How the #*@k do you remove oetiker clamps?

[SGTSparty]

I noticed when setting up my new 4 body regulator in my kegerator last night that one of my gas lines leaks at the QD. I bought it pre-assembled with tube attached by oetiker clamp to a barb/swivel nut which screws into the QD. But now its leaking and i'm pretty sure the oetiker is too loose so I want to replace it with a worm/hose clamp but how do you get those oetiker clamps off?

 

[Bowtiebrewery]

cut em off. Use snips:

 

[BorderBrewer]

 

[SGTSparty]

Great, Thanks for the help guys. I was trying to wedge a small flat head into the crimp to loosen it. Had none chance of that working. I'll attach the overlap this go round.

 

[LLBeanJ]

Yeah, you gotta break 'em. I usually just break off the crimped part with a pair of side cutters.

 

[Howhownow]

Pretty much how I do it.
They make a good seal but those buggers are kind of a PITA.

 

[SGTSparty]

Pretty much how I do it.
They make a good seal but those buggers are kind of a PITA.

I was heading this direction last night because I couldn't find/lost my snips an none of my other tools seemed to be doing the trick.

 

[UndeadFred]

If you have the PEX crimp tool that puts them on, the easiest way to to clamp on to the crimped part like you are going to try to crimp it harder (don't-- it won't work) and twist the tool back and forth until you snap off the crimp. Otherwise use the big cutters or a Dremel with a cutting wheel...

 

[hunter_le five]

Try swearing more. You gotta get creative with the vocabulary.

 

[Newsman]

Yep. Take off and nuke 'em from orbit -- it's the only way to be sure.

 

[SGTSparty]

Try swearing more. You gotta get creative with the vocabulary.

7 years army, two combat tours, my vocabulary is colorful in several languages so I don't think that was my limiting factor

 

[SGTSparty]

If you have the PEX crimp tool that puts them on, the easiest way to to clamp on to the crimped part like you are going to try to crimp it harder (don't-- it won't work) and twist the tool back and forth until you snap off the crimp. Otherwise use the big cutters or a Dremel with a cutting wheel...

Unfortunately I don't have the crimper, I bought these assemblies pre-assembled which is the problem. I don't own a Dremel and i can't find my snips/cutters. I'm not a very handy person and SHMBO is convinced if I try to be I'll irreparably hurt myself or the house so not a lot of call for many tools prior to the kegerator build.

 

[k1ngl1ves]

Oetiker clamps hold a much more reliable seal than worm clamps, if installed properly. I don't use worm clamps for anything beer related anymore, and don't recommend them.


Go buy some common hand tools for around the home. You're gonna need them anyways. It's only a matter of time before swmbo comes up with a new home project. Lol!

Make sure to get a side cutter and a nipper to use with Oetiker's...

 

[UndeadFred]

Unfortunately I don't have the crimper, I bought these assemblies pre-assembled which is the problem. I don't own a Dremel and i can't find my snips/cutters. I'm not a very handy person and SHMBO is convinced if I try to be I'll irreparably hurt myself or the house so not a lot of call for many tools prior to the kegerator build.

Okay.. do you have a normal pair of pliers? If so get on them the same way I suggested with the PEX crimp tool and twist them back and forth and up and down... eventually you will break them off. replace with a stainless hose clamp. I agree if put on correctly on PEX they are bulletproof.. and on a beer item that is the correct diameter, they are bulletproof. A lot of LHBS type suppliers use them on stuff that will never work or don't crimp with the proper tools so they fail. In your case use the hose clamp since I don't know the application...

 

[SGTSparty]

Okay.. do you have a normal pair of pliers? If so get on them the same way I suggested with the PEX crimp tool and twist them back and forth and up and down... eventually you will break them off. replace with a stainless hose clamp. I agree if put on correctly on PEX they are bulletproof.. and on a beer item that is the correct diameter, they are bulletproof. A lot of LHBS type suppliers use them on stuff that will never work or don't crimp with the proper tools so they fail. In your case use the hose clamp since I don't know the application...

I do have needle nose pliers, I'll definitely try this when I get home. The application is that I have a leak between my gas line tube and my quick disconnect in this region:

I don't have oetiker clamps or a crimper so I'm going to replace the oetiker clamp with a worm/hose clamp.

 

[Natdavis777]

Ive used the oetiker tool to remove the clamps, but some needle nose work well too.