5mm Id Line, 8mm Od Barb

[whitegoose]

Hey all, I've got some 5mm ID 8mm OD line ready to get my keg setup operational... but I've just discovered that I need to fit it onto a barb that is 8mm OD (it's a 90 degree elbow barb that screws on to the tap, on the inside of the font)

I've read about heating up the line and stretching it over the barb but I've tried and tried and tried and the line just doesn't stretch that far (3mm extra diameter)

Are there any other techniques for getting it on, or even better, is there a connector I can goes from 8mm ID on one end to 5mm on the other? Or do I just need to buy a new "90 degree elbow barb that screws on to the tap" that is 5mm ID

Does anyone even know what I'm talking about? :lol:

 

[Doogiechap]

Two ways to skin this cat.

One of these with a length of this
But this may cause turbulance causing the CO2 to come out of the solution so you may prefer to go down the path of one of these with one of these :icon_cheers:
You will want to confirm thread sizes on your shank as well as clearance inside the font for these as well ;-)
Cheers
Doug

 

[Cocko]

Hey WG,

I am lucky enough to own a set of cir clip pliers... If you can get you hands on some you just soak the end in boiled water and spread with pliers - done. You need internal or switchable.. So when you squeeze they expand!

Maybe not the answer you were hoping for but its an answer!

View attachment 26689

Probably easier ways but that has worked for me!


:icon_cheers:

 

[andytork]

I used the stretching method to fit 4mm to my font and to the QD on the other end.

I used the following technique :-


1) Soften the end of line in boiling water
2) insert a cross head screwdriver (slightly larger than the internal of the line ) to widen the line.
3) Wait till cooled a little and repeat until end of hose is flared / widened enough to fit (of course soften line again when attaching to the final fittings)

I had six similar fittings to do and it worked for all of them

Andy

 

[Ross]

Two ways to skin this cat.

One of these with a length of this
But this may cause turbulance causing the CO2 to come out of the solution so you may prefer to go down the path of one of these with one of these :icon_cheers:
You will want to confirm thread sizes on your shank as well as clearance inside the font for these as well ;-)
Cheers
Doug

DC, Whitegoose is trying to connect 5mm ID line to an 8mm barb - The parts you directed to are not correct.

Whitegoose, you will not be able to get that line over the barb successfully. You need to either buy some bigger diameter line or swap the right angled barb to one with a narrower gauge. We have had an influx of customers with the exact same problem & have the replacement barbs on the way.

cheers Ross

 

[camedmeades]

Whitegoose,

It can be done as I managed to do it

I used the screwdriver method. Just make sure you leave the end in boiling water for 2 min +. I might end up replacing the barb anyway as I have a feeling the there will be too much turbulence when it goes from the smaller tube to the much wider barb.... we'll see.

 

[warrenlw63]

Hey WG,

I am lucky enough to own a set of cir clip pliers... If you can get you hands on some you just soak the end in boiled water and spread with pliers - done. You need internal or switchable.. So when you squeeze they expand!

Maybe not the answer you were hoping for but its an answer!

View attachment 26689

Probably easier ways but that has worked for me!


:icon_cheers:

+1 for Cocko's method. With just one warning. Be careful how much you spread with the circlip pliers. When the line is hot and malleable it's also very easy to split it.

Warren -

 

[T.D.]

I agree, this is a very common problem and can be fixed by heating the beer line and trying to get the end to "trumpet" out a little so you can get it around the barb.

I had the EXACT same problem you are having Whitegoose when I set up a font recently. I bought the font with beer lines already attached. some hot water and the handle of a small paintbrush got me over the line at the end of the day. I think Cocko's pliers suggestion would make it even easier.

You definitely don't need to buy new beer line.

 

[Ross]

4mmID/7mmOD line can be stretched over a standard 6mm barb with a bit of effort & is fine, but squeezing 5mmID/8mmOD line over an 8mm barb is asking for trouble with possible line failure & turbulance in your pour. Having spent good money on your setup, don't botch it

cheers Ross

 

[cdbrown]

Getting 5mm ID over a 6mm OD barb is hard enough, couldn't imagine forcing it over a 8mm OD

 

[fraser_john]

Totally :icon_offtopic:

But.....

 

[clintmo]

i solved a similar problem like this by using the 8mm ID line that came with the font, putting it over the barb, then cutting it to quite a short length, and jamming the 8mm OD 5mm ID up the short length just described... formed a real tight seal but i taped it up also for good measure. no leaks to date

 

[whitegoose]

i solved a similar problem like this by using the 8mm ID line that came with the font, putting it over the barb, then cutting it to quite a short length, and jamming the 8mm OD 5mm ID up the short length just described... formed a real tight seal but i taped it up also for good measure. no leaks to date

hmmmmm interesting... might give that a bash!

Thanks for the help guys - Ross any chance of a PM when you get those elbow joints with smaller barbs in?

 

[Ross]

hmmmmm interesting... might give that a bash!

Thanks for the help guys - Ross any chance of a PM when you get those elbow joints with smaller barbs in?

Will try & remember, but if you drop us an email, it won't get forgotten.

cheers ross

 

[Carbonator]

Heat is the answer, but be careful to not over-do it. Cigarette lighter until the plastic is soft, NOT smoking, black or burnt. Slip it over the barb when it is pliable and let it cool before moving it or applying a clamp.

 

[whitegoose]

i solved a similar problem like this by using the 8mm ID line that came with the font, putting it over the barb, then cutting it to quite a short length, and jamming the 8mm OD 5mm ID up the short length just described... formed a real tight seal but i taped it up also for good measure. no leaks to date

I tried this yesterday (while cleaning/sterilising my system) and everything worked nicely until I turned the pressure up a bit... the 8mm OD line just came out of the 8mm ID line - it seemed to be a real tight fit but under pressure it was just too much. It leaked star san everywhere but I'd much rather that than beer leaking everywhere.

Definitely hanging out for these new elbow barbs Ross!
My beer will have to condition in the keg until I get hold of some...