Paintball

[Mespllingesnogud]

Can copper tubing be used as a replacement to macroline? I have found 1/8 copper tube that is rated at 2000psi+, but I can't find rated 1/4. The 1/4 Copper I have fits my macro fittings perfectly, but I do not want to air it up without knowing the pressure rating.

[souz4402]

you should never use anything but macroline for macroline fittings

mixing different types of gas fittings with line will often result in damage to your self...even 450 psi will not feel good on the skin

the macroline fitting has a set of grooves that pinch into the plastic tubing when you first air up the marker...im guessing when i say that those same grooves wont properly seat into the harder copper line

also bending the copper tubing will weaken its structure if not done properly with a tubing bender

[Mespllingesnogud]

Your probably right. The tubing stays in as a normal hose (can't pull it out), but I won't risk it. Compression fittings would probably be fine, but I still don't know the pressure.

[HP_Lovecraft]

Keep in mind that LARGER tubing has a LOWER PSI rating, for a given thicknes. You didn't say if the 2000psi is the burst, or working rating. That would effect the outcome.

I've seen lots of people used copper-tubing in the old days. my experience is that it does seem to hold the pressure, but TOO SOFT for use in paintball, since it is easily dented.

Also, the push/pull macroline fittings are likely only rated to 300psi. It makes the discussion on safety seem kinda silly. CP fittings are much stronger in that regard, but hard to use, so nobody likes them.

[Mespllingesnogud]

The working pressure for the 1/8 copper was definitely over 2000 PSI.

You know for the longest time I was looking for non paintball fittings that could be used instead of the stuff you buy from a paintball store. I could never find anything even close to the $5 mark that could handle 800 PSI, and now I know why.

http://www.clippard.com/store/byo_tu...&sku=3811-1-RL

Max is 2500PSI, burst is 10,000 PSI.

[adam45]

Copper is really soft and would bend or flex every time you air up. Eventually the shock loading will break it and you may not have your gogs on at that time. It could break from snagging it on something or even just squishing it at the bottom of your bag. I wouldn't do it.

[Kodiak]

I recommend you use stainless steel hard line instead of copper. It's stronger, won't bend as easy AND will not corrode over time like copper will.

[Mespllingesnogud]

I have about 50 feet of copper tubing, so I was just thinking maybe I had found some cool cheap alternative to macro. It's probably just as cheap to buy non paintball "macroline" in bulk. Maybe I can even find something rated to the correct pressure?

[Tohri]

Mcmaster-carr has nylon tubing that is actually stronger than most kinds of 'paintball' macroline. I bought 10' of it for 15$ a while back, still have not gotten close to using it up: It never bursts on gun. Doesn't wear out, As far as I can tell.

And yes, Those macroline fittings are NOT rated to anywhere near 800psi.

[Uranus]

Do you remember the part number for Mcmaster? I tried to order some a wile back, and was confused with all the different types they had. I kept finding stuff with a max psi of 200.