Tightening a tri-clamp

Donoroto

Donoroto

Moderator
Lifetime Member
Staff member
Established Member
Joined
Jun 21, 2020
Messages
5,836
Reaction score
9,795
Points
113
Location
Atlanta
If you use tri-clamps, just how tight do you tighten them? I mean, the default is "until they stop leaking", but I have lately been keeping them fairly loose, as it seems that really tightening them down is not necessary. Just a turn or so after making contact seems to be good, or?
 
the heat loosens the joint, just finger tight, you can use a screw driver as leverage if needed
 
I just snug them up. No extra effort. It really depends on the gasket material. I prefer the silicone ones.
 
I like the plastic ones only because it easier to assemble, I'm lazy
 
I generally snug mine lightly by hand but find after a day they will become nearly loose. Not a huge deal on my brewery setup but on my UNI tank when I'm trying to keep things closed off at the end of fermentation or during forced carbonation, they always need a 2nd good firm hand snuggling after a day. Occasionally I've had to use a screwdriver to get a stubborn clamp to seal well while under 5-10 psi but I think something might have been slightly off as it only happens once and a while and only to my 4" or larger clamps. This is mostly if not exclusively with my silicone gaskets. I only use the firm gaskets on joint i need to rotate like on my racking arm.
 
Donoroto said:
If you use tri-clamps, just how tight do you tighten them? I mean, the default is "until they stop leaking", but I have lately been keeping them fairly loose, as it seems that really tightening them down is not necessary. Just a turn or so after making contact seems to be good, or?
Click to expand...
Finger tight is good enough.
 
Ok good. I was mostly hoping that cranking them down was not the norm. It looks from their design that a little tightening exerts a lot (or at least 'enough') of pressure on the gasket.
 
Just barely finger tight. If you use the silicon gaskets, you don't have to reef on em.

Gaskets last longer if not squashed within an inch of Thier life.

Same for the cam style Q/D. Don't have to force em closed
 
Really only need to be more than snug on a pressurized line. Like any other connection the more force trying to get out, the more it takes to hold it in.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Copyright © 2007-2025 Brewer's Friend, Inc. - Send Feedback - Terms - RSS Feed - Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information

Back
Top