Heavy Duty PEX Ratchet Clamp & Cutting Tool

The tool did a good job installing clamps in most locations. It is designed for typical 16 inch on center stud or joist openings. The overbuilt house I am renovating has joists on 12 inch centers. The length of the handles keeps the tool from opening enough to engage the clamp. I was able to work around this by adjusting the clamp location so I could tilt the tool to have handles below the joists to begin. Then at the first ratchet click I adjusted the handles up between the joists so the crimp would be square with the fitting. The first attempt was not square, and I cut out the PEX to remove the fitting. With the fitting on the bench, i adjusted the tool from crimp to cut, and attempted to cut off the clamp. The tool failed to cut the clamp. I removed the tool, and checked that the jaws touched when the handles were closed, which they did. It appears that the tool joints flex enough to keep the jaws from cutting through the crimp when the handles are fully closed. Since I had the fitting on the bench, I could use the tool to hold the clamp, use a screwdriver to lift the edge of the perforated band, and then pliers to disconnect the band from the raised teeth on the inner band.

This doesn't ratchet like you'd expect from a ratchet tool. It sort of clicks as you tighten a clamp ring. It locks itself in that position with each click down. Unable to open handles and push again. So, in essence, all it does is hold your place. You either keep going to finish or you push on a little lever on the handles to release completely. For 1/2 and 3/4, works fine. For 1, considerable force is certainly required. The problem is when you must work at an odd angle to get the tool to reach a fitting. Maybe the tool fits fine, but your body can't get in a good position for leverage. This tool will make you work hard to close a 1" clamp. The handles are thin. If your hands are used to applying a lot of force, good for you. If you're not, these handles may hurt. I felt like I had an arthritis flare-up after two 1" fittings. Not something I could tolerate or use. Even a stronger person who works with hands all day long with stuff, heavy stuff, and all that on a ranch struggled to use this tool on 1". If your hands aren't used to this stuff, forget this tool on 1". If it actually did ratchet (like my Corona ratcheting pruner tool), going through 1" would be no problem. It doesn't. I see a one hand tool option that looks like it might do that. The handles always seem to stay open. Could not figure out how to keep them closed for more efficient storage. The cutter was worthless to us since it didn't work. We couldn't apply enough force to make it work. We used a grinder for a couple clamps that failed. Doesn't ratchet like I expected it to. Works fine on 1/2 to 3/4. For 1", NOT recommended at all. Handles are thin so all your force is pushing on thin lines on your hands. That's very unpleasant and painful for anyone with inflammation, arthritis, and related. For 1", unbearable. Very stiff release lever. Had to use a screwdriver for leverage to get handles to release when cut unable to complete.