Question about newest Switech kits..

quicksilverXP · 02-14-2005, 02:41 PM

The MCW6000 and the MCP350 come with preclamped barbs and hoses already on them. What happens when we need to reroute them and have to replace the tubing? How can these clamps (the ones that need to be pinched on both sides) be removed?

I'm so used to worm drive clamps, but I love the look of these pinching clamps. Where can you buy these clampss by the way (Mcmaster?)... and how can they be removed?

Thanks in advance.

BillA · 02-14-2005, 03:32 PM

a big pair of side cutters and some muscle,
clamps and crimping tool from MacMaster

JWFokker · 02-14-2005, 05:05 PM

Argh! Those pinch clamps are the worst. Prepare to destroy your fingers removing them if you put them on tight. Worm drive clamps and zip ties are the only way to go. I thought they were a good idea because they go on so much faster than the worm drive clamps but I was sorely mistaken. I still regret it occasionally because I've yet to replace them and I'm all out of zip ties. Maybe there's an easier way to get them off than my method, but I'm not aware of it.

quicksilverXP · 02-14-2005, 05:29 PM

What is your "method" of removal?

And Bill.... anyway possible you can link me to the part number at McMaster to the side cutters that you recommend for removal? And what part of the clamp would you cut?

BillA · 02-14-2005, 05:35 PM

side cutters are dikes, diagonal cutters for wire and such - any hardware store (6" or better)
cut through one side of the raised 'crimp', twist off

jaydee · 02-14-2005, 07:43 PM

Heh, I come across this situation now and then. What I always done was cut the hose at the end of the barb and then heat up a small knife or flat ended screw driver read hot and melt the tubing under the clamp. Once you get a little section melted away the rest usually comes out pretty easy.

BillA · 02-15-2005, 09:34 AM

many ways to remove things
nice jd, 'tool-less' removal

Roscal · 02-15-2005, 09:41 AM

Use a saw to cut the pinched side of the clamp, it's done in 30 sec without damage nor hose cutting, if you aren't a one handed.

JWFokker · 02-15-2005, 06:28 PM

Ah. I made the mistake of actually trying to reuse them. I try to pull and slide the teeth of the clamp around so it lets go. I thought they were intended to be reused. If I'd know they were glorified zip ties I wouldn't have ever bothered with them. Even still I wish I had never seen the things.

BillA · 02-15-2005, 06:41 PM

err, a zip tie is much easier to remove
these were intended to be kinda, but not absolutely, permanent
aka leak free

02-14-2005, 02:41 PM	#1
quicksilverXP Cooling Neophyte Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Irvine Posts: 58	Question about newest Switech kits.. The MCW6000 and the MCP350 come with preclamped barbs and hoses already on them. What happens when we need to reroute them and have to replace the tubing? How can these clamps (the ones that need to be pinched on both sides) be removed? I'm so used to worm drive clamps, but I love the look of these pinching clamps. Where can you buy these clampss by the way (Mcmaster?)... and how can they be removed? Thanks in advance.

02-14-2005, 03:32 PM	#2
BillA CoolingWorks Tech Guy Formerly "Unregistered" Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Posts: 2,371.493,106 Posts: 4,440	a big pair of side cutters and some muscle, clamps and crimping tool from MacMaster

02-14-2005, 05:05 PM	#3
JWFokker Cooling Savant Join Date: May 2004 Location: Kingston, NY Posts: 269	Argh! Those pinch clamps are the worst. Prepare to destroy your fingers removing them if you put them on tight. Worm drive clamps and zip ties are the only way to go. I thought they were a good idea because they go on so much faster than the worm drive clamps but I was sorely mistaken. I still regret it occasionally because I've yet to replace them and I'm all out of zip ties. Maybe there's an easier way to get them off than my method, but I'm not aware of it.

02-14-2005, 05:29 PM	#4
quicksilverXP Cooling Neophyte Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Irvine Posts: 58	What is your "method" of removal? And Bill.... anyway possible you can link me to the part number at McMaster to the side cutters that you recommend for removal? And what part of the clamp would you cut?

02-14-2005, 05:35 PM	#5
BillA CoolingWorks Tech Guy Formerly "Unregistered" Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Posts: 2,371.493,106 Posts: 4,440	side cutters are dikes, diagonal cutters for wire and such - any hardware store (6" or better) cut through one side of the raised 'crimp', twist off

02-14-2005, 07:43 PM	#6
jaydee Put up or Shut Up Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 6,506	Heh, I come across this situation now and then. What I always done was cut the hose at the end of the barb and then heat up a small knife or flat ended screw driver read hot and melt the tubing under the clamp. Once you get a little section melted away the rest usually comes out pretty easy.

02-15-2005, 09:34 AM	#7
BillA CoolingWorks Tech Guy Formerly "Unregistered" Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Posts: 2,371.493,106 Posts: 4,440	many ways to remove things nice jd, 'tool-less' removal

02-15-2005, 09:41 AM	#8
Roscal Cooling Savant Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: North of France Posts: 198	Use a saw to cut the pinched side of the clamp, it's done in 30 sec without damage nor hose cutting, if you aren't a one handed.

02-15-2005, 06:28 PM	#9
JWFokker Cooling Savant Join Date: May 2004 Location: Kingston, NY Posts: 269	Ah. I made the mistake of actually trying to reuse them. I try to pull and slide the teeth of the clamp around so it lets go. I thought they were intended to be reused. If I'd know they were glorified zip ties I wouldn't have ever bothered with them. Even still I wish I had never seen the things.

02-15-2005, 06:41 PM	#10
BillA CoolingWorks Tech Guy Formerly "Unregistered" Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Posts: 2,371.493,106 Posts: 4,440	err, a zip tie is much easier to remove these were intended to be kinda, but not absolutely, permanent aka leak free

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