I'm just about to replace my current tubing with Acrylic Tubing, and was wondering, if anyone has any suggestions, on how to make sure you remove all stress from the system? (this is obviously caused by inaccurate cutting but it's more about, what ways you have found to mitigate these facts?). Also what are your current goto brands for fittings? and wondering what are actually the easiest to work with etc?.
Also very random question has anyone tried giving the tubes, once they are fitted, a quick blast over with a heatgun to remove any slight stresses in the system? Still probably overkill (i would probably use old pc parts instead of the new ones but just worried i'm going to over stress one of the tubes and overtime's create a hairline crack), but I just have a tendancy to try and do everything the best way rather than just ok, at least the first time anyway :D.
Sorry for the lots of questions no need for long answers just ideas, links, etc just peoples thoughts really.
There are comprehensive guides on OCN from some of the world's best modders. Check it out there dude, just search the forums, you will be bound to find something
I built a PC with the first generation Primochill parts.
I really don't recommend it if your not very comfortable with sanding, polishing, cutting etc. You will need -
1) Rotary Tool (Dremel or whatever) with cutting heads and polishing heads. 2) Hack saw. 3) Heat Gun. 4) Novus Polishing Set (for Acyric) 5) Microfibre cloth. 6) Sand Paper of differing plies. Silicone insert for tube bending and structure is a most.
Buy more tube than you need. You will waste some melting in.
Getting the Acrylic into the fittings is very difficult when they are straight. Getting them into fittings when bent is nearly impossible - getting the correct bend is insanely difficult....
I cannot specify how much extra work this is in comparison to tubing. To be honest, my new PC has tubing - not Acrylic. I think Acrylic is best for consumer custom builds not for daily user PCs. I ripped out the fitting when I upgraded, and the thought of going through the cutting, sanding, bending, pulling and pushing for each fitting again meant I instantly sold my equipment and got tubing.
It does look amazing though....
I wouldn't consider it if you upgrade regularly. Compressions and Rotaries can look just as good with straight runs in my opinion, and will be far cheaper after you take into account your time and all the tools you will need.
Yea already looked at that guide if I remenber. If I remenber it's great for the basics just not for the problems opinions etc. What i needed was stuff like tasty rabbit has said, know really how to do it just know I'm gonna have problems and wanted to find them out before i reach there.
Sadly it's more a problem of sourcing it as I would have to find the industrial material name and source it directly, as currently there seems to be no UK stockist selling PETG (otherwise i would but have worked alot with acylic, so not too worried about working with it.
Thanks Tasty, yea thought the silicone insert was gonna be a given. Probably going to make some jigs to get the shapes i want i think.
Think is sadly I've had more problems, then you gain, from having normal rotary fittings. The big problem is during maintenance. Be very careful and make sure all ur rotary fittings are tighten to their max (being very careful not overtighten them but use pilers otherwise they will come undone) before you begin emptying. Sometimes due to rotaries being so stiff (after prolonged use) they can sometimes unscrew themselves when turning the rotary.
But yea compressions fittings are great just, after 10 years think i want a change as would really like straight angles would save so much problems in my case (M-atx Bitfienix pheonom). Currently just use one large dual rad but with it's very tight, I won't think it will be possible to make it neat without it hardline tubing.
Luckily it's rarely moved or when i do upgrade the main parts I tend to get the expensive parts and then just not upgrade for an age and just refresh the liquid every 6 months.
Yea just saw that this week too Zibob, decided that's what I'm going to do as like the look of the XSPC fitting too. Currently waiting for them to get stock in, no idea how long that will be. But think I'm going to give it a go for this run just because I prefer larger tubing and so far that's the largest I've seen.
Ha got to build the case first Zibob anyway, building it from scratch about 50% the way through the cad drawings so far, so probably by the time I'm ready it will be available at least.
Zibob I think they have only just got them in, as currently it's states pre-order and I haven't seen there before. Not to worry already have my order in, just waiting for them to arrive now.