This month we share some handy tricks and tips used by our technicians when working with the various types of fittings. Over the years, these tricks help to make the tubing connections easier and more secure. For more information on the types of fittings check out our Practice Tips Archives (Issue #5: A Brief Introduction to Dental Fittings). When using barb fittings a number of additional steps can be helpful.
Fitting Tip #1
Rather than pushing the sleeve all the way over the tubing, pull the tubing through the sleeve. Once you’ve got the tubing pushed through a little bit, just grab the tubing with a pliers and pull it through as far as you need. You can get more leverage this way.
Fitting Tip #2
When connecting multi-line tubing (such as foot control or syringe tubing) use a sharp knife or dental tubing splitter to cut the area between the lines and pull them apart. Once the lines separate, also trim the excess material from between the lines with a knife. The excess material makes it extremely difficult to get the tubing through your sleeve clamps.
Fitting Tip #3
Dipping the tubing for a few seconds in hot water softens the tubing, making it easier to slide over the barb. One of our techs will occasionally use coffee, not only does the heat soften the tubing, but the oil will act as a lubricant as well. You can also lubricate the barb with liquid soap to slide the tubing on.
Fitting Tip #4
Always make certain to slip the sleeve clamp over the tubing before sliding the tubing onto the barb. If installing onto an air/water syringe, also make certain to slide the syringe handle over the tubing first.
Fitting Tip #5
When initially installing the sleeve clamps onto the tubing, slide the sleeve clamp on the water line farther down the tubing than the sleeve on the air line. This helps keep track of which line is which, so you don’t connect backwards and need to re-attach.
Once you have your sleeve clamps on the tubing, slide the tubing onto the barb but only about half way. Once you push the sleeve clamp up, it grabs the tubing and pushes it the rest of the way. If the tubing is already fully seated when the sleeve is pushed up, the tubing can “bunch,” making it very difficult to fully seat the sleeve.
Fitting Tip #6
Another common multi-line item is the foot control. For foot controls with 3 or more lines, the smaller lines need to attach to secondary valves under the “dome” of the foot control. They could also be located on the sides or back of the block, so these lines will need to be longer than the larger main air lines. In such cases, connect the smaller lines first and then trim the larger lines shorter to avoid kinking or bunching the tubing under the dome.
Fitting Tip #7
For some items with barbs grouped too closely together to use sleeve clamps (e.g. handpiece blocks), you can use tie straps to hold the tubing in place. When using tie straps, be sure to fully seat the tubing and use a pair of pliers to cinch the strap as tightly as possible.
Fitting Tip #8
Sleeve clamps will be tapered at one end and cut square at the other. The tapered end should be placed toward the barb when installing tubing onto a metal barb (you’ll need more “give’) and the square end should be placed toward the barb when attaching to plastic barbs (as the barb will “give”). See image below.
Fitting Tip #9
When attaching tubing with a compression fitting, one or two wraps of Teflon tape over the smooth internal fitting helps provide a good seal once the tubing is seated. As with barbs, be sure to slide the nut and compression sleeve over the tubing before you attach the tubing to the fitting.
Fitting Tip #10
Once you screw down the nut, be careful not to over-tighten. You could crack the plastic sleeve. The nut should be securely and firmly tightened, but do not use a tremendous amount of force.
Fitting Tip #11
If replacing tubing in an old fitting, sometimes a new nut and sleeve will be required. The plastic sleeves can wear or distort over time.
Tools When Working With Fittings:
Regardless of the tubing fitting type, always use the appropriate tools. The handy tips above will help you with working with fittings and allow you to make simple repairs easier.
Sleeve Tool: Pushes the sleeve clamps into place. It works better than trying to push it on with just your bare hands or a slip-joint pliers.
Open-End Wrench: Always for use with the nuts of a compression fitting. Never use a pliers. Pliers can strip and mar a nut, rendering it useless. They do not give as much leverage as a proper wrench.
Sharp Knife: Invaluable for trimming excess tubing. For smaller supply lines (3/8” o.d. or less) a diagonal wire cutter works very well to cut the line. A strong scissors also works (such as our utility shears), but for the smallest lines, a wire cutter usually works better and gets into tight spaces easily.
- If re-attaching an old line, trim the tubing back a few inches to get a fresh end. With age the tubing can stretch or distort where it had been attached and may not stay secured if re-attached.
- If purchasing new tubing, always measure your old tubing first. It’s usually a good idea to add an extra foot or so as well to provide a margin for error. It’s always easier to trim the tubing a little than to try to stretch it if you’re a little short.
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