jbarker4682 Posted October 20, 2019 Share Posted October 20, 2019 Finding information about these products is ridiculously complicated. Can someone please tell me if the 14mm size refers to the inner or outer diameter and then what the opposite size would be (ex: if 14mm refers to the OD, then what is the ID, and vice-versa)... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nazgul Posted October 20, 2019 Share Posted October 20, 2019 It refers to the OD, the ID is always 10mm. 14mm is the sweet spot, 12mm looks too thin and 16mm is too thick. And NEVER use acrylic but PETG tubing. I used XSPC PETG. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zotty Posted October 20, 2019 Share Posted October 20, 2019 (edited) And NEVER use acrylic got a good reason for that? aside from PETG supposedly easier to work with for the newcomers to the sport?. using Acrylic my self.. yet to see why PETG is 'better'? PETG Pros: Soft and thus less brittle and won't crack when bent slightly Easier to cut (certainly) Easier to bend (slightly) Cons: Not as clear to begin with. Can degrade from UV-A exposure (sunlight) More prone to being stained by dyes (though miles ahead of soft tubing) Can deform when a joint is under stress for long periods of time Acrylic: Pros: More clear and more shiny!! Won't stain and wont yellow Cons: Can crack when forced (why would you force things?) Harder to cut (easy with the correct tools) (taken from another post with a few edits made) Edited October 20, 2019 by Zotty Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nazgul Posted October 20, 2019 Share Posted October 20, 2019 Cons: Not as clear to begin with. Can degrade from UV-A exposure (sunlight) More prone to being stained by dyes (though miles ahead of soft tubing) Can deform when a joint is under stress for long periods of time I don't think it's crystal clear but my PETG looks clear enough. So what's the opacity percentage difference between the two? Acrylics scratches so easy, the first time I wiped the oils from my hands stuck on the reservoir, it left the scratches from using a BRAND NEW microfiber towel. PETG tubing didn't scratch. My PETG won't degrade due to UV-A exposure, it will remain indoors for as long as I own it. LED light used for PCs do not emit UV-A rays powerful enough or none at all to stain tubing. Never heard the PROs complaining about stains caused by dyes. Acrylic takes 2, 3 times longer to bend. Oh! My PETG won't deform, I know I didn't cut it to perfection but didn't cut it to the point of under stress, because I measured the inside of the fitting and how much I needed and added what goes inside the fitting. It's like cutting PEX tubing, and I'm not even a plumber, but I learned. And using the tool I use to cut PEX, I used the same tool to cut the PETG. And ultimately why not use acrylic? Well.....JAYZTwoCents always use PETG over acrylic on his buils. He's somewhat the "guru" of Loop. PETG, I can see the cables and the PHANTEKS sliding panel edge, not clear enough? See the pic. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zotty Posted October 20, 2019 Share Posted October 20, 2019 And ultimately why not use acrylic? Well.....JAYZTwoCents always use PETG over acrylic on his buils. He's somewhat the "guru" of Loop.. every one has a preference., including Guru's.. my point being.. there is nothing wrong with either type. the OP should know that and not a simple no reason why and indeed shouted 'NEVER', imho. both do the job.. both have area's they need to be respected in. makes for a good read.. https://bit-tech.net/guides/modding/watercooling/water-cooling-with-hardline-tubing-guide-petg-and-acrylic/1/ is your build a bendless build? as in all fittings?.. looks clean Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nazgul Posted October 20, 2019 Share Posted October 20, 2019 everyone has a preference., including Guru's.. my point being.. there is nothing wrong with either type. I see, but my point is that Mr. jbarker4682 may not be a "pro" or somewhat knowledgeable about hard tubing, thus PETG is more friendly for first-timers and Alex Banks liking acrylic better can be summarized that it's because of its "clarity" (from reading the article) and nothing else, but the process for acrylic? it can be daunting for first-timers, such me too. Now that I know, after all, I still prefer PETG over acrylic. And yes, I don't think I have the patience nor the time for bending and the required heating-gun, so I decided to buy a few extra 90 degree fittings. $85.82 well spent. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zotty Posted October 20, 2019 Share Posted October 20, 2019 (edited) well i am no 'Pro'. and using acrylic and can assure you that its not as hard as the 'myth' says it is. i was going to do my current (still building) as all fittings and indeed bought enough to. http://i.imgur.com/qVCvkPwl.jpg but figured i would play with a few bends to see what all the hassle was about (this is all test fit) http://i.imgur.com/de4NnlEl.jpg http://i.imgur.com/LxD4pdOl.jpg so now i know its not the 'mission' the interwebz makes it out to be i will be doing the whole loop that way. very happy with my first bends in my first loop., oh and it didnt take ages or long.. i had those 2 bends planned/bent/fitted inside 10 mins tops aside from my rad joints of course lol they wont have any bends of course http://i.imgur.com/YBpQHzjl.jpg Edited October 20, 2019 by Zotty Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jbarker4682 Posted October 20, 2019 Author Share Posted October 20, 2019 Hey... thanks for the clarification... based on all the videos I watched on YouTube I've already gone with Corsair's 14mm PMMA tubing... I just didn't know if that referred to the inner or outer diameter as I'm trying to buy a silicone insert of the correct size... speaking of, does anyone her have any recommendations on a good place to buy a silicone insert, or a shaping kit that will fit 14mm OD / 10mm ID tubing? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jbarker4682 Posted October 20, 2019 Author Share Posted October 20, 2019 So crud... I just found out that PMMA means Acrylic... I thought it was a variant of PETG and bought the wrong type of cutting tool... Maybe that's why I'm having problems getting the tubes to seat properly in the fittings? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zotty Posted October 20, 2019 Share Posted October 20, 2019 A fine tooth (junior) hacksaw is whats needed for PMMA dude.. and a deburr tool to round the edges Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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