The copper fitting is barbed, but it had some defects that needed to be rounded off. A quick bench test showed that the hose clamp would make a seal since the barbs stretch the tubing to begin with, but it does not cause the plastic to flow into the valleys. Heating the pipe with a paint stripper would help, but I am worried that would weaken the connection due to the high temperature.
The problem is that I made the 3/4 to 1/2 manifold with a 2-1/4 spacing. This leaves only about 1-1/4 between the 1/2 barrier PEX. This is too small of a space for the tool at at Men*rds.
>They do make tools for close quarters for crimp rings, buy one.
Where?
Another option is to use "Compression Fitting Connections" with a metal inner sleeve that don't need a tool. But that would require that I re-make the manifolds and valve assembly's.
http://www.pexsupply.com/Pex_tools_connection.asp
Quote- "Note: SSC connections can't be made for PEX-AL-PEX Tubing"