy a good one. I bought a cheap one and only could use it once.

[@ELIAS-pt5wf]

I have to correct you. U shouldn't use pex B with pex A there each a complete different system.

[@HomesteadBandwagon]

A person can't use pex a fittings or expansion rings with pex b pipe, or pex b fittings with pex a expansion rings, but otherwise, it's compatible.

[@howtodoitdude1662]

The PEX reamer is not meant for copper. The poly fittings are more for hard water.

[@HomesteadBandwagon]

Direct from Sharkbite: SHARKBITE BRASS PUSH DEPTH GAUGE AND DEBURRING TOOL: SharkBite depth gauge and pipe deburring tool is ideal for deburring the outside of a COPPER pipe to remove any sharp sections or burrs; marks the proper insertion depth for SharkBite plumbing fittings COMPATIBILITY: Deburring tool is compatible with 1/4 to 1-inch-sized PEX, CPVC, PE-RT, SDR-9 HDPE, and copper

[@tannerwest6823]

Cinch clamp rings. That’s what the stainless steel clamps are called. I hate them I only use the copper crimp rings