PEX crimping 2

[OperaHouse]

I'm usually om the electrical threads but I have a question on PEX crimping. I have been unable to make a water tight copper ring PEC crimp on 1/2 inch tubing. Went cheap and bought the vice grip pocket tool. Today I measured the go gauge .718 inches and the tool measures .722 fully closed. That implies that I can never get a proper crimp. Searched ASTM F1807 but not a hint of what the spec is without paying for it. Is either the tool or gauge right? Trying to install a heat pump on the water heater and the wife is waiting to do laundry. Thanks for any help.

 

[rconner]

You might get quick answer here, but there is also a plumbing engineering forum at

http://eng-tips.com/threadminder.cfm?pid=678

(sounds though like elements or tool is not mated corectly).

 

[badservo]

I have no clue on the standard but my go guage measures .715 and the closed tool measure .690 to .700 for the 1/2 PEX

 

[rconner]

Sounds like you could have a crimp tool made for thicker wall plastic pipe (while you may know this don't know that you should connect plastic pipe directly to hot water heater either - might also do best with a section of metal pipe attached to the tank?)

 

[1gibson]

Put a few layers of aluminum foil inside the crimp tool (or wrap around the pipe) to act as shims until it seals, then figure out why you had to do that later?

 

[moltenmetal]

It really isn't rocket science. Pad the tool out so it crimps tighter. Buy the right tool later.

 

[OperaHouse]

Looks like my reply the other day never got posted. I wrapped a .030 wire around the top and bottom of the die. That gave a squared off crimp that worked pretty well. Clearly the die was manufactured off center and will be shipped back. Thanks for verifying what the correct dimensions should be.

 

[1gibson]

I remember seeing that reply so it was definitely there at some point. Maybe someone found the word "bottom" too suggestive, and the word "die" too violent, and red flagged the post?