Stainless Steel Tubing Types

[Bobstin]

Hi everyone!

I am working on a new SS build (see PVC mock-up below), and was confused by the options in terms of stainless steel tubing.

Looking at the McMaster Carr Pages #1 #2, there are three options I am considering - the Welded Stainless Steel Tubing, the Smooth-Bore Seamless Stainless Steel Tubing, and the High-Polish Stainless Steel Tubing for Food, Beverage, and Dairy.

The high-polish is considerably more expensive, and so I was wondering if it is worth buying for use on the hot side, especially since I will have threaded fittings in the system (plan is to use cam-locks to connect the valves to the tubing). On the other hand, the welded tubing is for use "When your application does not require a smooth interior", which concerns me. There doesn't seem to be any information on the smooth bore tubing.

What type of tubing is most often used in this situation?

Thanks!
Bobstin

 

[DVilleBrewing]

Most often the polished, or sanitary, is used in beverage applications, along with tri-clamps. The welded I would not use at all....very rough on the inside, along the welded seam. Smooth bore would probably be ok. HOWEVER, you may want to look at pipe, instead of tubing, if you are using threaded connections.....tubing would require an adapter everywhere there is a threaded connection. Tubing and pipe are also sized differently, tubing size is measured by the outside dimension, pipe is measured by a nominal size of the interior, depending on thickness.......confusing, isn't it!

Tony

 

[Special Hops]

If you are spending the money for polished tubing why would you have threaded connections?

 

[DasBierBaron]

You can avoid threads and still use cams. Just use the barbed cams on your hoses and cam to TC adapters on your gear. Teflon tape is the tool of the devil!

 

[mattd2]

As others have said if you are using threaded fittings then you need pipe not tube. A lot of places that sell the pipe fittings will also sell barrel nipples in various lengths which may be best for you since you would not have to pay to get them threaded or for the threading tools. The ebay store I sometimes buys fittings from sells the nipples in 2, 3, 4, 6 and 8 inch lengths.

 

[Bobstin]

My current plan is to solder on cam-lock fittings to the tubing on the hot side, and solder on tri-clamps on the cold side. Since everything connecting directly to the tube will be soldered, I think tubing is what I need, correct? Thinking of using these fittings: Camlock TC. Then on the threaded side, using threaded to female cam lock.

Agree on trying to get rid of the threaded connections, but I can't find electrically controlled TC butterfly valves at a reasonable price - would be interested if you know of a source.