Re: [A/S] Polybutylene water lines repair

["Mr. Joy H. Hansen" <joytbrew@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

Skip,

The local plumbing shop in my area will rent the compression tool for $15 a
day.  Sure seems best to use a tool that's sized and made for the job.  The
force required to properly size the compression ring is substantial.  I
double that a vice-grip could do the job properly.  Ask your local plumbing
shop for a demonstration of both tools.

I used some quest type fittings for my water heater that have a brass nipple
as part of the fitting.  The nipple connecting to the water heater tank MUST
be brass!  PEX tubing works just fine in the quest type compression fitting.
The ID of the quest tube must be a bit larger as I can't use quest fittings
inside the PEX.  Apparently, the ODs are identical.

There is a cheapy tool like made for flare fitting that will compress the
rings.  It's cost was about $50 and I opted to purchase the more expensive
tool.  This tool has tremendous leverage and sizes the compression ring
properly.  A gauge is supplied for proof of the sizing.  I figure that I'll
have need for the tool for another restoration and/or repair of my Safari.

Guess this doesn't get to the ball game via the cheapest means.  However, a
makeshift tool might have you repeating the installation over, and over, and
over .  .  .

                                                 '69 Safari, Joy