Is it possible to put fittings on too tight?

Dominic-Toretto · 25 May 2018 at 17:38

Using barbed fittings, when tightening should I rotate with just my hands, or do people use something like pliers for example for max tightness?

Lordgrayone · 25 May 2018 at 18:09

As tight as you can by hand as yes you can overtighten them

LuckyBenski · 25 May 2018 at 19:10

You can split the o-ring by overtightening, or at least crush and malform it. You also might just find that a too-tight fitting is overly difficult to remove after 18th months with fluid in.

Dominic-Toretto · 25 May 2018 at 21:52

Thanks for confirmation guys

Skorpion · 26 May 2018 at 07:17

I have always tightened my barbs finger tight then another 5mm with a spanner.....never had any issues in over 10 years on many systems.

Habakkuk · 26 May 2018 at 16:46

Yeah try to resist the urge of more tightening = safer!

Kei · 26 May 2018 at 20:35

Skorpion said:
I have always tightened my barbs finger tight then another 5mm with a spanner.....never had any issues in over 10 years on many systems.

I've always done this, as tight as I can by hand and then a very light nip with a spanner or grips to finish. I've found hand tightened fittings can come loose when fiddling with tubing. Never damaged any threads yet. I also always use PTFE tape on the threads on all my fittings for added security too.

To answer the question though, yes, it is possible to over-tighten and strip the threads or crack acrylic parts.

LuckyBenski · 26 May 2018 at 20:57

Some fittings also have an allen/hex key socket in the middle so you can tighten them without leaving marks. I quite like those.

Jamin280672 · 26 May 2018 at 22:08

I recently overtightened a barb into a 5 year old EK Supremacy water block, guess what, needed a new water block, hand tight only now, just leak test to be sure they are tight enough.

koooowweeee · 27 May 2018 at 06:30

Yeah nip it up a tiny bit as said. You can always buy more o rings if they get damaged

Habakkuk · 27 May 2018 at 21:40

It's awful when you manage to break it by trying to prevent it from breaking.

Bugbait · 31 May 2018 at 16:28

I tighten my Monsoon fittings with the included spanner thing and it gets pretty tight (way more than finger tight). The o-rings are pretty decent though and not had to replace any in years of use.

adam green · 18 Jun 2018 at 09:36

Use your hand not a screwdriver and you'll be fine

Dominic-Toretto · 22 Jun 2018 at 15:18

Thanks for all the input guys