[Vicegrip]

Black iron pipe or black plastic tubing? Black plastic tubing is often used for irrigation.

[cmartin]

Its plastic, irrigation I assume.

[Vicegrip]

Well then please disregard the above except the pipe and tubing part. It sounded like someone has made a home made adaptation between a valve and some iron pipe.

[cmartin]

Maybe I should just do this with cpvc, I didnt realize there were so many pex options. If I go with pex for supply, whats the right homeowner solution, expansion of crimp fittings? Crimp seems to work with all pex types and I can buy a crimper kit for ~$100. Either tool seems like a PITA to use in tight spots. Also, the crimp tool requires a go/no go check telling me you need to be careful with tool calibration? Is this a concern or easier to do than read about?

[Vicegrip]

Is it cold water?

[cmartin]

Originally Posted by Vicegrip

Is it cold water?

yes, hose bibs. The underground connection will be at some point in the future, cant change out the irrigation pipe and it currently uses a similar connection as I posted previously.

I've been reading about this stuff since last night, seems the crimp pex connectors are the popular option now. Still need to tune the tool but apparently they work, assuming you can fit the tool in the work space.

[KFJ]

You can use SharkBite for Pex to avoid having to buy the pex tools. Fittings are more expensive, but since you only have a few will be less than the tools. I've never used the SharkBite stuff, but from what I've read it seems to get the job done.

[roundel]

My BIL has made some connections with Sharkbites at my house. I was nervous, but so far so good. Seems damn fast and easy compared with other solutions including soldering or crimping.

[cmartin]

I talked to the plumber working on my kitchen and thats all they use. He said they never fail and they save enough labor they make out in the end. The fittings sure arent cheap but you dont have to worry about getting all the water out of copper before it'll solder. Been there. In theory I much prefer a soldered connection but it seems like the either works now.

Just need to figure out the right hose bib and its connections.

[Vicegrip]

If the existing stuff was working well what is the worry about changing out the tubing? I thought you had black PIPE which is iron. IIRC you are on a well and likely not on the high end pressure wise.

The only issues I have seen with the O ring based fittings is the ring hardening up or deteriorating from chlorine attack. With the smaller stuff I have to deal with on counter top hot/cold/water with filter systems sometimes the 1/4' tubing will deform away from the O ring and then the fitting becomes very sensitive to being disturbed. Pull the tube out and cut off the deformation and all is better. This is a real pain in the ass as you end up with leaks. Easy to fix but leaks none the less.