Tubes

[Coosa Redeye]

I am sure that this has been asked before. I am trying to make tubes using the vertical dipping method. The question that I have is this: Do i need to turn my rods upside down once I dip or leave them upright? On my 1st attempt, the tubes had no uniform shape.

Thank you in advance for any and all tips and shared knowledge.

[JSC]

Bojon is the man on the Tube Work .. maybe he will chime in.

JSC

[jimcline]

My answer is no, don't turn them upside down. Dip them and then hang them with the solid end down. This will allow them to "run off" naturally. You will have a little nipple on the end, but just snip it off and you're done. If your first attempts had no uniform shape, my guess is that you turned them upside down and they just ran the wrong way, so to speak. Just curious, are you dipping multiple rods at once or one at a time? If you're dipping one at a time, you're better off doing it by horizontal dipping. As mentioned in the last post, Bojon is the real guru when it comes to tubes. I know I have leaned a bunch from him. Hope this helps, JIM

[TTDuckman]

I have yet to see a production dipped tube with either a nipple or an area where a nipple was snipped off. There has to be a way to dip these things without a nipple forming.

Tim

[jimcline]

I have yet to see a production dipped tube with either a nipple or an area where a nipple was snipped off. There has to be a way to dip these things without a nipple forming.

Tim

Tim, I don't believe he stated that this was production dipping. Maybe you saw something I didn't. I'm sure there is a way to get perfect tubes without nipples, but not to my knowledge if your hand dipping. If there is a way, I'm sure someone on here will know.

[TTDuckman]

jimcline,

I probably shouldn't have put the word production in the sentence as it caused it get off point. There are a lot of hand dipped tubes that I have seen from several small makers and not one on the rack has a nipple or sprue cut mark. My point is that there has to be a way to do it, or you wouldn't see tubes in your local shops that have rounded ends. I am about to put in a lot of time on trying to make flipping tubes. I have hand poured soft plastics for several years and know that this is a different animal all together. I am merely stating that there has to be a way to do it, or you wouldn't see them. If it is a trade secret, I completely understand there not being a lot of information on it. I will figure it out eventually, just wondering if anybody had an idea that could shorten the learning curve.

Tim

[Zbass]

It can be done. It is a timing thing. At least the way I did it is. Keep in mind that I am doing this with one tube at a time using bojon's horizontal method of dipping. It would be difficult to do with multiple rods to say the least. I just wait until the plastic is slowing down on the dripping end to a syrup consistency, then flip upright. You have to keep an eye on all sides and hold it perfectly vertical for a few seconds. Here is a pic. Hope that helps.

http://i614.photobucket.com/albums/tt226/zbasser/baits/creatures/12-6-08001a.jpg

[bojon]

If you find that the cut mark at the nose objectionable,you could do as zbass suggests,but it is slow to do that.I think most of the tubes like you want are molded,rather than dipped.If you have a large enough pan,you can dip half a dozen tubes at a time.I have done it in the past,but really didn't see a big time savings.Of course molding still would be the best if you need what you want,but be prepared for a steeper cost,for a minor cosmetic effect.

[jimcline]

If you find that the cut mark at the nose objectionable,you could do as zbass suggests,but it is slow to do that.I think most of the tubes like you want are molded,rather than dipped.If you have a large enough pan,you can dip half a dozen tubes at a time.I have done it in the past,but really didn't see a big time savings.Of course molding still would be the best if you need what you want,but be prepared for a steeper cost,for a minor cosmetic effect.

I gotta agree with Bojon. A mold would be much easier and faster. I believe that Bear has some new injection tube molds coming online if they're not already. JIM

[Coosa Redeye]

Thank you for the responses. To answer some questions, I made a little rig to vertical dip 4 at a time. I am using an energy drink can to dip in for the 1st dip. To get additional colors, I am using a 2nd can with a different color Plastisol. I just wondered if I let the Plastisol get too fluid. Perhaps, I should have dipped sooner, or maybe I did not pat off enough worm oil from the rods.

I am trying to do this to prove to myself that I can.

I have noticed that kmolds has 2 different molds for tubes, but dipping seems cheaper.

Thanks again for the input, knowledge and suggestions.

[bojon]

Horizontal dipping will give you a lot more options on color variations,and good control of the tempature of the plastic,and the stirring of the salt,and glitter.Sorry I'm a horizontal dipping nut.