Glass tubing

I'm considering using 3/8" i.d. soft glass tubing instead of waterproofing for weed pot holes. Thought to cut to length and melt/pinch one end. Good/bad idea? Anyone know a small quantity source? Lab supplies I've found are pricey and only sold in large lots.

Turn to Safety, Arch Fortiter

"Arch" wrote: (clip) Thought to cut to length and melt/pinch one end. Good/bad idea? ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ The main problem I see is the possibility that the closed end will wind up being slightly larger/wider, or distorted, so that you will need an oversize hole in the wood. To overcome that, I suggest first drawing the heated tubing to reduce the diameter at the point where you are going to cut it. Are there any neon sign companies around your area? I'll bet their garbage would be full of off-cuts.

Arch:

Being a thrifty soul myself, I have found that the high grade tubing (vinyl/plastic/reinforced, whatever looks right) sold at HD works fine.

Cut the tube for lenght, then stop up one end with silicone. If you have someone that actually uses these for real flowers and will want to wash these plastic tubes on occasion in the dishwasher, make sure you use high temp silicone found at the auto parts store.

Out of all these I have made, I'll bet only one or two has actually seen water. They are either left empy (depending on the wood) or have silk flowers in them.

Robert

Leif

Leif

A quick froogle finds Corning glass test tubes in a variety of sizes at under $40 for a package of 72.

Thanks All, What do you do to finish or decorate the orifice of the hole in your candlesticks or weed pots? Nothing? Embellish the wood? Brass candle inserts? What else? Why?

Turn to Safety, Arch Fortiter

I use glass test tubes. I buy them at the link listed below. The nice part about it is that you can buy in very small quantities plus 4 sizes to choose from with and without a rim. Good luck...here is the link:

I guess if I was selling a bunch of them, I'd go with the metal inserts that Lee Valley and Penn State sell..

mac

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Char the part you can see before the poly. Looks nice with the dark hole.

Good idea.. I'll have to try that!

mac

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