When I was gutting/rebuilding my kitchen years ago, I had an unexpected water leak. I’d driven a screw into a PEX line while installing cabinet bases (I missed installing one cover plate before I drywalled). I’d done most of the plumbing myself, but didn’t have the PEX expander tool you mention, just because they’re so expensive.

I called my plumber late in the day and he stopped by on the way home from another gig. He didn’t have the tool on him, so instead he spent about 15 minutes forcing the handle of a socket wrench into the PEX so he could manually cram in a connector. It was remarkable, like watching someone tear a phone book in half. PEX is tough as hell.