Could use a little help this morning with M12 propex expander issue / rotation

[Rossn]

I'm reassembling some heating, before temps plunge, and am working with 1" Uponor HePEX a and an older 2432-20 M12 expansion tool with factory head. I've done a few hundred connections previously, but been a couple years since I did much 1".

1) The head only rotates about 1/3 of a rotation (two jaw pieces) over 18 expansions. In free air, it rotates about 3/4 of a turn. Is 1/3 turn over 18 expansions OK? Photo with a little grease added, below.

2) Was having expansion issues and found the PDAM guideline of 12 expansions for 1" w/ M12 wasn't correct... PDIM now says 17-18 expansions for M12 2432. I've noticed sometimes it hits the shoulder at 12 expansions, and other times at 15. Should I always go 17-18, or a certain number of expansions after it hits the shoulder? My temps may also vary today, given the heat is off.

3) If you try the fitting and it isn't quite loose enough, does Uponor allow you to add some expansions?

Current PDIM info:

 

[JohnCT]

I don't know why the tool head is rotating less in the pipe than free air, but the idea behind going a few expansions more than the point where the pipe is fully expanded to the shoulder is to reduce the line "tracking" inside the pipe to get a better seal - but of course that assumes the head is rotating properly.

I also preheat all my expansions with a heat gun (not hot but warm) as it seems to me it will stress the pipe less to expand when it's warm.

The biggest expansion head I have is 3/4, and it rotates inside the pipe the same amount as in free air. I plan to buy Zurn expansion heads for my next big project. I like their idea of interlocking sections.

 

[Sponsor]

 

[GReynolds929]

1 - I don't know that there is an issue with that. 1" PEX is significantly stiffer and the resistance on the head may be the reason. You could call Uponor and ask them.
2 - I've always had to expand 1" PEX 18-20 times, otherwise it doesn't want to go onto the fitting easily.
3 - If it doesn't want to go onto the fitting then it needs expanded more. No harm in expanding as much as needed.

 

[John Gayewski]

You can expand it as much as you need to get full insertion of the fittings. I'm almost sure the last time i read the instructions they are vauge and say to expand it until the fitting can be fully inserted.