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Cut PEX Tubing — Cut the Tubing

Beginner2 hours

Part of project

How to Cut and Crimp PEX Tubing Like a Pro · Step 2 of 6

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In this video

Using a PEX pipe cutter, make a clean, square cut on the PEX tubing at the desired length. For a smooth cut, apply pressure while slightly twisting the cutter around the pipe. This ensures the pipe is not crushed and the end is ready for a fitting.

Goal: Create a clean cut on the PEX pipe

  • Giving the cutter a slight twist as you squeeze helps to make a cleaner, more square cut.

Used in this video

  • PEX Pipe Cutter (brand: Lenox, Tool Type: Hand Tools, Power Source: Manual)Making clean, straight cuts on PEX tubing.
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FAQs

Why is using a go/no-go gauge so critical after crimping PEX, and what does it tell me?

The go/no-go gauge is essential for ensuring your crimp connection meets industry standards and is leak-proof. The 'go' side should fit over the crimp ring, and the 'no-go' side should not. This confirms your crimp is properly sized and secure, preventing costly leaks down the line.

What are the most common mistakes beginners make when crimping PEX tubing, and how can I avoid them?

Common mistakes include not cutting the tubing squarely, placing the crimp ring too far from the end of the tubing, or failing to use the go/no-go gauge. To avoid these, ensure clean, square cuts, position the crimp ring about 1/8 inch from the end of the tubing and over the barb, and always verify your crimp with the gauge.

The materials list both PEX-A and PEX-B tubing. Does the type of PEX tubing (A or B) affect how I use copper crimp rings?

While copper crimp rings primarily use barbed fittings that are compatible with PEX-B and PEX-C, they can also be used with PEX-A tubing. The crimping method itself remains the same for all PEX types when using barbed fittings and copper crimp rings, but PEX-A is also commonly used with expansion fittings.

How accurate is the 'beginner' difficulty rating for this project, and what's a realistic time estimate for a first-timer to get a good crimp?

The 'beginner' rating is accurate as the steps are straightforward once understood, but practice is key. For a first-timer, expect each connection to take 10-15 minutes initially as you get familiar with tool handling and positioning. With a few successful crimps, your speed and confidence will quickly increase.

Transcript
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All right, so how do you cut this stuff? You have a knife like this, made by Linux, and you usually will come in and then give a little bit of a twist and then it cuts right through. So we're going to actually do a connection here, we'll do a T, all the connections that

Auto-generated transcript. May contain errors.