WTB: Tubes for case building.
- Thread starter Wes Moran
- Start date
JB Cases has sold tubes, and interor to aspiring case makers...
case tubes
You may also want to be more specific about the types of 'tubes' you're looking for. PVC tubes? 2x4, 3x6 JB style? Justis style? GTF/Centennial/Fellini? It's George style? Kelli tubes?
If you're just getting started, a simple way is to take apart something cheap and use the interior from that. J&J cases pop up often here on AZ or you can search eBay or Craigslist as well.
You may also want to be more specific about the types of 'tubes' you're looking for. PVC tubes? 2x4, 3x6 JB style? Justis style? GTF/Centennial/Fellini? It's George style? Kelli tubes?
If you're just getting started, a simple way is to take apart something cheap and use the interior from that. J&J cases pop up often here on AZ or you can search eBay or Craigslist as well.
I've bought tubes from Dennis swift, here's a like to his website. http://casesbyswift.com/home
His phone number is on there just him a call.
His phone number is on there just him a call.
Sorry...
I just assumed some of the guys would just shoot me PMs I wasn't full expecting responses but since I got them here we go...
Cyrex...Thats basically what is happening...I already own an Elite 3x5 that basically has met all my needs until now (I bought another cue and now need a 4x8.)
Anyway, the basic idea is, Im comfortable with my Elite 3x5 and have no need to go by a $500 plus case...I like the case that I have a great deal...what Im not happy about is that my vintage cues get banged around in the case because there is a lack of padding in the two one piece injected molded forms.
What I would like is to get individual pvc tubes that I can design sleeves for, insert into each tube, and then bind the tubes together.
The problem is...I can't find any decent thin wall PVC anywhere near where I live. So I was hoping that I could just find some here from case makers that have already taken the trouble out of finding the right parts.
I just assumed some of the guys would just shoot me PMs I wasn't full expecting responses but since I got them here we go...
Cyrex...Thats basically what is happening...I already own an Elite 3x5 that basically has met all my needs until now (I bought another cue and now need a 4x8.)
Anyway, the basic idea is, Im comfortable with my Elite 3x5 and have no need to go by a $500 plus case...I like the case that I have a great deal...what Im not happy about is that my vintage cues get banged around in the case because there is a lack of padding in the two one piece injected molded forms.
What I would like is to get individual pvc tubes that I can design sleeves for, insert into each tube, and then bind the tubes together.
The problem is...I can't find any decent thin wall PVC anywhere near where I live. So I was hoping that I could just find some here from case makers that have already taken the trouble out of finding the right parts.
I will second that:thumbup:
I just put a couple of cases together using clothe covered PVC tube that I bought at Home Depot. 3/4" for the shafts 1 1/4" for the butts. The wall thickness on both is about 0.07".
Are you looking for thinner wall than that?
Are you looking for thinner wall than that?
Well....
Actually no.
What I have is .08" wall thickness which is fine....I just cant find any 1 1/4" I.D. tubes the only thing I can find is 1 1/2" and that just gives me a lot of extra room I'm looking at having to fill. I guess that wouldn't be to bad...I need to find a foam padding for the liner tho if thats the case. Anybody got suggestions...I was thinking I could go to a local automotive upholstery shop and see if I can find a foam head liner....these are soft cloth covered.
Then the other problem is looking for the schedule 160 in a 3/4" diameter.
Actually no.
What I have is .08" wall thickness which is fine....I just cant find any 1 1/4" I.D. tubes the only thing I can find is 1 1/2" and that just gives me a lot of extra room I'm looking at having to fill. I guess that wouldn't be to bad...I need to find a foam padding for the liner tho if thats the case. Anybody got suggestions...I was thinking I could go to a local automotive upholstery shop and see if I can find a foam head liner....these are soft cloth covered.
Then the other problem is looking for the schedule 160 in a 3/4" diameter.
You really want schdule 160? That is very thick and heavy.
Here is a quick link I found with schedule measurements.
That make more sense. Post up if you find something else to use. I was thinking of making a simple storage case that will never leave the safe.
Lowes!
If you have a Lowes by you, they carry a nice line of tubing also. They won't come lined or cut to length like you're looking for, but if you put in a lil bit of work, you could have exactly what you need. I'm hoping to find a good supplier of case-making items also...But I'm more looking for more than just tubes if anyone knows where I could contact about such things. Thanks, Jeff
p.s. Sorry I couldn't help more buddy, just giving you more options than just Home Depot in case you don't have 1 in your area
If you have a Lowes by you, they carry a nice line of tubing also. They won't come lined or cut to length like you're looking for, but if you put in a lil bit of work, you could have exactly what you need. I'm hoping to find a good supplier of case-making items also...But I'm more looking for more than just tubes if anyone knows where I could contact about such things. Thanks, Jeff
p.s. Sorry I couldn't help more buddy, just giving you more options than just Home Depot in case you don't have 1 in your area
Everything you need to produce the interiors of multi-tube cue cases can be found in hardware stores and distributors.
Here is a manufacturer who provides a way to search for distributors of their product.
http://www.jmeagle.com/distributors/
For the butts you want plumbing tubes and for the shafts electrical tubes if you are going to do them the same way that Flowers, Justis and Swift have done their cases.
If you want to go lighter weight but also with less impact and crushing protection then look for PE tubes.
For those you will probably need to go to the companies that produce them and find out who is distributing the sizes you need.
I think of mine in mm - 40mm ID for the butts and 23mm id for the shafts. That's how I bought them in Europe. I bought mine directly from the manufacturer.
Here I buy from hardware distributors or from another case factory depending on my needs.
I have no interest in selling any of my stock of these tubes at the moment.
Here is a manufacturer who provides a way to search for distributors of their product.
http://www.jmeagle.com/distributors/
For the butts you want plumbing tubes and for the shafts electrical tubes if you are going to do them the same way that Flowers, Justis and Swift have done their cases.
If you want to go lighter weight but also with less impact and crushing protection then look for PE tubes.
For those you will probably need to go to the companies that produce them and find out who is distributing the sizes you need.
I think of mine in mm - 40mm ID for the butts and 23mm id for the shafts. That's how I bought them in Europe. I bought mine directly from the manufacturer.
Here I buy from hardware distributors or from another case factory depending on my needs.
I have no interest in selling any of my stock of these tubes at the moment.
Interior tubes
Just go to any HD or Lowes and tell them you need 3/4" and 1-1/4" thin wall sprinkler pipe. It comes in 10' lengths and they have tons of it. The gray electrical pipe is schedule 40 and weighs way to much to use in a cue case. Neither Jay, Dennis or I have ever used the gray electrical pipe. Some Swift cases did use 1" for the shaft tubes which is too big IMO.
Just go to any HD or Lowes and tell them you need 3/4" and 1-1/4" thin wall sprinkler pipe. It comes in 10' lengths and they have tons of it. The gray electrical pipe is schedule 40 and weighs way to much to use in a cue case. Neither Jay, Dennis or I have ever used the gray electrical pipe. Some Swift cases did use 1" for the shaft tubes which is too big IMO.
That's right, I should have clarified that the Schedule40 electrical pipe is not what I meant. In Europe, where I started building cases the electrical pipe is thin walled and light weight. I didn't know about "sprinkler" tubing but if that's what you used in the cases then that's what I meant.
Try contacting your local plastics distributer. We have a local company called "Plastics Unlimited" that has PVC in any length, diameter, and thickness you could ever want.
In case you don't have anything local, Plastics Unlimited will probably ship anything you want. Try giving them a call at 508-752-7842. Ask for Wendy and she'll take good care of you.
Here's a link to thier site: www.plasticsunlimitedinc.com