Idea=Good or BAD ??

[UnloadeD]

While messing around I noticed my ClearFlex 60 3/8ID x 5/8OD tubing fits very snuggly inside of 1/2" rigid copper fittings. I got some Plumbers Goop, it lists copper and pvc on the package, and claims to be stronger than glue. My plan is to scuff up the inside of the fittings and the ends of the tubing and see how it does. One of mashie's rigs kinda inspired me to try this. I like the look of the copper and also the clean look of the tubing cut to length with out a lotta long gentle curves. If I can get this to work I think mine will even look better, as the tubing is clear and it wont be stretched over the fittings. Another nice thing about these fittings, they are 1/2ID with a radius for the elbow so I don't think they will cause much resistance if any. Well what do you guys think? Will they hold or will they leak? BTW here's a few pics:

and mashie's rig...


peace.
unloaded

[mfpmax]

I'd feel safer putting it over the copper pipe, something that requires stretching or something...

[Arcturius]

I hate to disagree with mfpmax, but I think this will work fine. In the past, I've simply press-fitted nylon hose together for makeshift reducers (selection at local hardware stores is pretty weak...). I was amazed at how well 5/8ID|7/8OD hose stayed inside 3/4ID|1"OD hose. I didn't even use adhesive, I just rounded the end of the hose a little with a knife, wetted both hoses with water, and press fit them together for 3/4" overlap. No matter how hard I tried, I couldn't pull them back apart (the hoses just stretched, and I got tired )

I realize that two vinyl hoses are going to stick together better than copper and Tygon, but the goop should fix everything, IMO.

Just make sure you pressure test it for a while, just in case.


[correction]BTW, that mount for _mashie's_ eheim looks great. I think I'm going to have to steal that idea.

[UnloadeD]

Well I got an elbow with 2 pieces glued in. Drying as we speak, hopefully I'll get to test it out tomorrow. BTW if you are impressed with what mashie did with the pump mounting, you should check out what he did with the fan inside that duct. Here is his worklog for that case.

[mfpmax]

Originally posted by Arcturius
I hate to disagree with mfpmax, but I think this will work fine.

Just make sure you pressure test it for a while, just in case.

Don't feel bad

Yeah, pressure test it to at least 300 PSI if possible.

But yeah, your way would look nice and clean...and different.

[UnloadeD]

got me a new toy while i was out. now the real plexi work can begin.

[bigben2k]

I've used Goop before, on acrylic and PVC, but it's a better sealer than a glue.

That copper over pipe will probably work nicely, for a while. If for any reason the tubing degrades (heat, UV, time...), then you're looking at a potential leak, so if you do it, do it with good tubing!

[Skulemate]

Originally posted by mfpmax
[b]Yeah, pressure test it to at least 300 PSI if possible.

Good gracious... why such a large arbitrary value? I'd say 30-40psi would be plenty, considering there are other components in the system that have the potential to leak at lower pressures than this.

[ambient]

hey doesn't cramming the tubbing inside of a pipe make the ID of the tubbing smaller? Wouldn't that be a bad thing?

[mfpmax]

Originally posted by Skulemate
Good gracious... why such a large arbitrary value? I'd say 30-40psi would be plenty, considering there are other components in the system that have the potential to leak at lower pressures than this.

Because overkill is fun

[punish3r]

Not only is overkill fun, but by testing to that pressure, you're in the clear for anything less. Also, by testing to 300, this idea might be applicable in other areas

[Skulemate]

Sure, but us watercoolers don't need much more than 10 psi anyways, and who else but us is worried about how the plumbing looks? Certainly not plumbers...

[UnloadeD]

Originally posted by ambient
hey doesn't cramming the tubbing inside of a pipe make the ID of the tubbing smaller? Wouldn't that be a bad thing?

it's not crammed it. it slips in barely snug.
btw intial tests look promising, maybe tomorrow i'll get a chance to put it in the loop and see how it does. preserving the good looks while getting enuff goop in the joint was a bit tricky, it was hard not to get any on the tubing outside of the copper. I've decided i'll use masking tape when i do the real install. after everything is in place, ill remove the tape and then let my nice clean joints cure.

[Aardil]

just a thought I was thinking.
When you insert the hose into the fitting is is gonna cause a restriction.
This can be minimized by beveling the I.D. of the hose like this:



Only the exiting side if the joint needs to be beveled to accomplish this.
Just a little food for thought.

Aardil

[mfpmax]

http://www.atomicmpc.com.au/heavywat...bing%20003.jpg

http://www.atomicmpc.com.au/heavywater/Plumbing.htm

Something I found...the part between the pump and the first elbow reminded me of this thread.

[MadDogMe]

Ardil!, that looks like it should help stop it being pushed out as well, it'll (hopefully) make it 'expand' itself to the fitting walls, specialy if it's bevelled back in abit further...

[KnightElite]

That would look quite nice if you can pull it off. It would definitely make your rig more unique.

[airspirit]

That would also lessen the structural stability of the hose, and possibly cause it to collapse.

[bigben2k]

It's just a barb with an awfully restrictive tube.

The more I think about this tube in elbow thing, the less I like it. The purpose of putting the tube over the fitting is so that it can be clamped, and you just can't do that with the tube inside. It leaves a weak interface, prone to leaks.

Even in my setup, I have to use hose clamps, otherwise I'll have an air leak, from the pump's suction.

The only alternative I see is rigid tubing (like PVC) with a nice PVC cement: solid as a rock.

[Skulemate]

With rigid PVC you're then faced with the same problems as a soldered copper setup.

I don't think that there have to be structural concerns necessarily... as I understand the project these elbows replace any bends in the tubing, allowing for basically straight runs of tube. Just use lots of goop. Perhaps you could even fashion some sort of a compression ring that would fit inside the tubing and copper elbow?

[airspirit]

Will the PVC glue hold to metal? I know most PVC glues are designed to work with only certain types of PVC ....

[Skulemate]

No, it won't. I assumed that Ben meant to use PVC fittings and rigid PVC tubing along with the cement.

[bigben2k]

That's correct. One would have to use the appropriate epoxy to mix plastic with metals. Maybe JB Weld?