So Simple You Probably Never Thought Of It

Bob Korves

Bob Korves

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I used to do a fair amount of work on aircraft. There are lots of things on aircraft that need to be cleaned, freed up, and/or lubricated, and they are usually deep down in a wing or fuselage with an access hole slightly bigger than your arm. The same sorts of things lurk in our shops. Spraying from a distance just wastes what you are squirting and leaves a nasty, gummy mess when it dries. The out of focus photo shows two of these high tech devices, one made from Tygon tubing, the other made from medical latex tubing, both very thin walled. They are about 30 years old and still going strong, but not as flexible as when new. I roll them up and hang them on a nail in the spray can storage area. Simple and quick to swap in and out as needed. Make at least one that is longer than your arm, and also versions with long and short tubes on the business end. Only downside is that it takes two hands to use, though sometimes another body part can be used to bump the valve. Why spray an ounce and make a mess when you can give it a couple drops in the precise place needed with this simple tool? Did I mention that I am frugal? Spray cans last me for decades...
 
How/where do you find such tubing?

Great idea! Thanks for sharing.
 
jfcayron said:
How/where do you find such tubing?

Great idea! Thanks for sharing.
Click to expand...
Good question! I don't remember exactly what I have. Here is one place with a bunch of choices:
http://www.mcmaster.com/#standard-plastic-and-rubber-tubing/=z9l5z5

I just measured one of the red plastic straws at about .085", which means you will be looking for 1/16" I.D. tubing. Pick something thin wall, flexible, stretchy enough to push over the straw, and oil resistant. PVC, Neoprene, and silicone would all work. Just need something that stretches but does not take a set. Reinforcing strands in the tubing probably might not let it stretch enough to go over the straw. No for sure to Teflon, polyethylene, and the like. Cheap is not a bad thing, either...
 
I have don that when needed. As for where to get the tubing, if you have a hobby shop near by is one some crafts stores carry it also.
 
You can use wire insulation also for an extension in a pinch. Find the right size and strip off about 8". Solid wire works best.
 
That's a really great idea, thanks for sharing!
 
Napa, vacuum rubber hose for AC servos. Another source is 2 cycle fuel line clear
sold by the foot....................
 
Another old trick has come full circle.

"Billy G"
 
Neat trick. The tubing for windshield wiper fluid may work.

David
 
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