PEX Installation Tools: PEXGUN Tie Tools, Uncoilers and Wire

PEX installation tools on Manu fall into three jobs: tying PEX to wire mesh or rebar, paying a coil off without kinking it, and keeping the gun fed with the right wire. The PEXGUN tools in this guide are 18-volt automatic tyers, not expansion or crimp tools. If you are hanging hydronic loops, snow-melt tubing, or plumbing PEX on mesh, the choice is which gun diameter you need, then which wire and uncoiler match the pipe.

PG-501X vs PG-101X: start with the tying diameter

Both guns are listed as 18-volt lithium-ion tools that make a wire tie in about one second, weigh less than 4.85 lb (2.2 kg), and are rated for more than 5,000 ties per battery charge. The difference that should drive the purchase is the maximum bundle they are specified to tie.

Use the PG-501X when you actually stack multiple 1/2-inch lines or need the 2-inch mouth. Use the PG-101X when you are tying single runs up to 1-inch PEX and want the current handle and extension-arm port. A tension dial matters on either tool: the listings describe it as tightening the wrap without crushing the pipe. Set it on a scrap of the same PEX before you walk a slab.

Applications named on both product pages include radiant heating and cooling, snow- and ice-melt, precast and foundation work, floors, walls, retaining walls, and swimming-pool walls. The PG-501X page also lists plumbing-system bundling. Follow the PEX manufacturer’s fastening schedule and your local code; this guide does not replace those spacing rules.

Wire: 21-gauge galvanized vs poly-coated

Every PEXGUN wire pack on Manu is 21 gauge, with about 120 ties per coil. The split is bare electro-galvanized wire versus poly-coated electro-galvanized wire.

On a cost-per-tie basis, the standard 100-coil pack is the cheap way to feed a busy gun (about 4.3 cents a tie at the current price). Poly-coated packs cost more per tie; buy them when the job calls for a coated wrap, not because they make more ties. Both styles are listed as PEXGUN wire, so stay with this 21-gauge coil rather than a generic rebar-tier spool unless the tool maker says otherwise.

Paying off the coil: the Uncoiler Pro

The PEX Uncoiler Pro ($1,949.99) is a dedicated reel, not a gun accessory. The listing specifies:

• Adjustable inside coil rods at 13", 15", and 17" inside diameters, to fit more than one pipe maker’s coil
• Capacity up to a 1" × 500' PEX coil
• A reel that tilts between vertical and horizontal and rotates 90 degrees to pass through a doorway
• Tension control to set drag and limit backlash
• A locking pin for coil position, large handle nuts to pull the top reel, industrial rubber tires, and a reinforced frame
• ASTM A513 steel tube; the page states it is made in the USA

If you only occasionally roll a 1/2-inch coil across a small room, a simple uncoiling stand may be enough. The Pro earns its price when you change coil brands (the three rod diameters), move between rooms, or run 1-inch pipe in 500-foot lengths that will fight a light reel.

Extension arm, spare battery and holster

The PEXGUN extension arm ($249.99) is a lightweight aluminum arm that attaches to the gun so you can tie to mesh without kneeling. The PG-101X listing specifically mentions a new electronic port for this arm. The PG-501X listing refers to an optional extension bar as a way to reduce bending. If you already own an older gun, confirm the port on your tool before you order the arm.

A spare 18V lithium-ion battery ($141.98) is listed for both the PG-101X and the PG-501X, with the same “over 5,000 wire ties” figure as the guns. The PG-501X kit already includes two batteries; a third pack is mainly for all-day slab work. The PEXGUN holster ($34.98) is double-lined ballistic nylon, made for this gun, and listed as usable on the left or right side.

Safety on the slab

These are battery tools with a cutting and feeding mechanism. Keep fingers out of the tying head, disconnect the battery before you clear a jam or change wire, and use the tension setting so the wrap does not bite into the PEX. The extension arm is there so you are not bent over mesh all day; it does not make the tool safe to use from a ladder or on a live electrical circuit. PEX tied to rebar still has to be protected where it passes through slabs and against abrasion, per the pipe maker and the authority having jurisdiction. Wear eye protection when you cut wire tails.

FAQ

Is a PEXGUN a crimp or expansion tool?

No. The PG-501X and PG-101X automatically wrap 21-gauge wire around PEX and mesh. They do not make ASTM F1807 crimp, F1960 expansion, or clamp connections. You still need the fitting tool your pipe system specifies.

Which gun do I need for 1-inch PEX?

The PG-101X listing says it is suitable for up to 1-inch PEX, with a 1-1/2-inch maximum tying diameter. The PG-501X has a larger 2-inch mouth and is the one described for bundling several 1/2-inch lines. If you only ever tie single 1-inch runs, the PG-101X is the closer match.

How much wire should I buy with the gun?

The PG-501X kit already includes two coils. A 10-coil standard pack is 1,200 ties; a 50-coil pack is 6,000; a 100-coil pack is 12,000. At about 120 ties per coil, one coil is a short room, not a full slab.

What is the return policy?

Returns are accepted within 30 calendar days of delivery. Manu does not charge a restocking fee. For a change-of-mind or other customer-initiated return, you pay return shipping. If the item is wrong, defective, or damaged because of an error, different return-shipping terms apply under the Refund Policy. For questions, contact Manu in San Antonio, TX 78253.