sherirandy Posted March 5, 2004 Report Share Posted March 5, 2004 Guys I have some generic questions for tube makers: How many dips do you do? Do you dip the entire leangth? and the most important. How are you getting your tails so thick? and How are you cutting them? Thanks so much Randy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nova Posted March 5, 2004 Report Share Posted March 5, 2004 I just started dipping tubes in the last few days as well. The number of dips determines the thickness of your tubes. As for the tails too thick; only dip to the total length of the tube two times and this will keep your tails from being too thick. They will cut a lot easier. I made a tail cutter with zip knife blades and I'll post some pics of it soon. I can cut about a dozen tubes at once. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dtrs5kprs Posted March 5, 2004 Report Share Posted March 5, 2004 Two dips is usually about right on the tails, around 3-5 for the body. Rotary cutters are the way to go for the tails. On tubes generally: If you don't enjoy it, don't do it, because there are lots of cheap places to buy good tubes. Have made a bunch, but can't really say I like mine any better than BPS, Lucky Strike, Pheonix, etc... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Teamdiarrhea Posted March 5, 2004 Report Share Posted March 5, 2004 Here's my method, makes good Gizzits but you're not going to make a bunch in a hurry..... Rolling Gizzits I like lots of salt, makes the coats of your dips thicker plus makes the tails cut better - I also use a little hardener, I'm not one for measuring real accurately but approximately 1 oz hardener to 4 oz plastic. I use camping type salt and pepper shakers, thin aluminum that have screw on tops - they are perfect height for 3-1/2" tubes - take the tops off and throw them away. Fill the cups 1/2 full - the first dip, stick the rod all the way to the bottom and stir up all the salt, take it out and hang it - I do 10 at a time so repeat the process for all 10 rods. This should give you a good base for the head of the tube, 1-1/2" to 1-3/4" long. The second dip, stick the rod all the way to the bottom of the cup again and stir up all the salt, remove the cup from the burner, tip the cup as if you are going to pour the plastic out, but stop before the plastic hits the edge of the cup (keep the rod in the cup and be careful, hot plastic on the thigh of your jeans doesn't feel good, but if you can get your pants down quick enough it will be limited to 1st degree burns only). Keeping the rod in the surface layer of the plastic, roll it between your fingers, back and forth so the rod gets even coverage. When you get desired thickness hang it again. With a little plastic hardener and lots of salt you can have good thickness with two dips. I actually call it "rolling" Gizzits as it's not actually dipping the rod into a deep pot of plastic. I like to let the "tubes" sit before cutting the tails, letting the plastic get to full hardness. I'll usually pour 50-100 at a time, pile them up like cordwood, then come back and cut them the next day. I can't figure out how to put a picture on here of my tail cutter, maybe you guys can help out? Looks like I have to have an http address for the image? Not smart enough to do that. Anwyway, like most I sandwiched several razor blades together with machine screws, using small machine washers in between each blade for spacers. I attached the blades to an flat aluminum rod with a pivot at one end - the pivot is attached to a heavy wooden cutting board that I'm not supposed to have... On top of the board I tacked down some rubber gasket material with nails. I have the blades set so that they are flat when they hit the gasket material. Every 5 cuts or so I drip cheap fish scent in between the blades so the tails pull out easier. Place an uncut tube in the right place on the cutting gasket material, bring the blades down on top of the tube properly positioned, then quickly and firmly pop the blades through the tube - the tube will actually make sort of a "pop" when cut quickly like this. Lift the blades up, grab the tube and gently pull it out from between the blades. That's "all" there is to it! Now, with all that being said, I'm honestly with Dave anymore. Prices now are so low, and colors so plentiful I rarely make tubes any longer unless someone wants a special color. My tubes are almost identical to BPS and you can buy them in their sale catalogs $1.99 per 10 pack. Take care and have fun, sorry about the long post, I got on a roll.... Team-D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nova Posted March 5, 2004 Report Share Posted March 5, 2004 Here's that pic of the tube cutter I made. It's 7"x12". The blades are 1/8" apart. I lay out 10 or so tubes in postion then I pull the roller over them pressing the tubes down into the blades. Works pretty good but I used the small zip blades on this one; the next one I'll use the larger blades. I used a hacksaw to cut the slots for the blades then I epoxyed them in place. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KickerWormz Posted April 6, 2004 Report Share Posted April 6, 2004 i purchased a tube mold from delmart.com. He doesnt have a tail cutter yet but i made one of aluminum and a bunch of razor blades...it works real well...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Delta Boss Posted May 17, 2004 Report Share Posted May 17, 2004 can you show or tell how you made that tube cutter it looks great thanks TAYLOR Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crawfish Posted May 20, 2004 Report Share Posted May 20, 2004 The way we cut our tubes is take carpet blades, mount them on a "U" channel and then mount the channel onto a can crusher. This is a lot easier on the arms and you don't have to apply as much pressure. You can build one for around $20.00. Hope this helps. Later, Gary Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
