JohnDar
Prolifically Gabby Member
OK, I've finally found the tool to remove the stainless steel cinch rings. It is not a TILE nipper, it is a 10" CONCRETE Nipper, found at Lowe's in the Tool Dept., not the floor tile area. Looking again at Alan's home video, I can see that is what he used, as well. The TILE nipper jaws to not fully close, where as the CONCRETE nippers do. Got a pair this morning, tried them on one of the fittings I had removed that still had the cinch rings on it, and VOILA, I got it cut off.
If you're replacing fittings using the copper rings, there is a tool for cutting them off and splitting the PEX remnant so you can remove it, if you want to reuse the fitting. But if you're reusing the original plastic fitting, the tool will not work with them. Only the brass ones. The inner diameter of the plastic fittings is smaller than that of the brass ones.
Moral of the story: if you're making repairs to the PEX connections, toss the plastic and replace with brass. I now have a tool box dedicated to PEX/plumbing repairs.
If you're replacing fittings using the copper rings, there is a tool for cutting them off and splitting the PEX remnant so you can remove it, if you want to reuse the fitting. But if you're reusing the original plastic fitting, the tool will not work with them. Only the brass ones. The inner diameter of the plastic fittings is smaller than that of the brass ones.
Moral of the story: if you're making repairs to the PEX connections, toss the plastic and replace with brass. I now have a tool box dedicated to PEX/plumbing repairs.