Jadnashua
Retired Defense Industry Engineer xxx
It looks like whomever put the stops on used either some PTFE tape or pipe dope on them...neither is needed or a good idea on a compression fitting. Using PTFE tape on the threads can CAUSE a leak, not stop one on a compression fitting. Pipe dope just acts like a dust magnet and won't prevent a leak...on a tapered iron pipe thread, you need it, but not on a compression fittings straight threads as they are just there for securing things rather than sealing, more like a nut on a bolt.
PEX needs to be protected from UV light, so you may want to use a trim piece over it, but it probably won't matter if they never see direct sunlight.
If you use the stiffening insert on the PEX, and you tighten it up properly, it's no more likely to come off than doing the same thing with copper pipe...it works and there are millions of them out there.
Other than needing two wrenches to install a compression fitting (one to hold the fitting and the second one to tighten up the compression nut), I think it's easier than trying to get a crimping tool in there where you may not have a lot of room, it needs to be square and not cocked to make the connection properly. Unless you have a power tool, some of the tools take a fair amount of grip strength, more than it takes to hold a wrench in place.
Everyone has their own preferences, sometimes tempered by experience and the tools they own, but compression fittings on pex work just fine.
PEX needs to be protected from UV light, so you may want to use a trim piece over it, but it probably won't matter if they never see direct sunlight.
If you use the stiffening insert on the PEX, and you tighten it up properly, it's no more likely to come off than doing the same thing with copper pipe...it works and there are millions of them out there.
Other than needing two wrenches to install a compression fitting (one to hold the fitting and the second one to tighten up the compression nut), I think it's easier than trying to get a crimping tool in there where you may not have a lot of room, it needs to be square and not cocked to make the connection properly. Unless you have a power tool, some of the tools take a fair amount of grip strength, more than it takes to hold a wrench in place.
Everyone has their own preferences, sometimes tempered by experience and the tools they own, but compression fittings on pex work just fine.