Hose Fittings
 

Barb fittings seem to be pretty popular around here. (?) Any particular reason for that? I think compression fittings look the most reliable, but I wouldn't count on just looks. What type do you use and why?

I use 1/2" copper pipe for my connections , with jubillee clips holding the tubing on to the pipe its very cheap and isn't restrictive.

Barb fittings are the easiest and most reliable way to attach the low pressure hoses and flexible tubing that we use in water cooling. When done correctly, this method is nearly foolproof. The only real problems arise when people try to attach adapters and fittings that do not normally couple....:rolleyes:

Rigid pipe is cumbersome, bulky and just too heavy for our application. I can't see myself working on my PC with a couple of pipe wrenches. However, our barb fittings usually have a male pipe nipple on the end opposite the barb... Rigid plumbing methods could also stress fairly delicate PC components.

Soft and hard copper tubing and the appropriate "sweat" fittings are reliable but do not lend much flexibility which can make service / placement awkward. Compressor systems use them b/c of their higher working pressures. Compression fittings require that the parent tubing be deformed to seal...sooo they are not really reusable. If you like / need compression fittings -use them. I just don't like them. Flare fittings are also common with soft and hard copper / stainless / aluminum tubing. O-ring fittings can be used, and often reused, on metal and plastic tubing but some require a special crimp on the end of the tube that forms a shoulder for the o-ring. (think automotive A/C systems)

JIC hose ends are OK but are heavy and usually mate with stiff braided hoses. Pipe fittings actually have a higher rated pressure than the JIC fittings common on hydraulic hoses. Then there is thermoplastic hose and it's assorted fittings, o-rings, etc...there is really no problem with this stuff though I haven't seen many people use it! The bend radius tends to be large, though...

But, that is just my opinion...feel free to shoot it full of holes.

push fittings are mentionable also, but we see those mainly on swifties and bladerunners blocks. I have no experience with them, so i cant comment on reliability.

Barbs are definetly the way to go, leak proof when used correctly and cheap.

Ahh -good call. All of the push fittings that I know of use a fairly stiff plastic hose. Are there some that use soft tubing like vinyl?

I mainly use polypro fittings in my setup, 1/2" NPT or 1/2" hosebarb. They both grip and seal quite well. I also use some Colder quick-disconnect fittings with seals on some parts to make swapping components easier.... I've also replumbed the radiator with 1/2" npt fittings to accept whatever I want to screw into it.

Hellion_Prime:

Could you post a pic. or link to these fittings? Sounds interesting...

You need a special insert to use these fittings with a soft tube (Tygon). They look like shell casings. However they are rare in 1/2 OD needed to fit 1/2 ID tube.