Barbs VS. Compression

RoEy · 16 Jan 2008 at 15:13

Hi all,

As some of you may already know I'm researching everything there is to know about water cooling before I dive into it. I'd be really grateful if you guys could help me with this one.

Barbs VS. Compression Fittings

Thanks,

RoEy

uv · 16 Jan 2008 at 15:36

Barbs all the way.. compression fittings are a **** to take apart later!

RoEy · 16 Jan 2008 at 22:39

But is compression better? I don't mind the hassle of taking it apart. Just want the best possible fittings.

MikeTimbers · 16 Jan 2008 at 22:57

I've done both and although the compression fittings have never leaked, I just don't like them. There's something enormously reassuring about having to heat 7/16 ID tubing in boiling water to make it soft enough to push over 1/2 OD barbs and then securing it with a jubilee clip. You can trust barbs.

weescott · 16 Jan 2008 at 22:58

barbs all the way. Since you are interested have a look at the great stuff Martin on XS does:

http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/showthread.php?t=165383

Martin made a few of these custom T-lines for me:

They look better in real life.

RoEy · 16 Jan 2008 at 23:34

MikeTimbers said:
I've done both and although the compression fittings have never leaked, I just don't like them.

So does that mean that you've had barbs that's leaked?

Only j/k thanks for your advice mate.

RoEy

robj20 · 17 Jan 2008 at 08:01

Im using compression cant fault them, i used to use barbs, but i think compression look better.

RoEy · 17 Jan 2008 at 08:17

robj20 said:
Im using compression cant fault them, i used to use barbs, but i think compression look better.

Hi Rob,

Yeah I agree with you mate. How do they attach to the hose then because I'm guessing you don't need hose clips for them? So seeing you've used both would you recommend compression?

Raikiri · 17 Jan 2008 at 08:22

Compression fittings are barbs, they just have an added bit that screws on securing it. I've found them very easy to use and they've never leaked for me.

RoEy · 17 Jan 2008 at 08:26

Cheers Raikiri. What size compression and tubing did you use?

Raikiri · 17 Jan 2008 at 08:37

Just 10/8mm.

RoEy · 17 Jan 2008 at 09:27

Is that size for both the compression fitting and the tubing? It's just that I've read people tend to buy bigger fittings and smaller tubing to create a water tight fix.

robj20 · 17 Jan 2008 at 10:10

Yeah same here its 8mm ID/10mm OD tubing, on most sites its just called 8/10 fittings.

Elric · 17 Jan 2008 at 11:50

There's nothing wrong with compression fittings. I've used them and found them to be easy to get on and off. Compression fittings are as good if not better than barb and jubilee clips, it's very much fit and forget.

RoEy · 17 Jan 2008 at 12:24

Elric said:
There's nothing wrong with compression fittings. I've used them and found them to be easy to get on and off. Compression fittings are as good if not better than barb and jubilee clips, it's very much fit and forget.

Cheers Elric! Thanks for your advice. What size tubing would you have to get, would it have to be same size for both the tubing and compression clip? Or could the compression clip be bigger?

Jimbo Mahoney · 17 Jan 2008 at 13:52

I would have thought compression fittings would be better, assuming you can get them in 1/2" or 3/8" hose size (I've never used compression fittings).

I run 1/2" barbs and 1/2" ID silicone tubing. I have always used jubilee clips but I do find them a PITA to add and remove.

In my old rig, I did have one area where the jubilee clips were impossible to fit onto the tubing because I couldn't reach the place with the screwdriver, so I left them without clips. It never leaked in 18 months of use.

In my next build, I will run without clips after leak-testing for 24 hours.

The only time I've ever had a leak (no pun...) is when the plastic top of a waterblock cracked. I don't know what sort of plastic it was, but I use all-metal ones now.

RoEy · 17 Jan 2008 at 13:55

Jimbo Mahoney said:
The only time I've ever had a leak (no pun...) is when the plastic top of a waterblock cracked. I don't know what sort of plastic it was, but I use all-metal ones now.

Too right! I've read loads about waterblocks with acrylic tops splitting and leaking due to the screws inside them. I'll deffo get all metal ones.

Thanks for your advice Mahoney.

RoEy

Jimbo Mahoney · 17 Jan 2008 at 14:13

I've actually just read a post on XS where a guy was using 1/2" barbs and 7/16" tubing and it seems the pressure of the water pushed the hose off the barb, even using zip ties.

Thinking about this, I realise I have ~8m of head pressure from my pumps, which I would have though could easily push the tubes off the barbs with a restrictive block (like the NexXxos I use)!

Think I might stick to using jubilee (worm drive) clips everywhere I can then...

MikeTimbers · 17 Jan 2008 at 15:26

I'm surprised. I have a rig with 1/2 barbs and 7/16 tubing and I have to cut the tubing to get it off. Pulling on it just makes it grip tighter!

Jimbo Mahoney · 17 Jan 2008 at 16:10

MikeTimbers said:
I'm surprised. I have a rig with 1/2 barbs and 7/16 tubing and I have to cut the tubing to get it off. Pulling on it just makes it grip tighter!

Yeh, but a pump with high pressure will expand the tubing from the inside, rather than pulling it from the outside...