Fittings...

[J-O_S-H]

Hey again guys

just wanted to know about compression fittings

Ive realised they cost a bit more than regular barbs..

are they worth it? (They cost around £4.00 each here ($6-7.00) Damn VAT)

How secure are they as opposed to a barb and a clip?

Do they restrict water flow at all?

Any input would be appreciated

J-O_S-H

[atomic ferret]

1. A regular barb and hose clamp are equally as safe as compression fittings. The only real reason people use them are for aesthetic purposes.
2. They do not restrict flow any more than normal barbs.
3. If you can justify paying that much for a barb, be my guest, they look awesome, but you could save the cash to use on better quality components if you don't have unlimited funds.

[noobert]

yeah. compressions look great

[Conumdrum]

1. A regular barb and hose clamp are equally as safe as compression fittings. The only real reason people use them are for aesthetic purposes.
2. They do not restrict flow any more than normal barbs.
3. If you can justify paying that much for a barb, be my guest, they look awesome, but you could save the cash to use on better quality components if you don't have unlimited funds.


+1^

[AlucardCasull]

Here I thought that compression fittings would be more restrictive because of size restrictions.

[Blazing fire]

Regarding compression fittings from martin.

Compression fittings, are a bit tricky to use, I had leaks with some of them particularly the 1/2" x 3/4" types, and I have a hard time getting them back apart. Overal I think the Koolance types are the better design, but they are for thin walled tubing. They have deeper barbs which I like and a flat spot in the threads for wrench tightening.

Personally I still like 7/16" ID tubing best, how hard it is to get off all depends on the barb, 1/2" fatboy barbs or large plastic barbs are a bit more difficult, but at the same time that means less chance of leaks. I still prefer 7/16" ID x 5/8" OD on fatboy barbs myself, but there are lots of good options.

[VballCoach]

7/16" tubing on 1/2" PushOn barbs FTW!
never a leak but they've gotta be cut off to remove so always buy more tubing than you think so when you upgrade/redo your loop you won't be short on tubing.

[J-O_S-H]

Thanks guys

Ive already got some standard barbs and a wierd set of really long ones that are secure (came with my rad)

Ill just buy some clips for them

I can get those plastic ones, some spring clips (squeeze them over like what they use on washing machines, cars etc) or some jubilee like clips

what are the best clips to use?

[jr1]

personally i use wormdrive type of hoseclams
preferably the kind that is used for gaslines since they offer a better tightening

[Conumdrum]

personally i use wormdrive type of hoseclams
preferably the kind that is used for gaslines since they offer a better tightening


^ +1

Read a few posts about using plastic herbies. They work great if on just right. Too loose, they can leak, too tight and they can pop open. Many WC places sell em, but so does Home Depot etc. The sleeved or lined ones don't chew up the hose as bad.

Before installing any clamp for the first time, cut a 3" hose piece and put it on the barb and figure out how tight it needs to be. Better learning that way than fighting inside of a case to tighen a clamp.