Cutting Tool

• The PEX cutting tool acts and looks like a conventional tube cutter, with one sharp blade and one blunt blade. Mark the PEX pipe at the point where you need to cut it, then place it between the tool's jaws with the sharp jaw resting against the pipe mark. With the jaws perpendicular to the pipe, squeeze the tool's handles together to make a straight, clean cut though the PEX pipe.
  
  

Crimping Tool

• PEX crimping tools have two long handles that connect to a pair of interlocking jaws made from tempered steel. With the tool's handles open, position the fitted crimp ring squarely between the tool's jaws --- the ring is positioned around the PEX pipe end, within 1/8-inch of the PEX fitting joint. Check to ensure the jaws are perpendicular to the ring and pipe, and squeeze the tool's handles together to seal the crimp ring into place.
  
  

Gauge

• The "Go/No Go" gauge has two slots into which you must attempt to push the installed crimp ring. The ring must be able to slide into the "Go" slot, but not the "No Go" slot. If the ring fails either part of the test, you must remove it from the joint and replace it.
  
  

Crimp Ring Removal Tool

• Looking similar to the PEX crimping tool, the removal tool has one sharp jaw and one flat jaw. Once you've cut the PEX fitting and attached crimp ring from the PEX pipe, open the removal tool's long handles and push the flat jaw into the end of the fitting. Bring the tool's handles together for the sharp jaw to cut through the crimp ring. Open the jaw, move the ring around 180 degrees and make a second cut to remove the ring from the fitting. If you have used the removal tool correctly, the fitting will not have sustained damaged and you can use it again.