[NormoRoy]

I am building a new home and have decided to run Wirsbo heating pex tubing with an aluminum oxygen barrier to my panel radiators. After running all the water supply line using Pex I was very impressed as to how fast and easy the whole process was. I purchased a tool which clamps a copper ring around the pex tubing and attach it to a brass coupling, T, elbow, whatever the fitting may be. No big deal. Real easy real simple.

I figured I would us the same tool to make my heat pipe connect. Now I am being told I need a different tool because the pex tubing is slightly different then aquatic pex tubing. This new tool expands the tubing and as the tubing returns to its original shape it seals itself on the barbs of the brass fitting. This new tool starts at 300.00 and goes up from there. They did have an alternative. They mentioned I could use a fitting called a Shark bite.

Are these guys just trying to sell me a new tool? Will a shark bite work? Can I use the tool I already own, which collapse a copper (maybe brass I don’t know) around the tubing?

Thank you for your help!
Norm

[NorthernHeat]

I would listen to them, that is why HVAC service is so expensive, we have a lot of mony wrapped up in the right tools for the job.

I haven't heard good or bad about the shark bite connectors.

[NormoRoy]

Thank you!