Beer line for corny and picnic tap

[humpty]

Just started down the Corny kegging route and trying to get everything set up right. I will be using the plastic picnic taps to start with and am trying to work out what size beer line is needed. I think I need 3/16 pipe to keep the run short, but is this 3/16 id or od? Americans seem to talk about id, while UK is od? And I have seen UK 3/8 od pipe which is 3/16 id. Help needed. I am using barbed connectors if this matters, not JG fittings.

[Will_D]

Hi Humpty, Welcome to the NHC!

For barbs its easy ID of tube should be just less than OD of the barbs!

Are both barbs the same size?

If so just go to Woodies or B&Q and get a metre or so of the PVC tubing. You want it to be a tight push fit onto the barbs. Use some hot water to help push it on. If its a good tight fit then there should be(?) no need for any hose clamps. They are hard to find for this size tube tho'

If different sizes (I doubt it) then you need to be a bit creative to get a tube to fit both barbs!

When you move onto John Guest fittings then all tubing and fittings are specified as OD. Most beer/gas lines and fitting are 3/8" but some commercial beer/lager taps use 5/16" but you can get the 5/16 to 3/8 reducers.

HTH Will

[humpty]

Thanks for that.

Both barbs are 1/4 inch so I think 3/16 should do it then. Or 5 -6 mm.
So if I need 3/16 id pipe, what would the od be? Everything on the web seems to quote the od but not id.
Does it need to be rigid tubing? Can I use it for gas line too?

Sorry for all the questions, I'm new to kegging.

[Will_D]

Both barbs are 1/4 inch so I think 3/16 should do it then. Or 5 -6 mm.
So if I need 3/16 id pipe, what would the od be? Everything on the web seems to quote the od but not id.

"If so just go to Woodies or B&Q and get a metre or so of the PVC tubing. You want it to be a tight push fit onto the barbs. Use some hot water to help push it on. If its a good tight fit then there should be(?) no need for any hose clamps. They are hard to find for this size tube tho'"

Do not use rigid gas/beer linbes intended for JG fittings! Use what I said above!