Lines

[BigDan3131]

Have any of you ran hardlines instead of the standard plastic,nylon,etc? I bend hardlines for my car fuel and brake lines from polished stainless steel. I know I might need to run a flexible end to connect then if I cant use AN adapters.

Going hardlines will give a cleaner look than clear lines with huge loops in it.

[striker85]

You would have to find some large diameter hard lines, though. And as many others will say, 90 degree bends kill flowrate. But I'd like to see what you could do with hardlines.

[Sleepy_Steve]

I guess cost is no object here?

[(Clanger)(DOA)]

you could use copper tubing.. hmmm.

[voigts]

It is going to be hard to get 1/2" copper to bend to the tight radii that we usually need in watercooling loops without using elbows and such. The other option would be plastic, but that is not going to be easy to bend either. The gentle curves afforded by plastic/vinyl tubing helps keep restriction to a minimum.

[(Clanger)(DOA)]

It is going to be hard to get 1/2" copper to bend to the tight radii that we usually need in watercooling loops without using elbows and such. The other option would be plastic, but that is not going to be easy to bend either. The gentle curves afforded by plastic/vinyl tubing helps keep restriction to a minimum.

Its not too hard to bend copper.... with a small pipe bender. Plus they make elbows that are not compleat 90s

[Seven]

Most pipe benders aren't really made for 1/2" tubing, although they work very nicely for 1/4" if you're into the low flow rate stuff (see Y2K Bug by mashie for example).

7

[voigts]

Its not too hard to bend copper.... with a small pipe bender. Plus they make elbows that are not compleat 90s

Pipe benders can't bend 1/2" copper into a tight radius at all. Small pipe benders only go up to 3/8", after that the pipe benders are much larger in radius because the 1/2" can't bend very tight. You could use 45 degree and 90 elbows, but that to me isn't going to look very good, and the more sharp bends, the more restriction.

[billb]

Have any of you ran hardlines
Sure, easy.

[Arca_ex]

http://www.ocforums.com/showthread.php?t=461239&

Except my hard lines and fittings cost a ton and they can also handle up to 6000 PSI :D

[voigts]

Sure, easy.

What on earth is that???

[billb]

What on earth is that???A rated 830 CFM and actual flow rates of 3+ gpm = OC records on numerous forums.

[Seven]

Those are some monster deltas on that airbox, in addition to a crazy setup.

The best use of hardlines I've seen was probably in Mashie's Y2KBug though, as I said. Just for cleanliness/some passive cooling/form factor, nothing beats 1/4" copper tubing bent correctly. He DID however, not end up using hardlines in the end because they were impossible to remove once installed (you need to cut the tube in half, effectively destroying your work).

http://www.mashie.org/casemods/pics/y2k_007.jpg

I still think tygon wins this contest any day of the week.

7

[BigDan3131]

I can use aluminum hard line in 1/2" for this. I forgot about 1/2" fuel line,its easy to work with and curving it is very easy. You can even get it anodized in red or blue.

An old trick to keep lines from crushing while bending is to pack it full of sand and then curve it.

Do the nipples on waterblocks & parts come off or are they formed onto them? If removable are they pipe thread? If they are I could use AN lines too.

[harakusara]

Those are some monster deltas on that airbox, in addition to a crazy setup.

The best use of hardlines I've seen was probably in Mashie's Y2KBug though, as I said. Just for cleanliness/some passive cooling/form factor, nothing beats 1/4" copper tubing bent correctly. He DID however, not end up using hardlines in the end because they were impossible to remove once installed (you need to cut the tube in half, effectively destroying your work).

http://www.mashie.org/casemods/pics/y2k_007.jpg

I still think tygon wins this contest any day of the week.

7

I don't quite understand why he couldn't get them out without cutting them. How did he get them in in the first place?

[QuietIce]

Pipe benders can't bend 1/2" copper into a tight radius at all. Small pipe benders only go up to 3/8", after that the pipe benders are much larger in radius because the 1/2" can't bend very tight. You could use 45 degree and 90 elbows, but that to me isn't going to look very good, and the more sharp bends, the more restriction. Minimum radius for 1/2" copper tubing is (usually) 2.5" - 2.25" if you get the right tubing. But you're right, that's still a little big for some of the stuff we need. I managed a 1.5" radius for a full 180° w/thin-walled Tygon and some ClearSleeves.

I can use aluminum hard line in 1/2" for this. I forgot about 1/2" fuel line,its easy to work with and curving it is very easy. You can even get it anodized in red or blue.

An old trick to keep lines from crushing while bending is to pack it full of sand and then curve it.

Do the nipples on waterblocks & parts come off or are they formed onto them? If removable are they pipe thread? If they are I could use AN lines too. Most WC components have G 1/4 thread for the barbs if that's what you're asking. WC components are generally shipped w/out barbs attached.

Aluminum is not a very good choice for any WC parts - aluminum (even anodized) + copper blocks = galvanic corrosion, which anti-freeze doesn't stop. Not such a big deal in a car but murder with these small components - all those micro-slots and (in some cases) micro-jets to clog up. Once that happens your cooling's in the toilet. Now, if you can find (and afford) some 7/16" 304 SS tubing ... :beer: