22 replies to this topic

[fruitfulsteve]

Hi All
I have recently discovered that i have a source of HDPE tube (offcuts from gas main installations), the 2" stuff is pretty much perfect for commercial 2" shells, but the 3" 4" and 6" is in each case a few mm larger I,D than a perfect fit for commercial shells although i'm sure if you cut the tubes a little longer you should still be able to reach a decent apogee '?'
On the plus side if your naughty enough to be making ya own especially canister shells i'm sure they'll be perfect.

Anyway i don't want anything for these,but you will need to collect from Uxbridge Middlesex. This is not likely to be a endless supply so if you want some PM me.

Also i'm looking for someone that can supply decent quality bespoke end-plugs in sensible quantity's as i would like to make a few mortars for myself.

[Mortartube]

I used to fire 3, 4 and 6 inch shells from that tubing with no problems at all. They were never a snug fit except the 2".

[RFD]

same as you Mortartube,good thick walled tube,yes it is bigger than normal size but as my quickmatch is quite thick, it saves a lot of pushing and shoving to get to the bottom of the tube,a bit of extra lift powder makes up for the slack fit,as for end plugs Steve, i just jigsawed them out of 1" thick ply,a bit fiddly but unless you are planning on making dozens it didn't take long.

[phildunford]

I turned mine up from those solid bits of wood you get on pallets - the bits that hold the two halves apart...

[fruitfulsteve]

I used to fire 3, 4 and 6 inch shells from that tubing with no problems at all. They were never a snug fit except the 2".

Used to ? just out of interest is their a reason you stopped using them ?

[fruitfulsteve]

Thanks guys I did think of the ply perhaps glued together with water resisting PVA I've also had resin suggested. i'll try both i see some mortar testing in my future!! any excuse

Unfortunately i don't have a wood lathe, otherwise pallet cube things would be the way to go.

[crystal palace fireworks]

I turned mine up from those solid bits of wood you get on pallets - the bits that hold the two halves apart...

Whats the best method to secure them in place within the tube?

[phildunford]

I have to say my gut rule of thumb (!) is that the plugs ought to be as long as the bore if they are made of wood. Might be OTT for a 6 though. I fix with resin glue and screw or nail as well.

[Atom Fireworks]

I work with this very pipe, and the water industies P.E pipe aswell, i have all my racks kitted out with these tubes, I havent had a problem with loose fitting shells as the difference really isnt that much. I have fired many shells from mine and never had a low break.

To plug them i just cut up a thick walled P.E pipe and cut square sections out of the wall, then rounded them of on the band saw, finally a quick go on the linisher to taper them and round them off, whack em in with a pump hammer 4 screws and jobs a gooden fixed forever The 2" tubes are a snug fit, 3" are a little loose but the 4" tube i use is also a snug fit perfect size, except once you go above 4" they are really not that practicle for proffesional use due to weight.

Hope that helps and if you want i could manufacture a hand full of plugs for u, they wont be factory finish or perfect but they will do the job just fine. I will try n take a pic of one of mine n post it up if you want?

Jay

Edited by dumper truck, 12 November 2010 - 02:41 PM.

[RFD]

Two pieces of 1"ply glued/screwed together works for me,i did paint edges to stop moisture delaminating the ply,i also used coarse pitched galvanized screws through the sidewall(decking screws i think) into the ply as normal woodscrews dont grip end grain very well.

[megabusa]

I use this tube also.

For plugs, I use a length of wood that is 1.5 times the diameter of the tube. I cut it with a hole saw, then epoxy resin it in place.
To be sure the resin gets a good bite, I drill loads of 4mm dia holes into the wood plug about 3mm deep. Then I cut several grooves around the inside of the HDPE tube with a grinding bit on the drill. I coat the plug & inside of the tube with resin, insert the plug & leave to set.

When it is set hard, I also drill 6 holes (2 rows of 3) into the tube walls & wood plug & then fix it with no. 8 screws.

These are rock solid

[Mortartube]

Used to ? just out of interest is their a reason you stopped using them ?

I used to run my own display company, but no longer do, so I gave them away to another company when I gave up. I had no problems with the tubes that made me stop using them.

[c.brad]

hi does anyone live in hampshire near southampton that can get some of these pipes as need new pipes

[Mortartube]

Talk to your local water board or gas board, they sometimes have a scrap pile you can get them for free or low cost. Some scrap yards also chip it for recycling.

[c.brad]

cheers for the info i will check them out