Thinking about going back to barbs...

[matari]

I have been pondering the idea of going back to bards. For me, compression fitting have been nothing more than a pain. I constantly slice my fingers while tightening the piece that goes over the tube. Recently, I ruined the thread one of my fittings (probably from over tightening). When I go to clean my gear, I have to cut the tubing around the rotary fittings to make sure I do not damage them. Barbs are so much easier, but I want something aesthetically pleasing. So worm and Herbie clamps are out. The new clamps from Lamptron are nice, but they are not cost effective. That leaves me with zip ties. I would be a little bit apprehensive using zip ties. I read Martin’s test on fittings, but I am not convie=nced that zip ties would be up to the task of 24/7 crunching with two MCP 355 in serial. Certainly, they can survive a quick blast of higher pressure, but what constant pressure with heat over a long duration? Sort of a long post for simple question; Are zip ties good enough to hold my tubing onto my barb while under load 24/7?

[Soulwind]

I never went away from barbs myself...

If you're using 3/8" tubing over 1/2" barbs, then yes one (or two) zip ties, tightened down real well, will hold with just as much safety as Herbie clamps.

1/2" over 1/2" will hold; I'd be a bit more concerned about long term use, but not that much...
(if you are performing regular maintenance on the loop, you'll be replacing them regularly anyway since you can't reuse zip ties the way you can worm or herbie clamps).

[Rubycon]

If you want to use cable ties I'd recommend Thomas & Betts' high performance ties:

http://europe.tnb.com/ps/fulltilt/in...i?part=TY232M0

They have a positive locking stainless steel barb that won't let go in adverse conditions. If mechanics use them on CV boots, they will hold your hoses on your barbs! They are best applied with the gun shown that can fasten them tightly.

I'd avoid the cheap all plastic ones and they can suddenly let go when pulled to the limit when installed.

[jinsean]

Hmm. I went from barbs to compression fittings recently and I'm loving it. I've never had problems w/ over tightening or cutting myself. Good luck w/ the ties though

[autobot]

Personally I use 7/16" tubing over 1/2" barbs. It makes for a really clean look without a bunch of bulk.

[matari]

Putting sideways tension on rotary fittings can damage the inner o-ring. Best to just cut the tubing. Different types of tubing have different hardess. I made the mistake while changing tubing. The are still usable, just a wee bit of damage to top grove.

[ScottALot]

I love the idea of 7/16" in. tubing over 1/2" barbs. My personal experience with compression fittings is a lot of loosening over time, a lighter wallet, and one compression that was pushed off the thread so I had to hammer it until it went back into place (which made it look ugly as hell).

[BeepBeep2]

I also use 7/16 over 1/2, I honestly don't know why 3/8 over 1/2 would need zip ties, you would need to cut the tubing open to get the stuff off. I've had to cut 7/16 off of 1/2 barbs before, getting it off without cutting can be a pain.

[theseeker]

Personally I use 7/16" tubing over 1/2" barbs. It makes for a really clean look without a bunch of bulk.

I use a different size tubing, but this the cleanest way to go and it will never leak.

[JoeBar]

For me the best clamps are Koolance ones...

http://www.performance-pcs.com/catal...ducts_id=25625

[Holst]

Im also using 7/16th over 1/2" without clamps.

It is hard to pull the tubing off so I tend to gently cut the tube to get it off.

If you take your time cuttign the tubing straight then it looks neat and is pretty foolproof.

[Conumdrum]

I use barbs/clamps. 1/2 3/4 tubing. Seen more than one 7/16 ID on 1/2 barbs with pump failure, hose popped off at the CPU block.

I use clamps. But no clamps sure is pretty. I bought the new lamptron clamps for my soon to be rebuild.

http://www.overclockers.com/forums/s...3&postcount=68

[NaeKuh]

ive pulled 7/16 over 1/2 b4.

Which is why i at least ziptie that.

3/8 over 1/2 is another story.

[Martinm210]

7/16" over 1/2", especially the oversized 1/2" barbs is the ideal leak free connection. Add a ziptie and you're probably good for 100PSI.

The more I use 1/2" ID in testing, the more I hate it. I routinely get leaks with 1/2" ID and it's not just compression fittings, barbs too particularly the short stubby type. 7/16" is all I will put in electronics territory anymore.

[skeyo]

I have 7/16 hose on 1/2" barb on my rasa-RX360 kit and I could not take hose from barb without cutting. Maybe it is not safe on high pressure loops but I think for most of the loops is fine.

[theseeker]

Im also using 7/16th over 1/2" without clamps.

It is hard to pull the tubing off so I tend to gently cut the tube to get it off.

If you take your time cuttign the tubing straight then it looks neat and is pretty foolproof.

1/2" barbs with 3/8' ID tubing works great.

I use barbs/clamps. 1/2 3/4 tubing. Seen more than one 7/16 ID on 1/2 barbs with pump failure, hose popped off at the CPU block.

I use clamps. But no clamps sure is pretty. I bought the new lamptron clamps for my soon to be rebuild.

http://www.overclockers.com/forums/s...3&postcount=68

Clamps do not look good

[matari]

I have 3/8" tubing and barbs. could buy some 1/2" barbs, but how do you get them on? Those lamptron clamps are nice, but the prices at FrozenCPU are insanely high. Ever since they gave money to Feser... Where else can I buy them?

[theseeker]

I have 3/8" tubing and barbs. could buy some 1/2" barbs, but how do you get them on? Those lamptron clamps are nice, but the prices at FrozenCPU are insanely high. Ever since they gave money to Feser... Where else can I buy them?

You can go to http://www.performance-pcs.com/catalog/index.php and their prices are very reasonable.

[matari]

I am thinking about going with 3/8" ID tubing over 1/2" babs, but have a few questions. First, how do I get them on, without breaking something. Second, what the tubing "memory," i.e., won't the tubing stretch and get bigger over time? Last, won't the heat expand the tubing?

[theseeker]

I am thinking about going with 3/8" ID tubing over 1/2" babs, but have a few questions. First, how do I get them on, without breaking something. Second, what the tubing "memory," i.e., won't the tubing stretch and get bigger over time? Last, won't the heat expand the tubing?

You will have to get the tubing Very Hot, as in close to boiling water and you will need to wear gloves.

The tubing will get tighter, trust me.

[Waterlogged]

Advocating no clamps is, IMO, irresponsible. Any setup without clamps has the potential to pop a tube off, then how good does your system look? Think 3/8" won't pop off 1/2" barbs?...just ask Snyxxx, he was a long time supporter of clampless before the following post too.

http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/...9&postcount=52

Matari, look at Koolance spring clamps, classy, relatively inexpensive and you don't have to worry if the tubes are going to pop off.

[gabe]

I have been pondering the idea of going back to bards. For me, compression fitting have been nothing more than a pain. I constantly slice my fingers while tightening the piece that goes over the tube. Recently, I ruined the thread one of my fittings (probably from over tightening). When I go to clean my gear, I have to cut the tubing around the rotary fittings to make sure I do not damage them. Barbs are so much easier, but I want something aesthetically pleasing. So worm and Herbie clamps are out. The new clamps from Lamptron are nice, but they are not cost effective. That leaves me with zip ties. I would be a little bit apprehensive using zip ties. I read Martin’s test on fittings, but I am not convie=nced that zip ties would be up to the task of 24/7 crunching with two MCP 355 in serial. Certainly, they can survive a quick blast of higher pressure, but what constant pressure with heat over a long duration? Sort of a long post for simple question; Are zip ties good enough to hold my tubing onto my barb while under load 24/7?

Zip ties although commonly used (guilty myself), are I can definitely confirm it, unreliable.

[gabe]

I use a different size tubing, but this the cleanest way to go and it will never leak.

Yes it will. Tubing relaxes and hardens over time.

[airs]

Lamptron clamps:

[Johnny87au]

Airs clamps look sexy as! I'm agreeing with all of you guys, and am also suggesting 1/2 barbs with 7/16 tubing.. The fit is that tight I've tried pulling on the damn tubing and still couldn't yield any results , as for aesthetics.. Dd fat boys look quite charming