Rubber Bit Protectors
opipeman
Master
This is probably a dumb question, but here goes anyway. Is there a method that can be used to secure rubber bit protectors to small width pipe bits?
Comments
That would probably be me. I’ve found some stems to be too thin for the soft bits so I looked at alternatives. Some people use electrical tape, but I didn’t like the taste or leavings adhesive in the stem. I bought a pack of assorted shrinkwrap tubing at Lowe’s. It comes in assorted diameter. I found a diameter that I could stretch out and pull over the bit. It’s tight enough where you don’t have to heat it to keep from slipping and easily removed with an Exacto blade. It’s not nearly as thick as the rubber bits but still gives you a little cushioning.
Thanks, I'll look into finding some. I wonder if you could use both the shrink wrap with the rubber protector over the wrap? I knew I would find an answer from the resident pipe gurus.
BTW, these rubber bits, many from our "friends" in China, come in varying qualities. Avoid the really cheap ones, which are of questionable quality.
"Made in China" is not how I prefer to spend my money, but its the only game in town for a lot of products. I had to swallow hard, and it took months to get. I won't be buying anymore.
Thanks. I've never seen these before.
This is what I'm talking about with the shrink wrap tubing. I only use it on my vulcanite stems and it's actually almost paper thin compared to the thickness of the softy bits. Just be sure to by the black. You should measure the width of your bit and buy the tubing that is close to it. I found you can cut the length you want and it can actually be stretched a little to fit over a stem. I also wash mine in warm water before applying. I don't heat the tubing to shrink it either, that makes it harder to get off later.
It comes in different colors also. I buy the black.
https://www.lowes.com/pd/Raychem-5-Count-9-5-Millimeters-Mm-0-375-in-Heat-Shrink-Tubing/999978146
Over the last few months, I've become that way myself. My original motivation was to avoid the expense of having to replace stems.
<< Today's Pipe Smoking Tip: A lot of pipe smokers (myself included), have a hard time telling the difference between a shiny black vulcanite stem and a shiny black acrylic stem. But did you know that it is actually very easy to tell the difference? There are, in fact, two sure fire ways to do it, even if both stems look shiny black. Take a bright penlight and put it right up to the acrylic stem. You will note that as you run the penlight up and down the length of the stem, the color is a uniform slate gray. Now, do the same thing with a vulcanite stem. You will immediately note that the color of the vulcanite stem looks brownish under the bright light. And, depending on the sulfur content, the color may vary a little as you move the light up and down the stem. Another easy way to tell the difference between vulcanite and acrylic stems is what I call, “the smell test.” First, grip the vulcanite stem firmly in one hand and then place the thumb on your other hand firmly down on the top of the stem and rub back and forth vigorously for about ten seconds. Then, put the rubbed part of the stem up to your nose and take a whiff. You will immediately note a burnt rubber smell. When you do the same thing with an acrylic stem, there will be no smell at all. >>
I hope that by including the URL I avoid copyright issues.
Per the advise I received from several of our brothers on thispipelife I purchased some Softybits at sofetybits.com. It took a long time to receive them, but they are outstanding. They fit all sizes of pipe bits that I have, and I highly recommend them. They cost a little more, but they are worth every penny.
I agree. I have had to have so many bits replaced that I have almost chomped through. One day i realized, I could spend that money on new pipes. I also like the feel and it protects the pipe. Who knows my widow may want to sell them and this will help her get top dollar. She has such a loving and considerate husband.
https://softybits.com/
Amen!!! I refuse to knowingly buy anything from China!
I have Softy bits on all my pipes and like the way they keep me from teeth marking the bits. On small bits, I have applied heat shrink tubing first then the softy. Helps keep the softy from moving.
I also use softy bits on most of my pipes because I wear full dentures. And on the smaller stems I have used shrink wrap tubing without a problem. I will have to check into the food grade tubing.
One thing I do with the softy bits is remove them when I do a "deep cleaning" of my pipes and sterilize the bits before replacing them.
I use shrink tubing under the softy, so I doubt that any toxicity puts me at risk given that tobacco is entering my mouth. Reminds me of all the smoke eaters I served with that smoked cigarettes. They would say that they inhale more toxic smoke in 15 minutes of fighting a fire than smoking a pack or two of cigarettes a day. Its hard to argue with that logic, of course they are all dead now.