How to Make a PEX Crimping Tool

Making a PEX crimping tool may sound daunting and hard to do however it can be done easily and used if you do not have a regular PEX crimping tool handy for the job. Here are a few tools and steps that can help you through the process.

Step 1 - Make Crimping Tool

The first thing that you are going to want to do is make your crimping tool. You can start out with either a large pair of pliers or you can use garden cutters. Either way you need to make sure that the handles are big enough for you to be able to clamp down hard on.

Then, use wires as a way to make the crimp part in the crimping tool. You can begin on one end of one of the blades or metal pieces and start with just one of them. Then in a few different spots you will want to wrap the wire around the tool to make a tooth like shape.

Then move on a centimeter or so and then do it again until the end. On a bigger one you will probably be able to do about 2 or 3 teeth on each side.

Once you have finished with one side of the metal you can move to the other side and then wrap the wire around the metal on that side but in between where you made them on the other piece.

So when you squeeze the tool together hard you can see that the teeth fit into each other. Use the hot glue gun to secure the teeth in place and let sit.

Step 2 - Metal Rings

You will need to purchase several metal rings in different sizes that are thick in width but are thin enough in weight and size that they can be crimped by the crimping tool and held.

You will want to make sure that you get several different sizes so that they can go around what you are trying to secure without having too much excess room and that they are secure.

Step 3 - Test It Out Together

Now that it is made and ready to go you can test out the crimping tool. Just wrap the metal ring around the PEX tubing and then use your new home made crimper to tighten the grasp on it.

While this does not work as well as an actual crimping tool and the measurements aren't as exact, it can help you with the general function of the crimping tool if you are in a tight spot and do not have one on hand.

You will want to make sure that you are wearing both safety gloves and goggles when you are operating this tool as if it is any other tool to make sure that you do not get harmed at all.