Pex A Elbow

[GCC]

Hi all,

I've used Pex A before and have liked it. I've always tried to stay with the same brand. or one shower I was able to use all Uponor. For another I used all Apollo.

I need 1/2" Pex A x 1/2" FNPT Elbow for a shower valve. I can't seem to find one other than ones with a plastic FNPT side. I don't want to have the metal threads of the valve body crack the plastic FNPT end, cause I know me and that will happen. I can't find Uponor, Sioux Chief, Sharkbite, or any by familiar brands. Amazon has some by Efield and by Xfitting. Which is better - or - other options?

Also - am I being paranoid or does it matter if fittings match the Pex A pipe? I would assume things are standardized, no? If I have a fitting that is PEX A by Uponor, could I use Apollo or Sharkbite Pex A Pipe? Or do fittings have to match the pipe manufacturer?

Thanks,
Greg

 

[JohnCT]

Hi all,

I've used Pex A before and have liked it. I've always tried to stay with the same brand. or one shower I was able to use all Uponor. For another I used all Apollo.

I need 1/2" Pex A x 1/2" FNPT Elbow for a shower valve. I can't seem to find one other than ones with a plastic FNPT side. I don't want to have the metal threads of the valve body crack the plastic FNPT end, cause I know me and that will happen. I can't find Uponor, Sioux Chief, Sharkbite, or any by familiar brands. Amazon has some by Efield and by Xfitting. Which is better - or - other options?

Also - am I being paranoid or does it matter if fittings match the Pex A pipe? I would assume things are standardized, no? If I have a fitting that is PEX A by Uponor, could I use Apollo or Sharkbite Pex A Pipe? Or do fittings have to match the pipe manufacturer?

Thanks,
Greg

Feel free to mix brands - all PEX and fittings available in the states is based on SDR and ASTM standards.

The only thing I would avoid is using pipes and fittings from brands with which I not familiar.

John

 

[Sponsor]

 

[Jeff H Young]

heck no dont screw a female plastic 90 on the shower valve screw a brass 90 if you must but no platstic female threads especially burried in a wall

 

[GCC]

Agreed - just having a hard time finding a brass one. Might be able to find one I can sweat on - but if those two above are decent brands, I’d rather do that. Anyone ever hear of them? Efield or Xfitting?

 

[Reach4]

Hi all,


I need 1/2" Pex A x 1/2" FNPT Elbow for a shower valve. I can't seem to find one other than ones with a plastic FNPT side. I don't want to have the metal threads of the valve body crack the plastic FNPT end, cause I know me and that will happen. I can't find Uponor, Sioux Chief, Sharkbite, or any by familiar brands. Amazon has some by Efield and by Xfitting. Which is better - or - other options?


Thanks,
Greg

If you don't mind ears, see https://www.supplyhouse.com/Wirsbo-Uponor-LF4235050-ProPEX-LF-Drop-Ear-Brass-Elbow-1-2-PEX-x-1-2-FIP

The Plumber's Choice 1/2 in. x 1/2 in. PEX A x FIP Expansion Pex Drop Ear Elbow, Lead Free Brass 90° for Use in Pex A-Tubing XQEM0012-OM - The Home Depot

Introducing the Ear Elbow Expansion F1960 PEX x FIP Fitting, Lead-Free - a versatile and reliable solution for plumbing projects. This high-quality fitting ensures a secure connection between the tubing

www.homedepot.com

Apollo 1/2 in. Brass PEX-A Expansion Barb x 1/2 in. Female Pipe Thread Adapter 90-Degree Drop-Ear Elbow EPXDEE12 - The Home Depot

The Apollo ExpansionPEX 1/2 in. Brass PEX-A Barb x 1/2 in. Female Pipe Thread Adapter 90 Drop-Ear Elbow is simple to install and is designed for the installation of tub and shower outlets in most applications.

www.homedepot.com

 

[GCC]

I thought about the drop elbow ….I just wasn’t sure if the mounting tabs would get in the way anything. I suppose I could grind them off....Just not sure why it is so hard to find these things. I feel better about the brands you sent than the other two on Amazon I had never heard of. The Efield seems like it has higher reviews than the other....Might be tempted to pull out the grinder and grind off the tabs than go that way though. The Delta valve as MNPT and Sweat connections. I'd rather not sweat them..I've done a few connections with sweating before, but...the threaded seems easier for this. I'll keep looking I guess....It's just weird that these aren't available.

 

[GReynolds929]

Like @Jeff H Young said, I'd use a male adapter and a brass 90. Or you could use a brass coupling a male adapter and pex 90.

 

[John Gayewski]

We usually go fnptxpex adapter then pex 90 down. A lot of times you'll have to drill through a stud, but it almost always works out fine.

If there isn't room I would sweat it depending on the space available.

 

[Jeff H Young]

I dont work in pex much but just better fitting choices available like many differant ways around it just dont use plastic females for the connections

 

[Sarg]

Here's a page full.

https://www.supplyhouse.com/sh/control/search/~SEARCH_STRING=1/2%22%20Pex%20A%20x%201/2%22%20FNPT%20Elbow

 

[GCC]

Ohhh..a brass 90…missed that. That’s a good idea. I only have maybe 2 - 3 inches of space between the valve and the stud if I want the valve centered in the shower - so I need to 90 right out of the valve. There is a niche on the other side of the stud. Can’t find the fnpt x pex A 90 fitting to connect to the male connection coming off the valve, but maybe a brass one could work and then just use a straight fitting coming off that down. That makes sense. The fewer connections the better I think, but in the case, that’s a good idea.

Here's a page full.

https://www.supplyhouse.com/sh/control/search/~SEARCH_STRING=1/2%22%20Pex%20A%20x%201/2%22%20FNPT%20Elbow

View attachment 100249

those aren’t Pex A.

I also may just sweat the pex A 90 on. That would be one less connection to leak. I dunno. Thanks for the help guys!

 

[Reach4]

Here's a page full.

https://www.supplyhouse.com/sh/control/search/~SEARCH_STRING=1/2%22%20Pex%20A%20x%201/2%22%20FNPT%20Elbow

View attachment 100249

Those are not for F1960/expansion/"PEX A"

While you can attach PEX A to those, you cannot use the expansion type; you need to use rings or clamps with the associated tool.

 

[Coloradobeeguy]

Agreed - just having a hard time finding a brass one. Might be able to find one I can sweat on - but if those two above are decent brands, I’d rather do that. Anyone ever hear of them? Efield or Xfitting?

I've seen Xfitting on Amazon but don't see much about them online. I'm curious too and wondering if they're from the China region. I avoid using them.

 

[Coloradobeeguy]

I've seen Xfitting on Amazon but don't see much about them online. I'm curious too and wondering if they're from the China region. I avoid using them.

I would also just spend the extra few bucks and avoid the mysterious "Xfitting" components.