Are hose clamps necessary?

[Herr Rogers]

After going to home depot today, I picked up some hose that looked like this: It's some braided thread sandwiched between two layers of hose.
http://i19.ebayimg.com/03/i/04/f0/22/e4_1_b.JPG
I took it home, and put it on my barbs, only to figure out that the walls were too thick to clamp with hose clamps. The clamps would fit, but I just didn't feel too confident with how it was held on there...I took the hose back and picked up some other home depot hose. I got home to realize that...well let's just say it was COMPLETE CRAP. This hose really sucked. I was really happy with that braided hose, only to find out that it was just too darn hard to clamp. So tommorow I'm thinking about going back and picking up some more of that braided hose. I guess from that long story, my question is "Are hose clamps really necessary". Are there any other ways to make sure that the hoses are attached tightly? I REALLY like this hose.

[nikhsub1]

You want to soak your whole system? If not, use hose clamps. Just get bigger clamps, I dont see how they won't fit due to the hose?

[Herr Rogers]

The clamps would fit, but I just didn't feel too confident with how it was held on there...

Obviously, no...I don't want to soak my whole system, and your smartalic reply really helped out my problem!

Also, the hose clamps would fit, it just wouldn't feel like they were clamped on very tightly. I don't get how bigger clamps would remedy this.

Is there another alternative to hose clamps? I've heard of one guy using a zip-tie gun, but I don't get how you would take the zip ties off if you used that...

[LabRat23]

I think the solution to your problem would be non reinforced hose. The stuff you have there is really unnecessary unless you are running an industrial size pump or something. I always used the clear vinyl stuff. If that is the stuff you said was crap, then you could always order some of the good stuff from mcmaster.com or somthing. The tygon is really flexible and clampable.

[nikhsub1]

Easy there big guy, I'm trying to give you advice. What clamps do you have? I recommend the auto style metal worm drive clamps, the hoses will not come loose. People do use zip ties as well, if you go that route, make sure you pull the ties tight.

[bryan_d]

I would have to agree with both labrat and nik because I have had first hand experience with the reinforced tubing from home depot and I will tell you that it is nothing but trouble! The bend radius for those things are horrible and they do not grip barbs as well as quality tubing. I returned that stuff quick and hit up mcmaster.com just like labrat said.

As far as what nik said... it may have come out wrong but I honestly would not trust that tubing in my system, especially without any clamps. I have used 5/8" ID (yep that's 5/8" inside diameter and I cannot remember how large the OD was) and the clamp barely got on, but it did catch about 3 slots which was enough to hold that hose in place. I am sure you have a very nice rig that you are watercooling; don't you think that spending the $15 on nice hose and clamps is worth the security?

Hope everything works out,
Bryan d

[Herr Rogers]

Funny thing is that I have been using the tygon ultra soft vinyl tubing and that stuff kinks SO EASILY! I'm sorry bryan_d, but the "reinforced" tubing that we have at our home depot actually has a really nice bend radius. Way better than their normal vinyl tubing. Also, about that reinforced tubing, it's inside diameter is 1/2", and it's outside diameter is 3/4". Meaning it's walls are a whopping 1/4". I think that's why it's so hard to clamp them down. Again, after going to home depot today, the reinforced tubing was clearly the best out of all them, I was just not sure how well it would clamp if it's walls are this big.

[gulp35]

what wall size does your tygon have? 1/8"? 1/16"? wall strength (usually proportional to size) has alot to do with kinkability, but when you reinforce it it also decreases the ability of the tubing to flex...

Good 1/8" wall Tygon, Clearflex60, Maskcleer (sp?), all do well in this sort of application, Thusly, I agree with bryan_d... I have heard nothing but horror stories about the braided reinforced vinyl tubing from Hardware Stores...

But...
If you like it... use it... just get some worm gear clamps that cover 3/4" in their range (try not to get clamps where the max and min are near 3/4" *within the range of the clamp*)

Have fun with your watercooling!

[Herr Rogers]

I got the Tygon 1/2in. ID 5/8in. OD Ultra Soft Vinyl Tubing #R1000. I don't get what's so good about this stuff, it kinks like crazy.

[nikhsub1]

I got the Tygon 1/2in. ID 5/8in. OD Ultra Soft Vinyl Tubing #R1000. I don't get what's so good about this stuff, it kinks like crazy.
The R1000 is not good, it is too soft, plus it is thinwall which makes it so much worse. You want the R-3603 Tygon, 1/2" ID, 3/4" OD which danger den has and it is actually cheap there compared to mcmaster or usplastics.

http://www.dangerdenstore.com/product.php?productid=172&cat=33&page=1

[Herr Rogers]

The R1000 is not good, it is too soft, plus it is thinwall which makes it so much worse. You want the R-3603 Tygon, 1/2" ID, 3/4" OD which danger den has and it is actually cheap there compared to mcmaster or usplastics.

http://www.dangerdenstore.com/product.php?productid=172&cat=33&page=1


How big of a difference would you say there is between the two?

[bapski]

i would think getting that kind of tubing from home depot is NOT a good idea. its kinda hard and would be very hard to re-route if needed and would be just detremental to your wc parts if you need to move your tubing around. it being hard will cause high tension to your parts should you move or adjust it and you might pull/damage your water parts.

[Herr Rogers]

i would think getting that kind of tubing from home depot is a good idea. its kinda hard and would be very hard to re-route if needed and would be just detremental to your wc parts if you need to move your tubing around. it being hard will cause high tension to your parts should you move or adjust it and you might pull/damage your water parts.
I guess you mean NOT a good idea. I already ruled it out of the equation and will probably get some of the stuff nik reccomended.

[d94]

wow! 2.80$ a foot..xpensive lol
i use mastercleer 7/16 ID 5/8 OD
the stuff is AWSOME..doesnt kink, bends nicely
and best of all i paid $14 shipped for 25 feet!

http://www.mcmaster.com/nav/enter.asp?partnum=5233K44&pagenum=82

and yea..i ALWAYS use hoseclamps..even tho ppl use 7/16 w/out hoseclamps
because its snug enough..im not willing to loose a 1k system to laziness :)

[nikhsub1]

How big of a difference would you say there is between the two?
Night and day. I had the R1000 thickwall (1/2" ID 3/4" OD) and it was unusable IMO.

[Herr Rogers]

Yeah, 2.80 a foot is pretty killer, but I want high quality stuff!

[scott d]

wow! 2.80$ a foot..xpensive lol
i use mastercleer 7/16 ID 5/8 OD
the stuff is AWSOME..doesnt kink, bends nicely
and best of all i paid $14 shipped for 25 feet!

http://www.mcmaster.com/nav/enter.asp?partnum=5233K44&pagenum=82

and yea..i ALWAYS use hoseclamps..even tho ppl use 7/16 w/out hoseclamps
because its snug enough..im not willing to loose a 1k system to laziness :)

If you're considering the 7/16, I think it's a great idea. I had to really work to get the hose onto my barbs, and work even harder to get it back off. Add clamps to that, and nothing will get that hose off. Honestly, I don' think I need hose clamps, but they're pretty cheap, and they do make me feel safer.

[nikhsub1]

Tygon pwns masterkleer and clearflex, no contest.

[thorilan]

ok the first thing is you have to understand about oyur tubing

harder tubing is less conforming meaning it will slip more. the particular tubing you bought is a good example of this.
you can use it BUT it will require either

1 you use high quality wormgear clamps that can litterally crush your tubing ( SIZE IS NOT AN INDICATOR OF QUALITY HERE)
so look to see if there are ridges that will cut into the hose under the gear housing , look at the planes on the wurm gear and make sure they are thick enough and uniform etc etc.

2 . you use very high grade zipties which odds are you will not be able to find these as they are industrial ties and are not sold in your average store ( i use them a lot but i have special application military spec. ties and i know the proper way to ratchet them)

my recomendation is to inspect the clamps and go with them and you will want to do leak testing extencively

[d94]

Tygon pwns masterkleer and clearflex, no contest.
well...iv never owned tygon and have no plans atm. masterkleep does the job @ a cheap price
one day, when i have a good paying job and am not a poor college student i will buy tygon, allong w/alll the other high end goodies :santa:

[Herr Rogers]

Well, looks like I'll be shelling out more cash than I wanted to....again.

[Pro*Banshee]

Well, looks like I'll be shelling out more cash than I wanted to....again.


Such is the life of the OCer, welcome to enlightenment :-P

[RDWest2005]

i will agree with others on worm gear clamps on everything
get the small feul line worm clamps from auto parts
don't get the smallest - they only go up to 1/2" and thats a very tight fit

the next size up in the small clamps go up to 5/8" i think

I just got the DD Blue UV Tygon tubing - and it kinks in tight bends

I had to add tie wraps real close on my SLI loop

The tie wraps kept the tight loop open if you want to live with looking at tie wraps

http://www.carolina-customs.com/my-new-box/IMAG0026.JPG