What type of tubing does everyone use for vacuum infusion and where is the best place to buy it? I have been looking on usplastic.com and there are a ton of options! Do I need tubing that can withstand a complete vacuum or is there a cheaper option that works? I like usplastic since I live in the USA and they have a lot of fittings, but i’d like to know where everyone gets there supplies. Thanks
Daniel
I typically use polyethylene tubing purchased from McMaster Carr PN 5181K26 $0.28 per foot for 0.5" O.D. X 0.375" I.D. Depending on where you are located you may recieve it the next day after you order. You can also try MSC Direct or Grainger. In any case I would request catalogs from all 3 of these companies just to have as references.
McMaster Carr seems to be a very well organized site. Thanks for telling me about it. I looked at the tubing you mentioned, and it says it is supposed to be used with compression fittings and not rated for a vacuum…does that matter? I thought everyone pretty much used barb fittings?
The tubing I mentioned works very well with barbed fittings and will not collapse even at full vacuum. FYI, I occasionally leave panels under vacuum over the weekend, with the pump off, and when I come in Monday morning there is no loss of vacuum.
The vacuum rated polyethylene tubing that McMaster sells is much harder and is very difficult to use with barbed fittings.
I am having my own tubing made, after I could not find anything affordable… Same with spiral.
I use 3/8" LDPE 1/16" wall thickness. Holds up well, even up to 140f.
Lowes sells 3/8 PE tubing in the plumbing section. 1/8" wall and it’s affordable I think .28 per foot. I see on their website they have 1/16 wall for .22 per foot.
(HeyBen) You are referring to PEX tubing, right? If so, that comes in 1/2" and 3/4" as well.
No, they also have regular polyethelyne on rolls along the bottom shelf under the brass fittings in my store. 1/4, 3/8 and maybe 1/2. It is the stiff opaque stuff, but they have some clear softer tubing as well.
I want to say the PEX has different I.D. than the tubing on the rolls.