This one is a goodie! After a "few" years and a boo-boo or two, here is what I do for tubing insertion onto (and removal from) glass barbs:

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Tygon tubing: insertion onto glass is done by wearing cloth gloves (not nitrile). A small application of hexane to the tubing itself will soften (but not degrade) the tubing to allow a easy, quick insertion. The tubing will form a nice fit on the barbs. Removal is done (wearing the above gloves) carefully by (unfortunately) making a vertical notch along the tubing with a razor (or a scissor blade). Place the glassware on a firm surface (not in your hands) when doing this.

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This will take time and practice, but once this is done no problems should occur. But always anticipate the glass will break. With gloves, it is better to have the glass break than your fingers getting sliced.

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PTFE tubing: insertion onto glass is done by wearing cloth gloves (not nitrile). Here I pass the tubing over a heat gun, which warms the tubing enough to glide over the barb. Removal can be accomplished in the smae (and careful) manner as described above. 

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Final note: Upon placing the tubing onto your barbs, please use a hose clamp to secure them. I would suggest to NOT use simple copper wire in a trash-bag tying form as this will break down over time.

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It would be nice if I could upload a video of these procedures to a shared server....Seeing it is better than writing it down.

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Hope this helps!

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From: DCHAS-L Discussion List [mailto:DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**LIST.UVM.EDU] On Behalf Of ILPI
Sent: Tuesday, November 10, 2009 12:09 PM
To: DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**LIST.UVM.EDU
Subject: Re: [DCHAS-L] Tool selection for removing hoses from glassware

The better solution is condensers that have removable hose connectors.   See, for example, http://www.safety emporium.com/?CG-1213-A-HC-01 or look on http://www.safetyemporium.com/ILPI_Site/WebPagesUS/lab/condenser.htm for additional styles.

Disclaimer: I'm the owner of Safety Emporium.

Best wishes,

Rob Toreki

----- Original Message -----
From: "Kimberly B. Jeskie" <jeskiekb**At_Symbol_Here**ORNL.GOV>
To: DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**LIST.UVM.EDU
Sent: Tuesday, November 10, 2009 12:16:30 PM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern
Subject: [DCHAS-L] Tool selection for removing hoses from glassware

We=E2=80=99ve been looking hard at our hand injuries lately and are focusing on cutting tool and glove selection.  One thing in particular that we haven=E2=80=99t been able to come up with a good solution for is a tool that works well for removing tubing that has basically seized or "become one with=" the glass connections on condensers, cold fingers, etc.  I=E2=80=99m sure you=E2=80=99ve seen this before and most people reach for their pocket knife or a razor blade.  It generally ends badly.  Either the blade slips or the glass breaks and in either situation we end up with stitches.  Anyone found a tool that works better under these conditions?

 

Kim

 

Kimberly Begley Jeskie, MPH-OSHM

Operations Manager

Physical Sciences Directorate

Oak Ridge National Laboratory

(865) 574-4945