1/4 inch barbs with 7/16 tubing with no clamps

[bleucharm28]

How secure is it if i use 1/4 inch barbs with 7/16 tubing with hose clamps or zip ties.

Maybe hose clamps provides a bit more insurance?

I know compression fittings great, but barbs fittings with clear tubing looks pretty good.

 

[smackababy]

7/16 inner diameter or outer diameter? If ID, you're missing almost a 1/4" inch. It would not be secure at all. In the event you meant 1/2" barb on 7/16" tube, you should be fine.

 

[BrightCandle]

Its pretty tight and you very rarely get a leak. You can have some pretty high sheer pressure with 7/16" on1/2". However one thing to consider is how hard they are to get on and off. It can be physically demanding, often requires hot water and I have even damaged components in the past (a 5970, may it rip). Its not all positive, it costs a lot of extra time to deal with the super tight pipes.

 

[tracerbullet]

My water cooling is an all-in-one so I don't know this situation specifically, but I do know tubing and equipment in general and I'd simply suggest - yes, you should clamp them with something. The chance of a leak isn't worth it. I've found sometimes that the tighter something fits, it's actually more eager to pop back off. Especially after heat is applied and it softens a little.

That said there are some decent looking clamps available that might not kill the aesthetics of it: http://www.mcmaster.com/#standard-hose-clamps/=mea9s9

Look for either 1) Gap-Free Pinch Hose and Tube Clamps, or 2) Constant-Tension Spring-Band
Hose and Tube Clamps

The first ones are more secure but are tricky to put on (need to be able to crimp them but not cut them), the latter can be found at automotive stores and also in the little bins at hardware stores.

 

[MrK6]

1/2" barb and 7/16" tubing is very snug, you don't even need hose clamps if you don't want them. I use this setup, but also use hose clamps because I move the loop around when changing parts. If you really are saying 1/4" barb and 7/16" tubing then no, that won't be tight at all.

 

[aigomorla]

it wont work.

7/16th is a replacement for 1/2 on the people who needed a tighter turn without sacrificing the girth of the tubing.

there is no hose clamp which will secure it for long term.
If you did over time and due to the improper tubing size, you will torque the barb off and leak.

this is highly unrecommended...

Use 1/4th tubing for 1/4th barbs... i don't even think u can get away with 3/8th tubing for 1/4th barbs.

Or use a coupler...
something which is 1/4th on one side, and 1/2 on the other:
http://www.performance-pcs.com/cata...roduct_info&cPath=59_346_343&products_id=4481

 

[bleucharm28]

Kewl beans, thx all. I think Im gona with compression fittings again. I've seen a lot builds that uses barbs & clear tubing; i just thought they look cleaner in a build.