Working With PEX: How-To and Required Tools

We don't highlihgt alot of materials or how-to instructions on Toolspotting, but Nick over at Pigeon Point Project houseblog has done such a great job outlining how to work with modern PEX plumbing--including the tools you use--that it's worth point out.

You can read Nick's full write up, including lots of photos, here. (Note: It looks like some of his photos are too wide and force everything down the page--at least in Internet Explorer--so just scroll down.)

Irwin's 48" Cast Aluminum Pipe Wrench is HUGE!

Irwin is releasing a new series of cast aluminum pipe wrenches, which offer robust strength but with 40% less weight than their cast iron counterparts. Lower weight is probalby just a minor improvement if you're like most people looking at the 10", 12", 14" and 18" models.

You know who really cares about the weight loss? This guy who needed the 48" model (yeah...that's 4 feet!).

Dude, that's a huge wrench.

Rigid Auto-Spin Drain Cleaner

Cross a drain snake with a housebroken puppy and I guess this is what you'd end up with--a cute little contraption that will unclog your average household sink drain without all the mess.

Probably adequate for small clogs, the Rigid Auto-Spin has a self-advancing cable and the whole thing operates with just a single button (or via the foot switch, so you can keep your hands free).

Let us know what you find down there...