6 replies to this topic

[Remzak]

I build model planes as a hobby, and to launch glider I use silicon tubing. The silicon tubing is cheap, stretches well, and has a high draw weight when pre-extended. This is in my opinion a superior alternative to bungees, and a cheap alternative to latex tubing. It comes in two sizes, 6mm and 8mm and cost either 4$ or 7$ for 10 METERS. Need I say more?

6mm tubing:
http://www.hobbyking...Start_Cord.html

8mm tubing
http://www.hobbyking...Start_Cord.html

I have only tried the 6mm tubing, but next time I place a Hobbyking order I will definitely buy some 8mm tubing. I conducted a few tests to gauge the properties of the 6mm tubing.

Stretch Distance:
I cut a 6 inch piece, and clamped an inch, leaving the stretchable length to 5 inches. I then stretched it to it's limit, which was as advertised, 30 inches. It stretches at a 6:1 ratio! The pre-extension capabilities because of this ratio are fantastic. See pictures below.



I was unable to stretch it to 30 and take a picture at the same time, but I do in the video.

Stretch Weight:
This was a much less scientific test. I took the same 6 inch piece, clamped an inch, and put it through the center of a ten pound weight. It still had a little bit of stretch left in it. Super scientific. See photo.


Practical test:
Next I decided to overpower my beater Snapbow. It has performed very well with three lengths stretched to 4.5 times their original length. It had an easy, smooth prime, and was still penetrating cardboard with stock darts out of a four dart RSCB. I put on two more lengths, stretched to a full 5.5 times their original length. The prime was almost impossible, but as you will see in the video the power was insane. It shot invisibly fast out of an empty RSCB with stock darts. See video. After 5 shots however, I managed to break my catch. (EDIT: I managed to strip the plunger head wing nut) With pre-extension it is easy to get lots of power.

Conclusion:
Watch the video to see for yourself, but in my opinion HKTS is a fantastic alternative to standard latex tubing, both in price and power, especially the former. I will order some 8mm tonight, I expect it to have about twice the power of the 6mm tubing.

Edited by Remzak, 22 January 2016 - 10:06 PM.

[The2ndBluesBro]

What's the durability (as in, retained elasticity, temperature resistance, stretch length/time until snapping and overall durability) compared to latex tubing? Has any long-term data been mined yet?

[Remzak]

I have had this tubing for over a year, no noticeable change. It is silicon, so it should be fairy good, and I believe it is treated for UV resistance. I have NEVER broken any of it. Worked fine at a war last week when it was 25 degrees.

Edited by Remzak, 22 January 2016 - 10:05 PM.

[Doom]

The age of the tubing is less of a concern than how many stress cycles it has been through. Silicone (silicon tubing does not exist to my knowledge and seems to be a typo on Hobby King) rubber can be pretty good in this regard from what I've read, but I've never seen comparisons with latex rubber. No time to look right now, but I'll post again if I find anything along those lines in the future.

[Draconis]

I bought some of this after seeing this thread.  I have used it to replace the worn out tubing from a Zing bow, and it works great.

[CaliforniaPants]

I bought some of this after seeing this thread.  I have used it to replace the worn out tubing from a Zing bow, and it works great.

do you think it has enough in it to replace broken LOTR blaster tubing? I keep forgetting to buy the surgical tubing style stuff to replace whats there but if this is better than why not.

[Draconis]

do you think it has enough in it to replace broken LOTR blaster tubing? I keep forgetting to buy the surgical tubing style stuff to replace whats there but if this is better than why not.

 

I expect so.  The draw length required for this stuff to reach the same distances is about half that of a standard Zing bow.