Pex crimp fitting

[tonka]

Has anyone ever try or thought about using pex crimp fittings instead of hose clamps? Curious if one will out perform the other in sealing off the tubing and preventing any micro leaks while under vacuum.

[VT_K9]

Due to the size of the pipe and compatibility I don’t believe they will work well.

For connections on our stainless fittings we use the Band-it clamp system. We buy the band on a roll and the clamps to build our own clamps to fit different size tubing.

We have done this for the past 6 or so years and haven’t had to replace any in the woods due to leaks. If we had to do an emergency repair we would use a regular screw style clamp until we could get back with the Bandi-it.

It is a little more time, but never had a repair.

Mike

[18mile]

Could you explain which band it material and tool you use?

[VT_K9]

I use this model tool. I bought it from a different spot and mine is a different color. However, it functions the same same brand.

https://www.amazon.com/Band-It-C00169-BAND-IT-Banding-Tool/dp/B003DZ0YB4

This is the band material that I use. It is stainless steel and holds up very well.

https://www.amazon.com/C204B9-Stainless-Bright-Annealed-Finish/dp/B003DZ0YIW

This is the clamp that I use. It is also stainless steel.

https://www.amazon.com/BAND-C25499-Stainless-Ear-Lokt-Buckle/dp/B003DZ0YLE

But all the fittings I have made up so far I have used two wraps of the banding. In my research, I learned this provides a very strong uniform tight clamping fit. We bought some pipe and pipe flanges, black iron pipe, to use for jigs to make the clamps up in a warmer environment. I have made them in the cold for emergency fittings or when I forgot to put a clamp on prior to connecting the fitting to the pipe. It is nicer to make up the clamps in a warm environment.

I will caution you that using the style clamp on a plastic fitting can easily result in crushing the fitting. We have swapped all of our fittings over to stainless steel. Should I want to remove the clamp to either replace the fitting or change out the pipe I can do that by either bending the ears and unlocking the clamp or just taking a small Milwaukee M12 grinder and cutting the outside band. The clamps are reusable. Do you have any other questions? Feel free to let me know. I’m happy to take some pictures of what I’ve done a little pricey, but definitely don’t have the failure rate during tightening the the band versus stainless steel clamps.

Mike