Copper Tube cooling

[MysticalOrca]

I have seen some builds like this one around and I am mildly interested. I believe I could figure out some of it on my own except connecting it to waterblocks, rads, etc. I have no clue where to even begin with the specifics of fittings for such a task. If anyone knows what type of fitting would work or where I could buy it I would be very appreciative

 

[Shogon]

It's not that hard to do actually. If anything the biggest pain is bending the copper. I'm a weakling but after a while and a little technique I got it down.

Fittings wise you can use these, http://www.performance-pcs.com/cata..._info&cPath=59_346_997_1200&products_id=33853

or this list, http://www.aquatuning.us/water-cooling/fittings/push-in-fittings/?p=1&f=712&sSort=5

I've used them and they are not bad, extremely cheap vs. compression's in my experience. Anyways with those fittings you would be limited to 8mm ID copper tubing.

Here is a place to buy some, http://www.mcmaster.com/#catalog/120/159/=ssumar

You can find anywhere to buy it so long as it is 8mm internal diameter. For me it was very hard to find metric tubing being in the land of Imperial locally, had to order it online.

Also here are some threads on overclock.net regarding the subject: http://www.overclock.net/t/1280153/pipe-bending-101/0_20

 

[MysticalOrca]

I am always glad there are people smarter than me on the internet! This is just the information I was looking for, thanks. It is certainly difficult to find metric pipe though like you said, especially because I only need ~10 feet of it...

 

[Shogon]

I just stumbled upon this info before you is all, but I'll take the compliment hehe

Yeah metric is a pain to find and luckily I found that site from someone else through the thread. Lots of info and crazy builds in there! Koolance also has these fittings, http://koolance.com/index.php?route=product/category&path=62_107

Bit expensive and honestly I prefer the Phobya/fittings from Aquatuning considering they are $2-4 or so.

 

[MysticalOrca]

Nice find but those are REALLY expensive for the 10 that I need. I found these that I think will work well.
Unfortunately the blue does not fit my theme at all so I will have to modify those somehow, I am hoping spray paint works well .
Since those are imperial though I also found some cheap 3/8th copper. Before I buy all the materials and tools though I am trying to figure out if acrylic would be the better aesthetic choice...

 

[Shogon]

I think those fittings will work, but I'm not entirely sure on the threading size even though it is 1/4". Just not sure if common watercooling parts are threaded in BSPP. Maybe in that thread I linked it has that somewhere.

As far as acrylic goes it just depends on what you want. I like the look of copper a lot, but acrylic will be cheaper I imagine and if you want to see the liquid you can, and also have different color tubing to replicate dyes.

 

[MysticalOrca]

http://youtu.be/y2yZsIzHYdg?t=6m2s I was watching that video and just typed in exactly what they showed. They seem like a pretty legit modding duo but who knows. I thought that the copper route would have been much cheaper than acrylic but after putting two shopping carts together I realized the price was negligible. After all your help, I think I am just going to go with acrylic...

 

[Erasmus354]

As you found in that video, G1/4" is the same as BSPP 1/4". You will sometimes see it called G1/4" BSPP even.

However one bit of confusion in this thread, with rigid tubing the dimension that matters is the OD (Outer Diameter) of the tubing and not the ID. The seal on rigid tubing with either compression or push fit fittings is made along the outside of the tubing. You want to make sure that the OD of your tubing matches up to your fitting size. So the fittings on ebay you found require tubing with 3/4" OD.

Also, don't buy anything from aquatuning. That company is shady as hell and should never be supported. (A couple years back they tried to do a trademark grab and registered trademarks for a ton of watercooling companies in Germany like Swiftech and Noctua)

 

[MysticalOrca]

You want to make sure that the OD of your tubing matches up to your fitting size. So the fittings on ebay you found require tubing with 3/4" OD.

I believe you mean 3/8" OD but you still have a good point. I almost made the mistake of clicking on 3/8" ID products.

 

[Shogon]

Either or they are both fun tubing to play with!

Acrylic will be easier to work with, and easier to bend. Those Phobya 10mm fittings I linked can be used with acrylic as well, but I haven't had much luck finding 7.5mm bending cord for the 10mm OD acrylic tubing.

If I had to choose between copper and acrylic for a 1st time, I would of gone acrylic.

 

[MysticalOrca]

You seem to REALLY like metric, Shogon But thanks a lot for all your input, I think acrylic will suit me better after all.

 

[Shogon]

Rest of the world uses the same system. I don't get why we need to use Fahrenheit and Imperial as standards here just to make things confusing.

Have fun with it

 

[Wildace]

because we are better than the rest of the world

 

[MysticalOrca]

I completely agree that the US is stupid for using imperial but I was just poking fun at Shogun because one must put a lot of extra work into getting metric pipe compared to just biting the bullet and getting less expensive and easier to find imperial pipe.

 

[PliotronX]

How do those bends perform? I always heard that backpressure is nearly double in 90 degree bends.

 

[Erasmus354]

How do those bends perform? I always heard that backpressure is nearly double in 90 degree bends.

That would be 90 degree fittings, that make a very sharp turn. And it is double of almost nothing. There is still much less restriction in even a 90 degree fitting than there is in a waterblock. Overall the restriction from fittings in a loop is negligible.

 

[Shogon]

I could go to Home Depot/Orchard Supply but I'd be supporting my local area and honestly it doesn't deserve the tax or my business . Yeah it's expensive vs. 3/8" or 1/4" but oh well.

There isn't much work when it comes to finding stuff online, and I don't use Ebay so I lose the option of buying the fittings you linked or the wonderful parts I could buy for my vape mod (get my friend to buy them ). Depending on your choice of acrylic fittings it won't be cheap either, but then again not everyone is a sucker for Bitspower like myself and there are plastic manufacturers that produce the same acrylic tubing but for cheaper online. Just have to search.