SHALL 2-IN-1 Pex Crimping Clamp Cinch & Remove Tool with Pipe Hose Cutter, Pex Pipe Fitting Crimper Tool Kit for 3/8" to 1" Stainless Steel Clamps Including 20pcs 1/2", 10pcs 3/4" Clamps & Storage Bag

Why this 2‑in‑1 cinch tool has stayed in my plumbing bag

I picked up the Shall 2‑in‑1 PEX tool for a bathroom refresh and ended up using it across a handful of small repairs and add‑ons. It’s a compact clamp cincher with a built‑in clamp removal function, and the kit includes a basic ratcheting pipe cutter plus a starter assortment of stainless PEX clamps and a zippered storage bag. It’s not a pro‑grade bruiser, but it punches well above its price for DIY and light trade use.

Build and design

The tool itself is all metal, made from forged manganese steel. The jaws are cleanly machined and align squarely; there’s no slop in the pivot, and the ratcheting mechanism is positive without feeling gritty. The handle grips are a dual‑material rubber that stays put even with gloved hands. At 8.5 inches, the handles keep the tool compact enough for tight spaces—under sinks, between studs, behind toilet shutoff stubs—but that compactness is a trade‑off for leverage (more on that below).

The internal jaws have a narrow profile and a precise, wire‑EDM cut. In practical terms, that means the ear of a clamp seats consistently in the same spot and collapses evenly. The ratchet won’t release until you’ve completed a full cinch cycle, which helps prevent under‑crimps—especially handy when you’re working overhead or in an awkward position.

The kit rounds out with:
- A ratcheting PEX cutter
- 20 x 1/2 inch and 10 x 3/4 inch stainless steel clamps
- A soft storage bag

There’s no filler here—just a sensible starter set. I do suggest buying a bulk box of clamps if you’re doing anything more than a small project; 30 clamps go fast.

Setup and ergonomics

There’s no calibration to fuss with. I checked the jaw closure on a few scrap clamps out of habit; ear collapse was even, and the tool cycled smoothly out of the box. The compact handles are a double‑edged sword: fantastic in cramped spots, but you’ll need decent grip strength to fully cinch larger clamps, particularly 3/4 inch and up. On stubborn clamps (or when I was tired), I occasionally slid short pieces of pipe over the handles as temporary cheaters for extra leverage. That’s not elegant, but it worked and didn’t stress the tool.

Balance is good—the head isn’t overly heavy—and the anti‑slip grips are genuinely grippy. I never felt the tool twist out of plane during a cinch, which can happen with some cheaper ratcheting designs.

Crimping performance

I ran the tool on 1/2 inch and 3/4 inch PEX with stainless single‑ear clamp rings from a couple of different brands. The Shall cinched all of them cleanly. The ear collapsed uniformly and stopped at a consistent height; no partial crimps and no torn ears. Connections pressure‑tested without a hint of seepage.

Technique matters as much as tool quality with cinch rings, and a few habits produced the most reliable results:
- Square cuts matter. The included cutter helps (see below), but take the time to ensure the cut is perpendicular to the tubing.
- Push the tubing fully to the fitting shoulder, then mark insertion depth with a Sharpie so you can see if it backs off while you set the clamp.
- Position the clamp with a small clearance from the fitting shoulder, and orient the ear where you can access it without twisting the tool mid‑crimp.
- Keep the tool perpendicular to the ear and squeeze to the ratchet’s auto‑release.

On 1 inch clamps (I tested a couple on scrap), the tool still completed the crimp, but that’s where the short handles reach their comfort limit. If you expect to do a lot of 1 inch connections, a longer‑handle or compound‑leverage tool will be easier on your hands.

Clamp removal that actually preserves fittings

The integrated removal function is the unsung hero here. Instead of reaching for side cutters and risking a gouge in the PEX or fitting barb, you can unzip the ear and peel the ring without chewing up the plastic. I used it for a couple of quick reworks after a dry fit—no damage to the tubing or brass. The removal jaw has a secure bite and doesn’t skate off the ear, which is a big deal when you’re working near finished surfaces.

The included cutter: handy, with a small learning curve

The pipe cutter in the kit is a ratcheting, guillotine‑style design. For PEX, it’s absolutely fine. The blade arrived sharp, and with smooth, steady ratcheting, I got clean, burr‑free cuts. My first few cuts were slightly angled until I slowed down, seated the tubing flat against the backstop, and applied even pressure through the ratchet strokes. Once I focused on that technique, cuts were square and repeatable.

A couple of boundaries to keep in mind:
- It’s made for PEX and similar soft tubing. For thick‑wall PVC or very large diameters, the short handles don’t offer enough leverage, and you’re better off with a dedicated long‑handle PVC cutter or a saw.
- There’s no spare blade included. Treat the blade kindly—wipe it down after cutting gritty tubing, and don’t use it on wire or anything it’s not designed for.

Compatibility and use cases

This tool accepts common stainless single‑ear (pinch) clamps from 3/8 inch to 1 inch, and it played well with the clamps I had on hand in addition to the included assortment. If you work across different brands of PEX and clamps, that universality is useful. I also used it to cinch a couple of small single‑ear hose clamps on non‑plumbing projects; as long as the clamp ear fits within the jaw opening, it works fine.

If you’re mixing systems, note that this tool is for ear‑style clamps, not copper crimp rings. For copper ring systems you’ll want a different tool entirely.

Durability and maintenance

After a long weekend of intermittent use, the tool still cycles smoothly with no new play in the pivot or ratchet. The finish has held up; the jaws show only minor polishing where they contact clamp ears—exactly what I’d expect. The cutter’s blade stayed sharp through dozens of PEX cuts. Maintenance is straightforward:
- A drop of light oil on the pivot and ratchet pawl occasionally
- Wipe the jaws to keep grit off the precision surfaces
- Store it dry in the bag; stainless clamps resist rust, but the tool itself isn’t stainless

The soft bag keeps everything together and has enough room for extra clamps and the cutter. It’s not a hard case, but it protects the tool from getting nicked in a larger tote.

Where it excels—and where it doesn’t

What it does well:
- Produces consistent, leak‑free cinches on 3/8 to 3/4 inch clamps
- Removal function saves fittings and tubing during rework
- Compact head and short handles fit into tight spots
- Ratchet and auto‑release prevent half‑finished crimps
- Kit format gets a first‑time user everything needed to start

What to watch:
- Short handles mean you need solid hand strength, especially on 3/4 inch and 1 inch clamps
- The cutter demands a moment of care to keep cuts perfectly square
- Not the right choice for high‑volume, all‑day professional use or frequent 1 inch work

Who it’s for

If you’re a homeowner tackling a remodel, adding a line, or replacing valves, this tool hits the sweet spot. It’s also a smart spare for a tradesperson who wants a compact cincher for tight spaces without hauling a larger tool. If you’re a pro doing hundreds of cinches a week or a lot of 1 inch service, a longer‑handle or compound‑action tool will be a better ergonomic fit.

Practical tips from the field

• Keep a handful of extra clamps in common sizes; you will inevitably drop one into an unreachable void.
• Mark insertion depth on the PEX before you set the clamp.
• Orient clamp ears where you can access them with the tool head square; avoid corners that force you to angle the jaws.
• If a cinch feels unusually hard, back off and check that the ear is fully seated in the jaw pocket and that you’re not biting the band edge.

Recommendation

I recommend the Shall 2‑in‑1 PEX tool for DIYers and light‑duty users who want a reliable, compact cinch tool with a genuinely useful clamp removal feature. It delivers consistent, leak‑free connections across common sizes, fits into cramped spaces, and includes a capable cutter and starter clamps to get you going. The main trade‑off is leverage: the short handles demand more squeeze, especially on larger clamps, and that’s the one reason high‑volume users may prefer a longer‑handle model. For everyone else, this kit is a practical, well‑built package that earns its spot in the bag.