Using scratched barbs?

Dominic-Toretto · 22 Feb 2019 at 18:30

Hey all,

While disassembling my loop to remove the 1/2 tubing off the 1/2 barbs I have had to cut the tubing off with a razer as they would not budge any other way.

I have just examined all the barbs and I can see and feel very tiny scratches on the outside. My question is are these still okay to use or am I SOL and need to order more?

Thanks

pastymuncher · 22 Feb 2019 at 19:12

Why are you still using barbs? To my mind they spoil the look of a build, even more so if you are using clamps or Jubilee clips. Compression fittings look so much nicer and you don't even have to buy the expensive ones. Mine are all cheap generic fittings and I have never had a leak, plus they look good. Even though I have now gone hardline inside the case I didn't splash out on expensive fittings and got some very reasonably priced Barrow fittings.

Back to your question. Many years ago I used to use 7/16" tubing over 1/2" barbs and the tubing fitted so tightly that it didn't matter that some of the barbs were scratched (some quite deeply) and I never had any leaks. I found the trick to removing the tubing was to get a Stanley knife and cut the tubing flush with the end of the barb. To remove the tubing left on the barb it was then easy to turn the Stanley knife upside down so you had a blunt edge against the barb and the sharp edge against the tubing and very carefully slide the blade up the barb cutting the tubing in half as you go. You don't scratch the barb this way but be very careful or the tubing won't be the only thing you are cutting into.

Dominic-Toretto · 22 Feb 2019 at 19:19

pastymuncher said:
Why are you still using barbs? To my mind they spoil the look of a build, even more so if you are using clamps or Jubilee clips. Compression fittings look so much nicer and you don't even have to buy the expensive ones. Mine are all cheap generic fittings and I have never had a leak, plus they look good. Even though I have now gone hardline inside the case I didn't splash out on expensive fittings and got some very reasonably priced Barrow fittings.

Back to your question. Many years ago I used to use 7/16" tubing over 1/2" barbs and the tubing fitted so tightly that it didn't matter that some of the barbs were scratched (some quite deeply) and I never had any leaks. I found the trick to removing the tubing was to get a Stanley knife and cut the tubing flush with the end of the barb. To remove the tubing left on the barb it was then easy to turn the Stanley knife upside down so you had a blunt edge against the barb and the sharp edge against the tubing and very carefully slide the blade up the barb cutting the tubing in half as you go. You don't scratch the barb this way but be very careful or the tubing won't be the only thing you are cutting into.

Hey, thank you for the response. I prefer barbs with clamps to compression fittings due to the simplicity of their design and I like the aesthetics or barbs.

Thank you for the tip regarding removing tubing. That makes sense. Additionally my tubing is actually 7 / 16 ID. It's 5/8 od. So based on what you have said I should be good to go with the barbs but have a better technique for the future too

MikeTimbers · 23 Feb 2019 at 11:28

If the water-cooling is for function not form, barbs are a cheap effective method.

Holst1981 · 23 Feb 2019 at 12:29

I still prefer barbs over other fittings.
Cheaper and I have never had a leak.

Slight scratches won't matter.

I have had some corrosion where chrome plated barbs were scratched.

Smffy · 23 Feb 2019 at 16:59

You could always use some finishing paper and smooth it out if you fancied but it’s not a problem...