SpudFiles

So Im working on a BBMG flamethrower-type setup, and I pretty much have it all finished, but I cant get it working due to the air hose.

I have the hose connected to the gun and a CO2 tank via braided high pressure hose and hose barbs. Upon first opening the valve on the CO2 reg, the hose simply popped off the barb and started flailing around.

To solve this, I went out and bought some small hose clamps. After fitting them, the hose didn't pop right off, but instead simply leaked like crazy. After doing a little reading on the internet, I realized that I may have been screwing up the seal by having the clamps too tight.

After experimenting with loosening them to various degrees, I have it leaking less, but still significantly enough that the BBMG is inoperable.





Any ideas/solutions? Am I doing something wrong here? It leaks at any PSI, and I plan to run the BBMG at around 100-120 PSI, so its not exactly a super high pressure setup.

Compression fittings would work much better at higher pressures, just make sure you ge the ones with the inner support sleeve

how tightly does the hose fit over the barbs?

Don't do this unless its a last resort, but just put jb weld on the barbs, then slide the hose over, then clamp and leave. Let sit for 24 hours, and then see if it works. I did that with epoxy for my first pneumatic rifle, and it worked. Yet again, follow others advice first, and if you cant find a solution, try this. Just be prepared to buy more parts if you mess it up.

It could be that the particular hose you have is not designed for use with hose barbs. That happens sometimes.

jackssmirkingrevenge wrote:how tightly does the hose fit over the barbs?

Very tightly, its takes considerable effort to get it off.

Lockednloaded wrote:Compression fittings would work much better at higher pressures, just make sure you ge the ones with the inner support sleeve

Thanks, Ill try this.

One option is to take it to a hydraulic/refrigeration specialist. They have the tools to properly crimp high pressure hose fittings. They work with hydraulic hose and car AC compressor hoses all day. No leaks is part of what they do.

I was never able to get barbs to seal. Try compressions...