Plumbing PEX – Comparing PEX Pinch Clamps vs. Crimp Rings

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I just saw these for the first time today at Lowe's:

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The advantages I can see over the crimp style are:

  1. A single tool can work with multiple PEX sizes
  2. That single tool is cheaper than a single-size crimp tool (~$40 vs ~$80)
  3. The tool grabs and pinches the raised segment of the clamp, so it doesn't need to wrap around the tube which should make it easier to use in confined spaces

Has anyone used this type of ring for PEX work and have any thoughts on them?

Best Answer

The benefits of the clamps are exactly as you say - the biggest one being that they're sometimes the only option in a cramped area. They used to be over 5x the price of the rings, which adds up very quickly -- but I see now they are only slightly more expensive.

I don't think they're any less reliable than regular pex crimps, I know of some (at my cottage) that have been fine for 5+ 10+15+ years now.

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