Getting Clearflex tubing over copper pipe
 

Is it possible to somehow get 1/2inch Clearflex tubing over 1/2inch copper pipe? Does boiling it work to soften it and then slide it over the copper pipe? Or am I going to have to solder pipe to brass barbs?

1/2 a cup of water, 90 sec in the microwave and, voila!!:D

Thanks, guess I'll try that.. :)

It's not easy, but it's possible. The OD of a "1/2 inch" copper fitting is more like 5/8".

I use the same nuked water.

Abit out of topic but still related...

If I got the tube over the copper pipe, it will be quite hard to pull out after some time of usage... so how do you guys pull it out, by heaten it again or any other method??

A utility knife works pretty well for getting it off I'd assume.

I've started leak testing my first watercooling set up.

The hose I boiled to get on the 5/8" pipe on my radiator are the only 2 connections that didn't leak on my first test, even without anything holding them tight.

Clamps become optional, at this point: the tight connection works almost as well as a clamp itself would.

To get it off, you can pull the tubing at an angle, back and forth, while pulling out.

Or you could just boil some water in a kettle :)

but, I like microwave.

I use clamps any way, on all my connection, and my radiator does not have barbs

The nominal O.D. of 1/2" pipe is .840" -This holds for any schedule -"wall thickness" SCH 10, 40, 80, 120 etc.

Yeah but copper is a bit different.

I found that the 1/2" fittings have an OD that's 1/16 short of 3/4", aka 11/16".:mad:

The 3/8" fittings are perfect for 1/2" tubing though.

Ben -you know more than most people but here it is for the record:

The male (and female) threaded part of 1/2-14 NPT has to have the same geometry -across the board- for the typical takeup of .4375 (7/16"). SCH 40 would have an ID of about .622" (~5/8"), an O.D. of .840" So your first thread could be roughly 11/16" (.688) -Now that is a 3/16" Dia. stretch -it can't be fun putting those on! ...and it is going to leak because there is nothing to fill in the void between threads. :rolleyes:

Material shouldn't make a difference for american standard pipe.

No, I was referring to copper fittings and pipe, the kind that you solder together. ;)

I was just at the hardware store, and I had my tape measure with me!

I also measured a threaded PVC 90 elbow (schedule 80), and the inside is still 3/4", and in the same bad mitre configuration. In other words, to get that sweep in an elbow, you really have to use the copper fittings.

3/8" fittings are good for 1/2" tubing, but the actual curve in the fitting is narrower than the connection, probably more like 3/8" (go figure!).

I asked my buddy Roger what cheap pipe bender he used: I'm going to have to try something myself.

Now if only there was 5/8" copper parts available anywhere, then I might be able to clamp my 3/4 tubing to it. (btw, the 3/4" fitting have an OD of ~1 inch:eek: ).

OK you are looking at copper tubing -like you sweat (solder)together. Soft copper tubing is regularly available in 5/8" Dia. It is soft enough that it is sold in rolls in boxes.

You can easily bend it in your hands but if you want tight radiuses you do need a bender...or even a long spring that just fits over the tube ;) I have a set of benders made this way and they work pretty well. Get an extension spring so it will have a lot more coils to support the tubing.

Tubing benders are available pretty cheap also. My local Carquest sold one this week that would do 1/4, 3/8, and 1/2 for $7.00. And it was the type with a moving arm which is much better than the one piece units.

Here's what my buddy Roger did:
http://www.wc101.com/articles/coppertubing.php

...and yes, he did use vynil for the connections to the blocks. ;)

He made a reference to a "tube bending spring". Is that what you were talking about?

I'd like to be able to make really tight bends, but if I have to, I'll use 45 elbows fittings. The problem is still that there's no fitting that'll accept a 3/4 braided hose with ease.

Just curious...what kind of "braided" hose are you using?

It's regular ole' 3/4" ID braided vinyl hose that I got at the hardware store. Dirt cheap, but solid as a bullet!

heat guns work wonders also
 

Variable temp Heatguns from the local hardware store, put a little lube on the pipe (no not that one!) and just wiggle it on over. Clamps will be required since it will probably not be a vise-like grip. Also don't try for ridiculous expansion like 1/2" tube on 3/4" pipe!:D :D