aluminium and copper tubes?

[CB]

I've just been 're-lining' the aluminium tubes I had because I wasn't happy with the way the heads were melted on the lining.

If I have to do the lining myself anyway next time I might as well buy aluminium and copper tubes in bigger lengths and cut them myself. Question is, where to get these? Is there any regular use for these things that makes it an easy available item? I've been thinking of trying some copper brake liner for cars and motorcycles, seems about the right size? How about aluminium tubing?

Thanks

[madkeen]

Nov 24, 2009 18:58:00 GMT CB said:

I've just been 're-lining' the aluminium tubes I had because I wasn't happy with the way the heads were melted on the lining.

If I have to do the lining myself anyway next time I might as well buy aluminium and copper tubes in bigger lengths and cut them myself. Question is, where to get these? Is there any regular use for these things that makes it an easy available item? I've been thinking of trying some copper brake liner for cars and motorcycles, seems about the right size? How about aluminium tubing?

Thanks

Model making shops sell this type of tube and works out a bit cheaper as well.

[colin]

Nov 24, 2009 19:05:16 GMT madkeen said:

Nov 24, 2009 18:58:00 GMT CB said:

I've just been 're-lining' the aluminium tubes I had because I wasn't happy with the way the heads were melted on the lining.

If I have to do the lining myself anyway next time I might as well buy aluminium and copper tubes in bigger lengths and cut them myself. Question is, where to get these? Is there any regular use for these things that makes it an easy available item? I've been thinking of trying some copper brake liner for cars and motorcycles, seems about the right size? How about aluminium tubing?

Thanks

Model making shops sell this type of tube and works out a bit cheaper as well.

That's right, a model shop is where I get most of mine from. Or you can buy lengths from mchardys of Carlisle and they provide the portex liner with them included in the price. 7/64" or 3/32" are the ones I use mainly or you can use 1/8" but I find these too big for most things I want, in fact I don't really use them.

[CB]

Thanks guys, I'll have a look in a hobby shop next time I'll be around one.

Copper brake liner is 3/16" so a bit on the big side for most tubes I'd like to tie, I was hoping there would be easily available alternatives in smaller sizes in both alu, copper and/or brass. Thanks for the tip on McHardys, just looked in their catalogue and you're right, hadn't seen this before

[colin]

I think the stuff they sell in model shops is used for fuel pipes in petrol radio control cars and other vehicles.

I forgot to say that for the 7/64" or 3/32" tubing it's size 8 portex that you want to use, or at least thats the size that Mchardys sell it as. This is probably the size you have got if you have been re-lining your slipstreams.

I've got a question of my own for anyone who cuts their own tubing. When I cut it to length I measure out the length I want and then take a Stanley knife blade (with insulation tape wrapped around one half of it so as not to cut my fingers) and score the tube by rolling it back and forth. Once this is done I take the two ends of the tube (an end in each hand) and break where has been scored. Now if you had scored enough you should get a clean break. But my question is, do you guys then just line the tube or do you take some of the sharp burs off the edges of the tubes first?? As I used to just line but noticed that the edges were quite sharp and while the lining covered most of this I was still worried that the line could somehow still come in to contact with the sharp edges or even that thy could cut through the liner.

Maybe I'm just being paranoid but having a sharp edge like that so close to something as vital for landing a fish as your line worries me slightly. I have tried quickly taking a file to the edges and this does help to take the worst of it of. But just wondered if anyone else does this or if you have any other ideas that you use?

[mo]

Nov 26, 2009 12:29:25 GMT colin said:

I think the stuff they sell in model shops is used for fuel pipes in petrol radio control cars and other vehicles.

I forgot to say that for the 7/64" or 3/32" tubing it's size 8 portex that you want to use, or at least thats the size that Mchardys sell it as. This is probably the size you have got if you have been re-lining your slipstreams.

I've got a question of my own for anyone who cuts their own tubing. When I cut it to length I measure out the length I want and then take a Stanley knife blade (with insulation tape wrapped around one half of it so as not to cut my fingers) and score the tube by rolling it back and forth. Once this is done I take the two ends of the tube (an end in each hand) and break where has been scored. Now if you had scored enough you should get a clean break. But my question is, do you guys then just line the tube or do you take some of the sharp burs off the edges of the tubes first?? As I used to just line but noticed that the edges were quite sharp and while the lining covered most of this I was still worried that the line could somehow still come in to contact with the sharp edges or even that thy could cut through the liner.

Maybe I'm just being paranoid but having a sharp edge like that so close to something as vital for landing a fish as your line worries me slightly. I have tried quickly taking a file to the edges and this does help to take the worst of it of. But just wondered if anyone else does this or if you have any other ideas that you use?

Colin,

I cut mine using a Stanley knife as well, and when you snap them in 2 there is a sharp burr left, which could well harm your leader. I don't think your being paranoid at all. I remove the sharp edges with a wee file, and then go over the edge with a fine emry cloth, or sand paper. I then line the tubes, and they have no sharp edges or burrs, that could effect the leader during fishing. Better safe than sorry, I think.

[CB]

Thanks for the tips colin, much appreciated! I actually ordered some #8 portex with my last order from McHardies but got a note from John saying they were out. I used the xs eumer tubing, works well and seems to make a nicer collar then the portex tubing when heated. Plus you can get it in several colours.

I said I wasn't happy with the collars on the slipstream tubes, that was the reason to replace them but upon removing them I wasn't happy with the tubes being rather sharp either so I sanded all the edges down over some fine sandpaper. Not sure if it's absolutely necessary but it worked like a charm and gives some piece of mind, I'd hate to loose a fish because the tube I tied on wasn't up to sniff!

Maybe a tip for everybody who's going to do this and uses a needle to hold the tubes. When you line the tubes before tying the flies put a small dab of super glue on the outside of the liner before sticking it into the tube, that way the tube won't rotate around the liner while you're tying

[weefrankie]

Small tapered jewelers pin file ebay for inside
mate sometimes lines his tubes /bottle tubes with guideline eumer colored tubing

[daijones]

Nov 24, 2009 18:58:00 GMT CB said:

I've just been 're-lining' the aluminium tubes I had because I wasn't happy with the way the heads were melted on the lining.

If I have to do the lining myself anyway next time I might as well buy aluminium and copper tubes in bigger lengths and cut them myself. Question is, where to get these? Is there any regular use for these things that makes it an easy available item? I've been thinking of trying some copper brake liner for cars and motorcycles, seems about the right size? How about aluminium tubing?

Thanks

Christian, here is a link to a guy on ebay, that i buy my tubing off. he dose copper/brass and alli. the size you will want is 3/32

cgi.ebay.co.uk/3-32-BRASS-TUBING-PIPE-Model-engineer-Live-steam_W0QQitemZ110463417850QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Trains_Railway_Models?hash=item19b821fdfa

Hope this helps.

Dai.

[CB]

Thanks Dai! I'll be around the hobby shop here later this week so will see if I have time to pop in and look for some tubing, if they don't have what I'm looking for I'll get these in stead. So far I don't think I've been able to click on your links without ending up buying something