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Steamed gum tape tubes


BetICouldMake1

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Somewhere I remember reading about dry rolling tubes with gum tape and then steaming them in a double boiler or slow cooker to activate the adhesive. Has anyone done this or can you point me to the thread? I've tried searching the forum but can't find anything. Probably user error but I can never get the search function here to play nice for me.

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Biggest issue I see is that tools are a fixed size and truly round, but unless wound on a mandrel tubes are not perfectly shaped.

Maybe you should try something before you comment on it.

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Biggest issue I see is that tools are a fixed size and truly round, but unless wound on a mandrel tubes are not perfectly shaped.

I'm not sure what your criticism is. The tubes are still wound on a mandrel, just not fully glued until briefly steamed. Wet rolled tubes are not (at least commercially) dried on the mandrel.

 

I rolled some tubes last night and set them on a double boiler for maybe 10 seconds. Tubes set up nice and hard in just a few hours, no swelling or warping. I did give each one a quick twist on the mandrel to ensure the inner layer was down flat.

 

If you're rolling small tubes for spolettes, inserts, or bottle rockets this is an awesome way to get nice tubes with no mess and without the dreaded telescope tube.

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