Hose Vs. Barb

**Pogo** · 10-01-2009, 01:42 PM

Got a kinda old hose to start out with, but its kinda stiff and difficult to shove over redmax barbs..... could i soak the end in hot water to make it malable? Way scared to get water on(in?) my torch. Advice would be most righteous. (and helping newbs is rewarding - karmically speaking)

**barefoot stash** · 10-01-2009, 02:16 PM

try a little spit and some elbow grease

**Mecha** · 10-01-2009, 02:51 PM

Originally Posted by barefoot stash

try a little spit and some elbow grease

....
.......

too easy........

carry on.....

**jiminyrootkit** · 10-01-2009, 03:51 PM

it's kinda a bitch, but it can be done, i've done it on my redmax.
i think i took a piece of clean 1/4" steel rod and sorta wiggled it around in the end of the hose to stretch it a bit, then spit on it and pushed.
i think the RM barbs are actually intended for a slightly larger hose, 3/8 instead of 1/4 i.d. or some such.
if i ever get around to it, i'll get a few feet of the larger hose and rig it from the torch to quick connects (or just to my flashbacks under the bench) so i don't have to screw with it anymore.
-f

**nicko0** · 10-01-2009, 06:30 PM

i used very hot water a few years ago. i just shook the water out. a little cork probably would have been smart. anyway the near boiling water softened em up good.

**Pogo** · 10-01-2009, 08:38 PM

me thinks your right jimi. 3/8 is what it's wantin on there. all I got is this cruddy 1/4. Now that I know you have forced a 1/4 hose on there I gotta give it a go.

I'll spend money later, when i have some.

ray, me thinks your right too.

Will combine both of your techniques and force feed that shit on there near boilin hot with spit on it. awesome.
(read that last line with a little sarcastic comedic inflection)

**wahoo** · 10-01-2009, 11:36 PM

Heat the hose, just the very end, with a lighter, it will make it more mailable. Then go with the spit on the barb.

**nodice** · 10-11-2009, 05:53 AM

If you put pliers inside the hose and open them to strech the hose out a few times, it goes a lot easier. Not sure if this hurts the integrity of the hose though.

**Lurch** · 10-11-2009, 08:15 AM

I've used warm/hot water with my hoses and never had a problem with water in my torch... just shake out the hose a few times to get the water off the tip

**Aymie** · 10-11-2009, 10:03 AM

Yeah...just spit on it...then shove it in there...I'm glad I'm not the only one who likes it like that.

I love the melting pot in the morning. The best part of waking up is dirty mouthy glassblowers.