EK compression fitting torque

threedee

threedee

threedee

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Well, yesterday i built my first test loop out of the case.
Everything held up, no leaks...however...

How tight i must screw in EK compression fittings ? When i need to tweak the layout its near impossible to unscrew compression ring without unscrewing the whole fitting. Tubing is XSPC 7/16-5/8 (https://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=WC-031-XS) and its well sticky on the outside.

At this point i'm afraid i may strip threads on acetal cpu block(xspc raystorm) and ek pump top res (d5 x-res 140).

Any tips on dealing with this ?
 
Sounds more like your over-tightening the compression ring tbh, the barbed bit on the spout should hold the hose tight the ring is just there to trap it so it can't slide back off, not crush it onto the barbed bit or anything.
 
threedee said:
its near impossible to unscrew compression ring without unscrewing the whole fitting
Click to expand...

Yep, this happens.

What i suggest is that you grip the fitting and then twist the compression ring, it is quite hard on your hands but thats what is recommend.

I use EK fittings and they do have this problem, but i still reckon they are some of the best (have a look at the build log in my signature if you want :) )
 
@panyan: look at this (one of yours):
image.jpg


I cant tighten them this much. And it still unscrews when i try to take the ring off.

Here's mine:
oVTCFTe.jpg


And i cant undo it by hand anymore.
 
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I got a flannel. put the edge of it around the bottom of the fitting and put the bottom of the fitting in a vice. Very lightly wound the vice up until study and then used my hands to un screw the top. Before I did that the thread of the fitting were cutting my fingers because they are so sharp!
 
I've had a similar problem before, i used some 'pipe grips' with some rubber strip to protect the fitting and came apart easily.

I think when the tube is compressed by the outer fitting it becomes tighter than when you screwed the inner fitting to the part it's fitted to.
 
The new tubing is quite sticky on the outside. I suspect that this is causing the "problem" with needing so much force to unscrew compression ring.

Is there a way to un-sticky-fy the tubing ?
 
That explains gap. Doesn't explain excessive force needed to unscrew compression ring.
Will still need to come up with some sort of strap wrench to hold lower part from unscrewing.

Been reading on the stickiness of tubing, info very scarce (in watercooling context).
 
threedee said:
Will still need to come up with some sort of strap wrench to hold lower part from unscrewing.
Click to expand...

I know it is unconventional but i need to twist something on/off hard, i frind one of those wide elastic bands, wrap it around and then use your fingers to tighten it - the extra grip allows better control
 
I bought 8 of these, used 6, did them up finger tight (baring in mind I'm a small weedy lad with as much strength in my hands as a 9 year old girl), all 6 seized to the point where I gave up trying to get them apart and just cut them at the tubing and binned the whole lot. Koolance compressions were the same.

Bitspower compressions? No problem.
 
How the hell can so many people be having trouble with compression fittings, its really not that difficult.

Screw the fitting into the block with a lightish grip until it stops moving and your fingers slide on the grip, and by lightly I mean with as much force as a normal person would use to screw on the lid of a Coke bottle (I.E tight but not so tight your g/f can't open it). Then force the hose onto the fitting, the fittings are barbed so this will make a tight seal. Finally screw on the compression ring loosely until again it stops and your fingers slide (and this time I mean really loose, turning the knob on a stereo loose) you don't need to get it "crush the hose to make sure it cannot escape" tight, the barb is already holding the hose in place your just making contact with the ring so the hose cannot slip off once the pump raises the pressure and things swell with heat.
 
ubersonic said:
How the hell can so many people be having trouble with compression fittings, its really not that difficult.

Screw the fitting into the block with a lightish grip until it stops moving and your fingers slide on the grip, and by lightly I mean with as much force as a normal person would use to screw on the lid of a Coke bottle (I.E tight but not so tight your g/f can't open it). Then force the hose onto the fitting, the fittings are barbed so this will make a tight seal. Finally screw on the compression ring loosely until again it stops and your fingers slide (and this time I mean really loose, turning the knob on a stereo loose) you don't need to get it "crush the hose to make sure it cannot escape" tight, the barb is already holding the hose in place your just making contact with the ring so the hose cannot slip off once the pump raises the pressure and things swell with heat.
Click to expand...

+1

(but mine are done slightly tighter :p)
 
I decided to get small long nosed mole grips to help me keep lower part of the fitting.
So far found some 120mm long grips that open to 24mm, which is 3mm over whats needed.
 
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