Heating 5/16" tubing with torch to connect?

[snowman]

What are the pros and cons to heating tubing with a torch briefly to install fittings? Does it weaken the tubing significantly over the long haul? Trying to avoid building a tubing tool.

[Sandersyrup]

Some have suggested using a thermos filled with hot water. Dip the end in about 1" and it will easily slip on.

[SmellsLikeSyrupNH]

That works great!

[sg5054]

I have a pair of extra long (15") needle nose pliers. I wipe a little cooking spray on the tips and insert them into the hose. Stretch the tubing a bit by pulling the handles apart and insert the fitting or spout. Done. Do it in the field or anywhere else. Nothing to carry but the pliers.

[IPL Technical Support]

Hello snowman,

To have a regular and even heating we would recommend heating with hot water only. Not that torching the tubing would necessarily be a bad thing, but it's harder to always have the same type of heating with this method.


What are the pros and cons to heating tubing with a torch briefly to install fittings? Does it weaken the tubing significantly over the long haul? Trying to avoid building a tubing tool.

[Bruce L]

Dip the end in hot water the depth of the fitting you are trying to push onto, then the tubing stays ridged behind to keep from folding over. We had a neighbor many years ago that tried the torch method, set his bush on fire as he was doing it after the snow had left.

[Sugarmaker]

Tried the hot water method and had some connections come apart in cold weather. Maybe the water was too hot. I finally got a one hand tubing tool and that's the best way to install them.
Torch might take some of the temper out of the tubing?
Regards,
Chris

[Ryan August]

i have done both and the hot water worked more efficiently for more. Only time I had it pull apart was after assembling and immediately having high tension on the fitting. I re fit, held it in place for 10-15 sec while it cooled, still together.

[maple flats]

If you have vacuum, either by pump or by natural, you will most likely have leaks if you heat the tubing by torch or hot water.

[Russell Lampron]

Make borrow or buy a tubing tool. With vacuum, natural or pumped you will heave leaks at the fittings using a flame wrench. Not sure about leaks with the hot water method.

[morningstarfarm]

Get a tubing tool...once you have one you will wonder how you lived without it...and you only need to get it once...

[Thompson's Tree Farm]

My experience with hot water... My gravity system was assembled using hot water. When I switched to vacuum, almost all fittings were having micro leaks. Get a tool. I thought the price was outrageous and fought it for several years. I would not go without a tool at this point!

[tendermason]

I tried a torch and it worked ok but tubing was hot to touch and connections kept coming apart. Bought a tool at sugas and it was worth it.

[Ryan August]

so what do we think the issue is with going with hot water and potential for micro leaks? DOes the tube not get on as far, do you feel the tube degrates slightly with the warmth? I could see issues if you heat it to a point that it is real soft a pliable but hitting with 5 -10 sec of warm to hot, not boiling water makes it just pliable enough to get it on. ANythoughts?

[snowman]

Thank you for all
of your input!I decided to build my own tool after all. a friend let me borrow his welder and I gathered the parts for $37 this thing will last a long time.