Tuesday, June 21, 2016

Project Open Core: Hardline Tubing

For this build, I decided to go with Monsoon Hardline PETG Tubing 1/2" ID, 5/8" OD.  I initially had purchased PrimoChill PETG Tubing, but decided that the diameter was too thin and liked the look of ⅝” OD better.  This is my first time “tube bending” so I purchased a lot of it since I knew that I had to account for the varoius screw ups that would occur.  Luckily it is not very expensive.



Since it was my first time working with hardline tubing, I had to acquire a few tools to make sure my bends look good. I already had a few things, like the rotary pipe cutters and a heat gun, but also picked up some Monsoon Mandrels to help form bends, a measuring kit, and a tube bending rig made by Barrow which came in really handy.



I have noticed that a lot of people cutting tubing use a hacksaw, but I personally thing the rotary pipe cutter is a much better tool.  Not only does is make very straight cuts, but it leaves no mess, and gives the tubing a nice beveled edge as can seen in the picture above, and ensures I don’t damage the o-rings when sliding them on for the fittings.

The Barrows bending rig was very useful when doing more complex / multi angle bends, and assured not only my angles were dead on, but that the tubing was straight throughout the level plane I was working with.  It also allowed me to keep things stable when doing larger 180 bends than what the Monsoon mandrel kit supported.  Used a can of compressed air as a form for one of the bends, and it come out really nice.



For the most part, my bends held true to my original 3D render which I was glad to see.  One place where I had to simplify a bit is where the Motherboard outlet connected to the GPU block. I was initially going to go with a nice multi-bend solution, but realized after installing the fittings that my plan wouldn’t work.  There wasn’t enough clearance between the fitting and the motherboard housing to do a 90 degree bend from that location. So I used my measuring kit to form a more simple
“L” bend directly to the GPU block.



Not as fancy, but the end result still looks great.  Towards the end of the process, I was getting really good and quick at making quality bends.  I may change things around at some point, but for now, I am happy with the end result.  Time to move on to finishing up making some power cables and getting them sleeved.



6 comments:

  1. Hey man, I'm really interested on know how did you configured this little screen with the specs of PC, there is a post showing this?
    My email is manoelpasinrangel@hotmail.com , if there isn't a post you can send me a little explanation about, please?

    Thanks,

    Manoel Rangel.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Head over to this page for more info on the System Specs LCD screen:
      http://mrarmageddon.blogspot.com/2016/06/project-open-core-hardware-system.html

      Delete
  2. Hey man, I'm really interested on know how did you configured this little screen with the specs of PC, there is a post showing this?
    My email is manoelpasinrangel@hotmail.com , if there isn't a post you can send me a little explanation about, please?

    Thanks,

    Manoel Rangel.

    ReplyDelete
  3. It seems that fittings for 1/2" ID, 5/8" OD tube is very rare. Am I missing something? Mostly what I see for 1/2" ID is 3/4" OD fittings.

    https://www.amazon.com/Bitspower-Compression-Fitting-Matte-4-pack/dp/B00VHC8FFM/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1470760392&sr=8-4&keywords=bitspower+g1%2F4

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. BitsPower makes fittings for their own size tubing. I used Monsoon fittings which are pretty easy to find, and come in a variety of types and colors.

      Delete
    2. Here is an example of the fittings I used (Monsoon G1/4" to 1/2" ID, 5/8" OD Hardline Economy Compression Fittings), but these are Blue

      https://www.amazon.com/Monsoon-Hardline-Economy-Compression-Fitting/dp/B01C3J06JU/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1471752289&sr=8-2&keywords=Monsoon+G1%2F4%22+to+1%2F2%22+ID%2C+5%2F8%22+OD+Hardline+Economy+Compression+Fitting

      Here are some other fittngs of the same size, but a bit more "Fancy"

      https://www.amazon.com/Monsoon-Center-Hardline-Compression-Fitting/dp/B00M9A5HNE/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1471752155&sr=8-4&keywords=monsoon+hardline+fittings

      Delete