Out Of Round Tubes? Part 1

Why take the time to fix a tube? 

This was an older, OOP kit. The older brown tubes feel stronger, they might have a smaller percentage of recycled fibers. I don't know! I thought it would be worth a try. 

Maybe you can fix an older out-of-round tube and assemble the kit using the original parts.

    

Oh Boy! We've all been there - 

You buy a kit through Ebay. It is listed as sealed.

The bag is opened. 

All the parts are there, including some out of round tubes! 

These tubes are soft ovaled - not sharply creased or bent.

I wouldn't try to save a tube that had a crease, where you could see cracks in the tube. If the tube is folded, the fibers are broken.

The Kraft tubes have have some "memory" if the fibers aren't broken.

I had a long 50 tube size coupler.

I didn't want a tight fit inside the BT-50 tubes.

I sanded the coupler sides a bit smaller using 220 grit on a block.

The coupler was slid into the tube. The coupler extended beyond the end of the tube.

Some water was heated in a pan to a low boil.

Notice the steam.

Hold the tube about 2" above the lip of the pan.

Some of the steam will be absorbed into the tube. You don't want the tube wet! Just a slightly damp.

The coupler slid in the ovaled tube helps force it back to a rounder shape.

More tomorrow: