Hey guys I would like your honest opinion about an idea I am developing: hoses.
Different than tube, hoses use permanent fittings. Obviously hoses are more suited to industrial applications, so for our use it's more about the look. So I sheathed these two models in Stainless Steel Braid and Close-Weave Techflex. I used generic stainless ferrules and BitsPower swivel barb fittings. The inner tube is Tygon R-3606 3/8"ID-1/2" OD. Final product will use braided tube with the braid permanently bonded to the tube: not sheathing. Any Metallic Braid will be coated and nonconductive and isolated from the fittings. Final crimped ends will be smaller and neater and available in colors. Carbon-Fiber-Look braid and different styles or colors of mettalic braid are possible. The Swivel Fitting will be proprietary (not BP) and match the profile of the tube OD/ferrule. The final hose assembly will have a swivel one end only.
I am going for an aircraft/racecar look. Something with a slim profile (unlike Compression Fitting) and an industrial appearance.
So to reiterate the questions in the poll above...
Would you use/try out/buy lines similar to those depicted (final product is nicer and neater)?
Would you pay $10-$15-$20-$25 for a 20CM stainless braid line with permanent G-1/4 Malel Swivel fittings?
Which do you like best the stainless steel or the black?
Do you like or dislike the idea of a permanent swivel fitting on the tube?
Do you like or dislike the idea of braid over tubing?
If the finished hoses were available in a range of lengths from 10CM to 30CM in 5CM increments would these 5 lengths be an adequate range for most PC LC Loops?
Thanks in advance for your input.
Please feel free to post up your reactions and suggestions.
They look pretty cool CD. The only issue I can see is getting the right lengths. I would suggest offering the sheathing, and fittings as a kit. What are you using to crimp the fittings to the tube? That way people can custom cut the tubing and not have to worry about having the correct measurements.
tbh, i'm not a huge fan of those metal things sticking out... they kind of kill the look of the compresson fittings. and for me, the metallic braiding would need some contrast -- it would probably look pretty nice in a dark(black) case with other silver highlights.
I like the look of the braided hoses and I'm sure they would be much more reliable. Especially if the hose itself is stranded(braided).
I have a couple of concerns though. Or things that might prevent me from using it.
1) What kind of bending radius would these hoses have? I know there are fittings, much more expensive fittings, out there to overcome the bending problem.
2) Being fixed length. A person better be correct when ordering a length. With Masterkleer one can just cut to length.
I'm getting ready to expand my loop. I will be able to just cut some more pieces of tubing.
The cost is high but I MIGHT be willing to spend it for the look. I definately like the metal braid look. Since you mentioned cars, annodized fittings and braid would look really cool.
I wouldn't want to add aluminum to my loop but it would look great.
When I was setting up my loop, I was actually thinking of just using 1/2" steel tubing. If I find fittings I might still do that.
The hose could be cut to any length. You just need to know how long to cut the hose before the fittings are added. Not sure what that would do to the price, he would have to charge though, as custom length hoses would take longer to make.
The hose could be cut to any length. You just need to know how long to cut the hose before the fittings are added. Not sure what that would do to the price, he would have to charge though, as custom length hoses would take longer to make.
I was referring to diameter sizes, i.e. 1/2 3/4
edit: Take a look at the specs in the OP pic. He seems he is using Tygon 3603 3/8-1/2 tubing and sheathing that.
I am a little indecisive. I like the look though. How long have you been working on this? Looks great btw
Any plans for angled ends? like the 45 and 90 degrees
Koolance makes a nice small form factor 45 degree swivel that would accomplish the task. Not sure about permanent 45 or 90 degree fittings but it's a possibility.
Quote:
Originally Posted by millertime359
They look pretty cool CD. The only issue I can see is getting the right lengths. I would suggest offering the sheathing, and fittings as a kit. What are you using to crimp the fittings to the tube? That way people can custom cut the tubing and not have to worry about having the correct measurements.
edit: Could you offer it in other size tubing?
The ID of a typical G-1/4 fitting is only .31 or thereabouts...so gains from any tubing larger than that ID are minimal. I know there is a great fondness for 1/2 ID tube...but I am not sure what IDs would be offered with any finished product other than 3/8.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Chruschef
tbh, i'm not a huge fan of those metal things sticking out... they kind of kill the look of the compresson fittings. and for me, the metallic braiding would need some contrast -- it would probably look pretty nice in a dark(black) case with other silver highlights.
I'd like to use these in my "Inappropriate Content" mod which is black with silver accents
Quote:
Originally Posted by surfhick
I like the look of the braided hoses and I'm sure they would be much more reliable. Especially if the hose itself is stranded(braided).
I have a couple of concerns though. Or things that might prevent me from using it.
1) What kind of bending radius would these hoses have? I know there are fittings, much more expensive fittings, out there to overcome the bending problem.
2) Being fixed length. A person better be correct when ordering a length. With Masterkleer one can just cut to length.
I'm getting ready to expand my loop. I will be able to just cut some more pieces of tubing.
The cost is high but I MIGHT be willing to spend it for the look. I definately like the metal braid look. Since you mentioned cars, annodized fittings and braid would look really cool.
I wouldn't want to add aluminum to my loop but it would look great.
When I was setting up my loop, I was actually thinking of just using 1/2" steel tubing. If I find fittings I might still do that.
How much is a swedge?
Bend radius should be better than unreinforced tube of a simlar dimension: that's one of the benefits of overmolded braided tube. I realize length might be an issue which is why I added that question to the poll. I feel that 5CM jumps would be enough but I could be wrong. Hence the poll. I used an inexpensive hose crimper (about $40) but the results are less than stunning. A Proper hose crimper is quite expensive (hydraulic unit without power starts around $1000).
Quote:
Originally Posted by eponymous
I like the look of the black ones
I think the black would look good in more of a carbon fiber finish...with a little clear over it.
What about offering people to send you their tubing. They could do the measurements and cuts on their own. They would know it fits then, and they could send you the tubing and let you sheath it for them.
I know tubing size doesn't matter much as far as performance goes, but some people like the look of the thicker tubes, so figured I would ask.
Oh I am completely open to doing this to order but it still takes a fair amount of invesment. Even if I use commonly available bonded braid low psi tubing it only comes in bulk and is pretty high. And I would still need to have fittings made up as BP is insanely expensive even if I bought in bulk.
I am guessing that those metal pieces on the ends act like heat shrink on braided sleeving for wires, right? But how about painting them black? That might look better. Also - if you could chrome them to match those BP compression fittings on the ends (I know it's expensive), but I think it would look pretty sweet as well.
I am guessing that those metal pieces on the ends act like heat shrink on braided sleeving for wires, right? But how about painting them black? That might look better. Also - if you could chrome them to match those BP compression fittings on the ends (I know it's expensive), but I think it would look pretty sweet as well.
Chrome would flake during swaging and they couldn't be chromed after swaging.
__________________
i7 920 BATCH 3838B079 4.2GHZ on 1.312v HT on
FOXCONN BLOODRAGE
6G CORSAIR Dominator TR3X6G1600C8D
2x 60GB SSD in raid 0 and 1x 120GB Titan SSD on ICH10R
1x GTX 285 w/ heavily ported AquagraFX fc block
ULTRA X3 1000w
Windows 7 64bit Build 7600 on the raid array
SWIFTECH GTZ
2x DDC3.2 EK tops
2x PA120.3
WESTINGHOUSE LVM-37w3 Donate to XtremeSystems
Seems like you could get a similar effect by using cable sleeving and compression fittings.
Almost. If I can find a way to bond sleeving to tube...when you bend the tube the sleeving gets baggy and distorted...unless bonded to the outer wall of the tube.
Quote:
Originally Posted by eth0s
Nice work CD!
I am guessing that those metal pieces on the ends act like heat shrink on braided sleeving for wires, right? But how about painting them black? That might look better. Also - if you could chrome them to match those BP compression fittings on the ends (I know it's expensive), but I think it would look pretty sweet as well.
I am thinking that gluing the ferrules in place might work because the max PSI of a PC loop is maybe 6PSI and usally far lower. This would allow for powdercoated ferrules and eliminate the expense of a hydraulic hose crimper.
Quote:
Originally Posted by dengyong
Chrome would flake during swaging and the couldn't be chromed after swaging.
True. A hard anodized coating on aluminum might hold up...but more likely would show some work marks. No way to know without testing.
.:My Workstation::Sorta Done:.
.:Intel E4300@3ghz(375*8):2gb G.Skill HZ 6400@500mhz:Sapphire X1950pro:Gigabyte GA-G33M-DS2R:550w FSP Blue Storm:80gb and 160gb WD SATA2:Cheap MATX Case:.
.:Panasonic Toughbook CF-T2:.
.:Pentium M 753 (900mhz ULV):256MB:40GB:12.1" Touchscreen:. .:Not too shabby for a 2.4lbs of pwn:.
I've been using Intel ever since AMD put an end to my socket A fun. I was almost going to go back when I saw the cheap AM2 chips, but they suck Viva La Chipzilla!
Wonder how good it would look if you used some black sleeving that would show the tubing underneath, and use UV orange / UV red tubing. That way, you could go for the murder look, or add UV and get that effect also.
__________________
Asus P5Q-Delux, Q6600 @ 3.7
2x 120.2PA Thermochill
MM H2GO
EVGA GTX 260
OCZ vertex 60g w/Win 7 Pro
Corsair 850HX
NEC 20wmgx2
Would'nt the stainless ones be electrically conductive?? Could be a tad risky around circuit boards! On the plus side though, they do look the BIZZ!
And I'm sure I've seen some black and silver tubing braid out there, that kind of looks like carbon fibre/kevlar. That would look awesome with either silver, or dark chromed fittings!!
Also, I think that some available lengths greater than 30cm would be appreciated by the masses, I, for one have 2 lengths of hose in my setup longer than 30cm.
Maybe offer 45cm and down, in 5cm increments?!
Last edited by heinz357; 09-28-2009 at 04:03 PM.
Reason: c**kups
Would'nt the stainless ones be electrically conductive?? Could be a tad risky around circuit boards! On the plus side though, they do look the BIZZ!
And I'm sure I've seen some black and silver tubing braid out there, that kind of looks like carbon fibre/kevlar. That would look awesome with either silver, or dark chromed fittings!!
Also, I think that some available lengths greater than 30cm would be appreciated by the masses, I, for one have 2 lengths of hose in my setup longer than 30cm.
Maybe offer 45cm and down, in 5cm increments?!
Quote:
Originally Posted by CyberDruid
Any Metallic Braid will be coated and nonconductive and isolated from the fittings.
Thanks for your input
Carbon fiber in different hues would be pretty damn spiffy.
To be honest, I like the idea of permanent fittings much more than the sleeved "race-look" tubing. Maybe it would be more enjoyable without the clamps on the sleeving.
Under construction
Viva La Chipzilla!
Linear Mode
