Done with copper pipe

[makethatkerdistick]

John, I used the manual expander tool because I only had two joints I had to complete, one to the water meter coupler in my front yard, and another that connects the PEX A to my copper main trunk line inside my house.
I chose 1 1/4 in PEX for the main line, and boy was it tough to expand manually, including the rotation of the tool. This is necessary to avoid uneven grooves inside the pipe while expanding and thus prevents leaks (which your Milwaukee tool does automatically). You can get away with the manual tool for a few fittings, but if you do an entire house, the electric tool is really necessary.

[jadnashua]

You'll improve your hand strength (after you recover!) if you use a hand expander regularly...power is much nicer (and faster).

[PC7060]

I still use copper but switched over to a Ridgid ProPress system several years ago. Sometimes only hard pipe will do. I’ve attached a copy images of a 3/4” copper heat trap I recently added to an Indirect DHW system.

If I do another large project I’ll probably switch over to Uponor Pex system and get a battery expander like the OP.

[cx]

That's pretty, PC, but what do it do?

[PC7060]

The trap won’t allow the hot water to passively circulate, gets caught at the top of the loop and the cold get trapped at bottom as shown in the thermal image with the hot water coming from the right shown in red and to colder water (blue) settling out on the left side.
The previous configuration DHW line was passively circulating over a 9’ section ending where a 5’ horizontal run of pipe went up over an obstruction and then dropped back down. The hot water would rise up the pipe and along the horizontal section until it hit the section where the pipe dropped. As the hot water cooled it fell to the bottom of the horizontal section (same pipe) where it would flow back to the tank creating oversized trap that allowed a continuous circulation.

Normally hot water tanks have check valves to prevent this. I could have added a check valve instead of the heat trap but given I had the pipe and fittings on hand I went with the trap.

[mullet]

All I use is type K copper, I use a chopsaw for cuts a wheel cutter takes forever.

[PC7060]

Originally Posted by mullet

All I use is type K copper, I use a chopsaw for cuts a wheel cutter takes forever.

Agree, I use the Milwaukee 12v cutter. It's a wonder!

I see the price has gone up (like everything else).

https://www.supplyhouse.com/Milwauke...BoCKWQQAvD_BwE

[bottlefed]

Great timing on this thread,

I have dozens of M-18 tools but don't do enough showers to justify purchasing the expander.....particularly since they added 100 dollars to the price for the new style expansion heads.

However I have been slow over the winter and decided to do the master bath remodel in my house and that led me to replace all the old cast iron and galvanized. Then after going that far, I decided to replace all the 66 yr old copper as well.....so I broke down and got the tool.

I have to say the tool is the most impressive thing I have purchased since my first Fein tool.....Can't wait to get a chance to get started on the PEX!