Band-It Tools

[somenerve]

We're looking into buying a Band-It tool so we can save a little Ching building our own hoses. However we're not sure what exactly to get. I've seen a "center punch" Band-It advertised on a hose site (http://www.jmesales.com/product/band...12614,8085.htm). Is that the proper kind to get for building brewery hose? (That word "punch" makes me a little nervous considering how spendy the hose is.) Anybody have any other tips/hints/tricks they'd recommend for clamping TC barbs on hoses? Max size hoses we will be building is 1.5" ID.
Am eyeing up this Novaflex 6500 hose for hot-side: http://www.thevintnervault.com/produ...Grey-Hose.html
Any thumbs-up or thumbs-down on that would also be appreciated.

[Starcat]

Also Interested

I have the question as well.
The tool you have shown is a type I have used in the past when working with Field Irrigation hose. IN that case we used aluminum straps, but they seem to work ok for that application. I'd like to know what others are doing for clean and tight assemblies. The punch action is basically what locks the strap and typically just forms a concave dip across the overlap.

[gitchegumee]

Up to you...

I like the Band-It tool #C00169. This tool can be used with several buckles that finish a bit differently. The punch tool puts a divot to lock band layers together. There's also a setscrew version for temporary bands. Personally, I like to use the tabs that bend over the tightened band assembly and the last bit of bent-over strap. They call them Ear-Lokt. That said, I have not used the Ultra-Lok buckles. They look pretty nice--next time I get around to it, I'll try those out. Be sure to practice once or twice to get the finish right. Put a small chunk of stainless tube inside the hose and cut with a chop saw and an abrasive blade. The ss tube helps keep the hose shape and you'll get a nice, square cut. I've found that 1/2" strap is limited to 1 1/2" hose at the minimum--1" is just too small to be workable. I like long hose barbs and two bands on each hose barb, placed 180 degrees apart. Wrap the strap twice around the hose to get much tighter assemblies. Every few years, cut the bands off, cut the hose ends off, and reband. Looking at the cut-off hose ends will let you judge how effective your banding technique and replacement schedule is.

[gbrower]

Band-it's work great for larger OD tubes. One thing that should be mentioned is that barbed ends aren't always the most clean. When you move the hose you can slightly open up the area between the barb and hose. I suggest compressed fittings on most sanitary applications. If you do go with the barbed ends I would put 2 bands on each end. One of the bands should be further down the hose so that area between the barb doesn't open up.

[Ted Briggs]

These are good: http://www.mcmaster.com/#standard-hose-clamps/=12v3h0c
Get the best tool, its worth the money. "Heavy Duty Installation Tool 5657K42 284.78"

But these are better: http://www.mcmaster.com/#standard-hose-clamps/=12v3hsm
Tool available there too.

Also- buy two bands for every hose nipple. Install one at the inner edge of the barb and one at the terminus of the hose. This is stronger/safer and also keeps gunk from building up inside the hose between the barb. Tighten so you can see/feel it indenting the hose, but not too much, as the better tools can actually tighten enough to crush/breakthrough the hose!