Guides

Which Thread Do I Have?

The three you'll meet most: NPT is the tapered pipe thread on most North American plumbing and pneumatic gear — it seals on the threads themselves as they wedge tight. GHT is the garden-hose thread — it never seals on the threads; the washer inside the coupling does all the work. NPS looks like NPT but straight — it needs a gasket or O-ring to seal, which is what the configurator's gasket seat feature is for. If a male thread gets noticeably tighter as it goes in, it's tapered (NPT). If it spins freely the whole way, it's straight.

Sizing a Hose Barb

Barbs are sized by the tubing's inside diameter, not the outside. Measure the ID (or read it off the tubing print) and pick that size in the configurator — the barb geometry, including the interference that grips, is derived from it. Softer tubing (silicone, soft PVC) seats easily; stiff tubing may want warm water before pushing on. A hose clamp over the barb never hurts.

Getting a Printed Joint to Seal

Straight threads: use a gasket. Tapered (NPT): a couple of wraps of PTFE tape, snug plus a quarter turn — printed threads don't reward gorilla torque. If it weeps, another quarter turn beats more tape.

More Coming

These guides grow as customers ask questions. Have one that isn't covered? Email orders@lakerprints.com and the answer may become the next guide.