Which pex is used with the expansion tool? Is it just Wisbro or does Zurn work?
Where can I find some? HD has Zurn. Does Lowes have the Wisbro used with exspansion fittings?
I picked up a fitting (the expansion type) this morning and the guy said he didn’t have a short piece for it. I’d have to buy 100′.
I want a short piece for the expasion type fittings.
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Replies
Wirsbo/Uponor, and Pex is available at http://www.pexsupply.com good people to work with.
Edited 2/17/2009 10:07 am ET by GRCourter
Wirsbo uses the expander. SFAIK it is NOT compatible with PEX from another manufacturer.
Lowes was carrying Watts and Zurn, but I haven't seen Wirsbo there.
I've ordered my Wirsbo from Ferguson, but their mini centers by me no longer stock much, so everything's done on a 2-3 day order.
Started using this place instead http://www.pexsupply.com/index.asp
Much easier, especially in finding an odd part. That usually had the Ferguson guy scratching his head and telling me that it didn't exist. Even when it did.
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Not true. Any PEX-A manufactured to ASTM f 876/877 should be able to use expansion fittings.whether they will WARRANTY or not... now that's another question ;)-------------------------------------
-=Northeast Radiant Technology=-
Radiant Design, Consultation, Parts Supply
http://www.NRTradiant.com
I just want a short piece to play with. The guy at Fergusons said I would have to buy 100'.
He came out with a short piece of red tubing, but when he saw the expansion type fitting he siad that tubing wouldn't work with it.
If I'm going to play with this I want the right tubing. Sometimes there is just a little difference in them but it is a difference.
I'll call them and see if they will cut off a short piece for me.
Gonna play with your battery terminal tools?
The expander leaves marks in the PEX, you turn it as you go, expanding it 3 or 4 times to get to the finished size.
You might end up with grooves in the PEX with your thingee, but it might work too..........?
I have an expander set and moved to Southern Utah where nobody sells Wirsbo. Moving again, maybe I'll get lucky this time.
Joe H
I just meassured how much pipe I'll need so I'll just buy the 100' roll. Even if I can't use the expander fittings I can still use the 1/2" pipe with crimp fittings or sharkbite.
I'll go back tomorrow.
I do play with new stuff just to see what it can do. I'd really like an expander tool, but I'm to cheap to buy one.
Maybe I can talk someone into splitting the cost? Not likely.
I am using Uponor PEX both Aquapex and hePEX on my house. To the best of my knowledge, Uponor and Rehau are the only PEX lines with the crosslinking method that allows for the memory of the tubing to provide the attachment
Thank you! I'm assuming Ferguson will put the right tubing in my hands. But I will make sure when I pick up the roll.
I went through this with sprinkler lines. HD has tubing and fittings that don't work together. I'm not sure if it was the tubing or the fittings but I had small leaks at every fitting.
I worked around it by wrapping the outside of the tubing with electrical tape before i clamped it with the hose clamp.
So I'm weary of cheaper imitations when it comes to fittings and tubing.
I like going to supply places that make sure I get the right product in my hand.
all PEX-A has "memory" you speak of. There are several brands of pex-A out there, including many of the "knockoffs" which rebrand a pex-A. some are pex-B or C though, so you'd have to check for any particular brand you are buying.-------------------------------------
-=Northeast Radiant Technology=-
Radiant Design, Consultation, Parts Supply
http://www.NRTradiant.com
"To the best of my knowledge, Uponor and Rehau are the only PEX lines with the crosslinking method that allows for the memory of the tubing to provide the attachment"
Dunno, but for the Uponor system, you do need to use their rings, which are definately X-linked and act as a crimp ring. So I'm not sure if the mfgr. of the pipe itself actually makes all that much difference.
I do know I've used big-box brand pipe with Uponor rings and fittings with no problem.
Mike HennessyPittsburgh, PA
"The guy at Fergusons...."
Proof positive that Ferguson is evil. Never do business there. Always a better alternative.
I don't know. I have to buy retail so i don't have alot of choices when it comes to this.
It's the best choice I've found in this town for me. Reail that is.
I just went to pexsupply.com and order the tubing. Saved $20 on 100'.
Edited 2/17/2009 5:32 pm ET by popawheelie
Wouldn't it be "funny" if the supply house was ordering from pexsupply and selling it to you with a markup?
Quantum materiae materietur marmota monax si marmota monax materiam possit materiari?
I don't mind supporting local businesses. I do it when I need something right away or it is something small. It adds up.
Besides, it's right by where I drop off and pick up one of my children from/to school.
I think if I was a plumber the prices would be much lower or I'd call them on it.
Edited 2/17/2009 10:22 pm ET by popawheelie
While I was in the hydronic heating business, I sold both Rehau and Wirsbo. Comparing the two is like comparing Mercedes (Rehau) to Chevrolet (Wirsbo/Uponor), in my opinion. OTOH, I sold 10 times as much Wirsbo product.
Thanks Tim. Can you tell me the difference? I just bought a 100' roll of the Wisbro aquapex.
Not a big deal but I would like to know. Also, where could I buy the Rehau online?
Aquapex is different than oxygen barrier type of pex used for heating. As far as the tubing goes, PEX-A is PEX-A, as long as the applicable standards apply.
The Pex tubing is like copper pipe, its more of a commodity than a "product". What I was refering to was the rest of the offering: the connection system, manifolds, panel systems controls, and the like. The overall product offering from Rehau was a higher quality "system" than that of Wirsbo.
When I put tubes in my garage slab, I used the Infloor brand (this was long before I had access to various brands). Compression fittings, copper and brass manifolds. Pretty basic and trouble free. IF I had to join two pieces of pex in a slab or in a concealed location, I wouldn't do it with the stretchy pex clamp Wirso uses, I would use the Rehau version. These connections required special tools and are basically permanent pressed connections of brass construction. Bullet-proof.
Thanks. I thought there was a difference between pex-a and pex-a. For instance, I've notice big differences in the plastic tubing for sprinklers from what I get at HD and garden centers.
Basically, the HD tubing/fittings leaked. The garden center ones didn't.
I really don't like working with bad/cheap product. Especially with plumbing.
Pex-A is the same as Pex-A. However it is different than PEX-B, different manufacturing process between the two and there is also a PEX-C. Engel, Silane, electron beam. Engel was developed on accident in Sweden I believe.Rehau and Wirsbo are PEX-A - others that use crimp rings are almost all "B" or "C"Try this for more info -http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cross-linked_polyethyleneWirsbo used to have the exact same fitting system as the Rehau Everloc - two step, bulletproof process. expand the tubing, insert fitting, turn tool around and pull external ring over the fitting to seat the tubing on the final groove. Uponor went away from this to just use the double layers of PEX in thier propex systemI use Uponor because my supplier (Ferguson) is waay better to deal with than the Rehau supplier (WNS)I think the quality of the materials I have used is top notch in comparison to the no-name stuff a buddy uses in his rental units. I believe Dan Holohan has written about the testing on the Uponor materials and it is quite impressive. I would have to concede that the rehau is probably the most fail-safe system out there.So are you going to buy the expander and use the stuff?
I'd like to use the expander. But I haven't bought one. I have an expander fitting and am waiting for the Pex from pexsupply.com.
I'm just trying to get this together for a few projects coming up.
Proof positive that Ferguson is evil... we deal with them ALOT but we have one sales guy at one of the small stores who can and will cut us deals...
the problem is... they will try to charge you as much as they can everytime... I hate multi level prices... they assume you are on cost plus or are from the maint. dept from some big plant... or that you just aren't spending your own money...
Furguson... has about a 150% mark-up on just about everything... and ALWAYS has to order what you need...
hate em but i deal with em...
P
It was a marriage of convenience as long as they had what I wanted in stock.But my last order of a half-dozen fittings, that they charged me $15 for the privilege of picking up at their store? Seems an odd business model to me. One I'll be happy not to assist in in the future.'Man who say it cannot be done should not interrupt man doing it' ~ Chinese proverb
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I went to Ferguson yesterday because my plumbing supply house was closed for the holiday. I needed some of that thermocell pipe insulation, (or whatever they call it). A box of 25 6' pieces cost me $212.00. Today I stopped in my plumbing supply place and picked up a box of exactly the same. Cost was $130.00. Your statement is accurate.
In my area Ferguson has been VERY competitive and priced right compared to their main competitor Western Nevada Supply. I do business with both and although not contractor pricing do get a substantial discount for our ranch accounts.You need to price shop and know what a reasonable price is on bigger ticket items. Just today had to tell the Ferguson rep that his quote for Uponor MLC tubing was way too high - he said no problem, dropped the price from $950 to $550 per 1000' roll. I thanked him and said that was more like it.That would never happen at the Blue Team - but they carry some higher quality stuff so we end up going there as well. They did cut me some slack on Panasonic vent fans and other little items.We did all our kitchen and bath through Ferguson and were very happy with the price and service on primarily Kohler fixtures. Plus they deliver for free even out here in the boonies...BTW - loved living in Ft Collins while at CSU - greatest town in America, still miss it.
Just my dig at a former employer (the Ferguson I worked for decided heating and cooling was too low margin, compared to Kohler and Jaccuzzi, et al).
Nothing wrong with Ferguson, location by location may vary. I still buy my plumbing supplies there, when I need them, but I know the folks and get a pretty good discount.
I've used HD PEX with the Uponor/Wirsbo tool with no problems. You CANNOT use non-Wirsbo fittings with the expander tho' -- the barbs aren't deep enough. You also MUST use the Wirsbo rings for any expander fitting.
Mike Hennessy
Pittsburgh, PA
I watched a Utube short on the expansion tool usage. I figure the rings are there for aditional strength and contraction around the fittings barbs.
Once you have the tool you're set.
I have looked at the fittings that use the crimp tool. They just drop right into the pipe.
With the Wisbro fittings I like the way the pipe expands and then shrinks back onto the pipe.
I also like the way the Wisbro exspansion fittings have a larger inside dia so flow is better through them.
Edited 2/17/2009 1:01 pm ET by popawheelie
Yep. Everything you said.
Mike HennessyPittsburgh, PA