Tools for tubing

[andrew martin]

I am going to try tubing on some small sections of my bush this year, what tools do I need to attach tubing to the varying connectors? I won't be using HT wire since these are small sections of trees bunched close together. I planned on using mainyly 5/16" and 1/2" tubing since I won't have more than 20 trees per section. I do not want to spend a fortune and I am on a budget this year. THanks.

Andrew

[mountainvan]

The one handed tubing tool will work well for you. It's 60 or 70 $ but well worth it. Other wise a thermos of boiling water works too. Just put the end of tubing in the water, let it soften, and then slip it on the fittings.

[Parker]

Andrew- if you use semi-ridged tubing you dont need tools,,just chew on the tubing and jam it together with your hands,tools make the job a lot eaiser and faster,if you use ridgid tubing you will have to have at least a one handed tool,,,,you can do everything with a one hander,,,,a 2 hander is awful nice for putting in drops but not 100% (pretty hard to do with a one hander) necessary,,agine alot easier and faster,,it really all depends on what type of tubing and fittings you use,if you use semiridged tubing and "Lamb" mainline t's tools are not necessary {other than a good set of pruning shears for cutting tubing and a screw driver for the hose clamps,,,)

[maple flats]

Use a nut driver instead of a screw driver, it does not slip off the head.

[Sugarmaker]

Parker,
Curious as to where you guys are using the hose clamps?

Chris

[maplehound]

If you use the screw drivers that have the removable tips with the reversable shank. The shank with the tip removed makes a perfect nut driver for hose clamps. Less tools you need to cary with you.

[Jim Brown]

Chris; On ours we use the Lambs 3/4 main line tees that have 4 connections for 5/16. Kind of look like a ' blue turtle'. They use either the hose clamp or the snap ring style clamp.If you only need 2-3 of the connection we just put a cap over the other inlets

Jim
P.S. we have the RO plumbed up and ready to run!

[ennismaple]

Andrew- if you use semi-ridged tubing you dont need tools,,just chew on the tubing and jam it together with your hands,tools make the job a lot eaiser and faster,if you use ridgid tubing you will have to have at least a one handed tool,,,,you can do everything with a one hander,,,,a 2 hander is awful nice for putting in drops but not 100% (pretty hard to do with a one hander) necessary,,agine alot easier and faster,,it really all depends on what type of tubing and fittings you use,if you use semiridged tubing and "Lamb" mainline t's tools are not necessary {other than a good set of pruning shears for cutting tubing and a screw driver for the hose clamps,,,)

Try not to chew the semi-rigid like you would for the old style tubing as it may cause leaks. I've found that moistening the barbed end you want to insert into the tubing really helps. A 2-handed tubing tool is worth its weight in gold. We got one last winter and have assembled and installed over 1500 droplines using it. No other method of installation has been nearly as fast.

[WESTVIRGINIAMAPLER]

I am as cheap as anyone, but a 1 handed and a 2 handed tool are both invaluable in my experience, especially the 2 handed tool when you are making repairs with lines that have a lot of tension on them. I wouldn't want to be without either one as I was for in the past.

[maplecrest]

learning the hard way. if you want good vac. do not put the tubing in hot water, your mouth, or chew you will have leaks. use a tool. it took me 20 years of saying i dont want to carry it around. it paid for it self in one day of tubing instillation and sap gained. i just bought the multi tool and do not know how i lived with out that. i used a sheetrock knife for years, and many bloody thumbs.shop around there are many different makes and prices. depends on how fancy you want your tool