I've used both copper crimps and stainless steel cinch clamps over the years, and honestly, I lean toward the cinch clamps these days. Copper rings are solid, no doubt, but I've had a couple instances where space was tight under sinks or behind appliances, and getting the crimp tool positioned just right was a pain. With the stainless cinch clamps, you only need one tool size for all fittings, which simplifies things quite a bit.
Funny story—had a tenant call me once about a slow leak under their kitchen sink. Turns out I'd done a copper crimp connection there years earlier, and it had slowly loosened up (probably my fault, to be fair). Switched it out for a stainless clamp, and it's been dry ever since. Not saying copper crimps aren't reliable—they definitely are—but in awkward spots or if you're not doing plumbing regularly, cinch clamps might save you some headaches down the road.
Just my two cents from dealing with plenty of plumbing mishaps over the years...
Totally agree on the cinch clamps being easier in tight spaces. I've had my share of awkward under-sink battles too, and those copper crimps can really test your patience when there's barely room to move your elbows. One thing I'd add though—if you're going with stainless cinch clamps, make sure you're using a quality tool and clamps from a reputable brand. I've seen some cheaper clamps fail prematurely or not tighten evenly, causing leaks down the line.
Also, don't overlook checking the pipe ends carefully before clamping. Even a tiny nick or burr on the pipe can cause sealing issues later on. I usually run my finger around the pipe edge first, then give it a quick sanding if needed. Takes just a second but saves headaches later.
Funny you mentioned the slow leak story...had a similar call once where the homeowner tried DIY with copper crimps and didn't crimp fully. It held for months before finally dripping enough to notice. Swapped it out for a stainless clamp, and problem solved. DIY plumbing is totally doable, but attention to detail matters big time.
"Even a tiny nick or burr on the pipe can cause sealing issues later on."
Couldn't agree more about checking pipe ends. Reminds me of a kitchen sink job I tackled last year—thought I had everything perfect, clamps tightened just right, but still ended up with this annoying slow drip. Drove me nuts for days until I finally pulled it apart again and found this tiny burr I missed. Felt pretty silly after sanding it smooth and seeing the leak disappear instantly.
Also, totally second your point about quality cinch clamps. Learned that lesson the hard way when I grabbed some cheap ones from the hardware store thinking I'd save a few bucks. Ended up having to redo half the connections because they just wouldn't tighten evenly. Now I stick to reputable brands only—worth every penny in saved frustration.
DIY plumbing can definitely be rewarding, but man...those little details really make or break the job.
I'm about to tackle my first kitchen sink repair this weekend, and now I'm a bit nervous after reading this thread. 😅
"Ended up having to redo half the connections because they just wouldn't tighten evenly."
This makes me wonder—how can you tell if clamps are good quality before buying? Is it just brand reputation, or are there specific things to look for? Definitely don't want to redo everything twice...
Totally get your worry about clamps—I learned the hard way that cheap clamps are a nightmare. Honestly, brand reputation isn't everything. Check the clamp bands themselves: thicker metal usually means less chance they'll warp or strip. Also, avoid anything with rough edges or flimsy screws. Trust me, spending a few extra bucks upfront beats crawling under the sink twice in one weekend...
