Hey Red,
Once you've done a few crimps, and feel confident, then the gauge is not necessary. Just refer back to the few that you did while you had the gauge in hand if you're worried.
Just remember to fully enclose the ring when crimping and make sure that the ring is ~ 1/8" from the end of the pipe and the pipe is fully pushed onto the fitting. And one last suggestion is to mark each fitting with a check mark, (or some other symbol) just so you know which ones you've done.
I've been told the reason for the class action lawsuits regarding poly in the 80's was due to the fact that the ridges on the fittings were not raised enough (or something like that), so eventually they would blow apart. I don't believe that the pex manufacturers would make the same mistake, esp considering the litigious society we live in today.
Don't worry, you'll be fine.
P.S. - Aren't you up past your bed time?
Once you've done a few crimps, and feel confident, then the gauge is not necessary. Just refer back to the few that you did while you had the gauge in hand if you're worried.
Just remember to fully enclose the ring when crimping and make sure that the ring is ~ 1/8" from the end of the pipe and the pipe is fully pushed onto the fitting. And one last suggestion is to mark each fitting with a check mark, (or some other symbol) just so you know which ones you've done.
I've been told the reason for the class action lawsuits regarding poly in the 80's was due to the fact that the ridges on the fittings were not raised enough (or something like that), so eventually they would blow apart. I don't believe that the pex manufacturers would make the same mistake, esp considering the litigious society we live in today.
Don't worry, you'll be fine.
P.S. - Aren't you up past your bed time?
