Macro Or Steel?

[Rock Star]

well i was just wondering if it mattered just had some extra time on my hands. maybe we could get someone like Vegeta to explain this matter to our little unsoignificant brains. :) so which gets more flow? which is more reliable? Does the flow rate change between them? im sure there are other types of ways to get air to the valve. well Thanks for the time!

[Redkey]

with your free time

you can figure it out on your own and report back.

http://www.efunda.com/formulae/fluids/calc_pipe_friction.cfm

I think that formula assumes constant flow... which is not the situation in a pb gun. During the firing process, not matter how fast the gun is running, the air flow will be a series of pulses. I'm sure there is an equation for that as well.

However, since both types of pipe are smooth walled and the pipe lengths are very short... unless you are running a remote. I think you would be very had pressed to find a measurable difference between the two types of pipe/tube.

If you are truely concerned about flow... use larger diameter pipe/tube with smooth walls and try to eliminate all non-straight sections of pipe. Not sure on the details but one 90 degree bend will have something like a 30% reduction in flow... I suppose I should look that up before posting...

Anyhow... use pipe/line and fittings that are rated to safely take what ever pressure you are subjecting them too.

I use 1/4" SAE J844 Type A PA11 (DOT 1913) air brake hose. It comes in pretty colors too.

Jack

[MikeCouves]

I belive it is personal preference for hoses. A microline can shoot 13 BPS, I have seen it happen. As well can Macro and Steel Bradied. I prefer macro because it looks nice and is semi durable. Steel braided looks a little ugly but is much stronger and durable. The problem with micro is that it is rally weak and kinks very easily, that's why I stay away from it.

Personal preference...

[Rock Star]

Well i think i figured that macro is smoother thus creating less friction on the air to line. keep em postin!

[steveg]

considering that braided steel line is macro line with
stainless steel wire braided over it than the flow will
be much the same. The braid is there to protect the inside
plastic pipe

[J]

...Though a SS line could kink, decreasing the flow. I don't think macro can kink. (Though I perfer SS due to the fact that macro HAS blown on me, first time messing up my barrel... kinda of a grudge-thing, but still SS works)

[Expalien/XPM]

I personally like macroline better than stainless steel. IMHO, macroline looks better than SS. And it's a lil' bit lighter (probably not noticable, though). And yes macro CAN kink, it's happened to me before

[cphilip]

I'm moving this to Main.

[wolverine85929]

I would have to say SS for durability. I had a SS line on my mag for 9 years and finaly had to replace it. It started to leak. can macro or micro last that long?

[pntbawlrmz]

First off Expalien love the pic!!!!!! Funny site hey??? How many people have had macro blow, what happens exactly and why, does it just get old or is it something else???

[Mr. Grumble]

I don't use SS, micro, or macro. I'm running with flexible black hydraulic line. 12" length, 1/8" npt pressed fittings, and 2500-psi working pressure. It has a higher burst rating than the brass 90s most paintball shops sell.
-Mr. Grumble

[Snooky]

um steel hose is pimped so use that. that macro stuff looks wimpy and isnt as durable. just my opinion.

[Cardinal_Biggles]

The Reason Macro Is Satan!

While fiddling with my brother's cocker on our roofed patio, the macro line fitting blew. Up. The metal sleeve blew out of the 90* fitting and blew a 5 inch hole in our lovely roof. Both my brother and myself had been standing around the 'gun at the time, so it was a miracle it didn't blow a hole through either of us. We both went and got ss the very next day. I don't care what kind of flow either of them has, or which one looks better. If it kills you, your pretty plastic hose won't do you any good.

[314159]

after i just finished cleaning up/retiming/fixing a friends autococker, we go on to the back padio to try it out. (my friend being impatient, we go out before the tank is in the cradle). one of my other friends fires a string of paint. the guy that owns the autococker says let me see, grabbing the autococker, ripping the macroline out of the tank. the tank leaps from the guys hands that was just firing it. and it spins off putting 2 gashes in my back.

i guess i can say i got lucky.

[MikeCouves]

Lol that sounds a little far fetched 314159. So it took off and hit you all because of the macro line? Lol okay, if you put macro on right it does not come out!! The macro elbow locks onto the macro line very tightly. You can hold on to the macro and swing it around and it will not come off! And if you're that nervous about it, all you have to do is glue the macro into the fittings and get a QD so you can remove it all. Well macro is not ugly either...

You can cover SS with something so it's not so ugly. They should try and make a black steel braided, it would be hard but I sure would buy it!

Also macro is easy to get cut to the right size, you don't have to worry about getting the wrong size because you can just cut it with some good scissors or knife.

IMO macro is the best out of them all, because micro is so damn weak and kinks easy, and leaks often if you take it out of the fitting, and steel is ugly and scraped your gun up. Macro macro macro!!!