My first job postponed by an hour this morning so I had some time to kill. this is my first attempt at filling a straw tube. I took mooshishoo's lead and got some Boba straws. Filling the straw with silicone directly from the tube proved to be difficult. It left too much silicone in the end of the straw and would not seal properly. So I started a new straw and use the handy dandy silicone applicator that came with the squeeze tube. As you can see, I mistakenly made the tuba quarter inch too long. I had to bend the end of the two to get it to fit in a regular Altoids tin. Later I will attempt to use this to inject GoJo hand cleaner into another straw. Sent from someone's plumbing using Tapatalk
So I came home and did a few more. GoJo hand cleaner, Teflon Thread Paste, and some Dielectric Silicone. All in the Altoids tin. You may notice the mini container of Epoxy...I got it at a yard sale and it has now been introduced to my repair kit, as seen elsewhere. The Teflon Paste is in a Wendy's straw(yellow stripe) I've found that it is much easier to fill a tube with silicone and thread paste, when it is open ended, and then I sealed BOTH ends. Also, if ANY "filling" was left on the inner wall of the tube, at the opening, it wouldn't seal very well. A cotton swab fixed that as previously discussed.
Whooo! Boba straws to the rescue! Great job, SAK! Yeah, if you haven't got an application tip of sorts (or a syringe), it'll create a vacuum if you've sealed one end, making it difficult to extrude the contents into the straw.
To get the dielectric silicone in a tube I actually used another straw as an applicator. I had a small round coffee stir straw from Hardee's(for expeiremental purposes). It fit the squeeze tube opening perfectly(almost) and allowed me to put the silicone directly into the bottom of it's straw.
Looks good SAK. I've used the "other straw as an applicator" trick too. I fill a long thin straw as best I can, even though it is sloppy, coated with gunk, air pockets, etc and then stick that into a sealed bottom, larger straw and squeeze the contents out from the thinner straw like a tube of tooth paste. For some gels, such as Vaseline, I liquify the product first by warming it in a "double boiler" [stick the sealed container in hot water for a few minutes.] Once liquified the stuff can be moved from tube to tube, or even sucked in (be careful or you'll get a mouth full of nasty stuff, especially some of those compounds you work with which might be carcinogenic if ingested.) Neosporin might work well that way too, but I have never tried that one.
I'd posted the beginnings of the "straw tube" blog post a few days ago. It'll be continuously in the works as more ideas, tips, and tricks pop up. Pictures would be appreciated (with permission and credit given, of course).
OK, the "Parafob" video is now up and running. I think its one of my best inventions, yet it is so quick and simple! The video includes a detailed construction tutorial, as you requested, but it sort of assumes the viewer already knows how to bundle rope using the technique called a "fast rope" or "hayanawa". There are other "How to" videos on YouTube if more help is needed on that part, but I'm thinking most people won't need any help beyond just watching me do it in my video. Here's the dedicated thread I've started for my "Parafob" thingy. P.S. A follow up video will show how these straw tubes we are talking about in this thread can be easily stored inside the parafob, such as the fire starting kit or fishing kit straws I showed earlier. This makes the fob into a "Survival Parafob"...
For PJCB's has anyone tried the "PJCB's on Steroids" in a straw yet? (From http://bushcraftusa.com/forum/showthread.php?t=2903) - Basically add Magnesium powder or shavings to PJCB's, so it burns hotter. An interesting idea Also, heat shrink tubing could be used to "safe" the '+' side of a battery, with something like a cardboard disk to finish covering the button. (Or you could use a piece of plastic, for example cut from a milk jug etc.) - You don't have to cover both ends. Wrap the battery with a turn or 3 of paper so that, after shrinking, it's a slip fit on the battery? Haven't tried that as I use plastic battery carriers a lot, but in an Altoids tin etc. it'd be smarter to "safe" it.
found 100 of these at an estate sale, may go back tomorrow to get more they had like 6 sealed bags. all are new and each have their own cap that snaps shut and make them waterproof. I like that I can fill these with anything and don't have to pinch and burn anything. If anyone wants some I can ship you out a few for a buck+ shipping.
Never even heard of such a thing but looks like the Moo knew: http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/HEARTHROW-SCIENTIFIC-TUBES-MICROCENTRIFUGE-9NUL0?gclid=COq_gZjvybACFYje4AodO1NqMQ&cm_mmc=PPC:GooglePLA-_-Test%20Instruments-_-Laboratory%20Supplies-_-9NUL0&ci_src=17588969&ci_sku=9NUL0&ef_id=0BtP19K3GwIAAAOO:20120612233727:s
Yep! Know about them all too well... had to use hundred of them while learning how to splice DNA. Fun stuff... I never really did think about using lab equipment for EDC purposes. But it makes sense considering that they're very well made and a lot of the stuff is indeed leakproof.
here is one of a few packs im making for my edc bag, this one alone saved me 1.3 lbs and alot of room. Triple antibiotic ointment Burn gel (aloe) Gold Bond body powder witch hazel A&D ointment still have goo gone, iso alcohol, sewing kit, fishing kit, sunscreen, salt, and a few other things im loading in these, these are really great no leakage and re-sealable.
Thanks for sharing, djren12! Neat idea you've cooked up there. I'll ask around the bio department and see if I can get my hands on a few. Probably will go for a couple of the larger ones.
I take it these conical containers are ridged. That would make dispensing the gels a bit awkward because one can't squeeze the tube like toothpaste. It might be best to carry some q-tips to reach down inside.
