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Frustrated First Time Hoop Maker....

topic posted Mon, April 28, 2008 - 9:56 PM by  Wendy
Hello fellow hoopers!

I just made my first hoop (YAY!) However, I ran into a completely unexpected problem. I've searched past tribe topics for similar issues, but haven't found anything on the topic (which baffles me further.) I though I'd turn to you fabulous people to lend some insight. I'm having a problem getting the right connector to fit in the corresponding tube size.

I did a bunch of research before plunging into hoop making and felt extremely prepared to embark in the adventure. After much searching I was able to find 3/4",160 psi poly tubing. I purchased some 1/2", 100 psi for some experimenting too. I bought the connectors in both sizes (3/4 and 1/2") both in plastic and in metal. My problem came when i tried to insert the 3/4" connector into my 3/4" tubing. First i tried heating the ends with the blow dryer. I held it there for 5 mins and couldn't even image the connector getting close to fitting. I moved on to boiling water. I emerged the ends in boiling water (for an extremely long time) and tried to insert the 3/4" connector to no avail. My husband was also lending a hand and he couldn't come close to fitting the connector in either. Finally, out of frustration, I tried to fit in the 1/2" connector to see if that would work. After some difficult manuvering, we were able to squeeze the 1/2" connector into the 3/4" tubing. I mean, it took some effort to get that 1/2" connector in there.

I've never hear of anyone having such a difficult time getting those connector into the right size tubing (1/2" tube = 1/2" connector, 3/4" tube = 3/4" connector.) But it seemed like an impossible feat to get that 3/4" into that tube end.

The hoop, however, feels great. It feels secure and is perfectly round. It's still cooling, so we'll see how it is in the morning. I hooped with it and its fantastic. But I'm not sure what to do. I wanna make a million more, but don't know if I should proceed using the 1/2" connectors on the 3/4" tubing.

Thoughts?
posted by:
Wendy
offline Wendy
Los Angeles
6 friends
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  • Caro...
    Caroleeena
    offline 410

    Re: Frustrated First Time Hoop Maker....

    Mon, April 28, 2008 - 10:21 PM
    I don't use the hair dryer method. It takes longer and uses a lot more power. Hair dryers really, really suck the electricity so from a sustainability perspective, they are not ideal. They also heat the tubing unevenly. Instead, I boil a pot of water. When it reaches boiling, I insert one end of the tubing into the water for 20-30 seconds. Then I remove it and while it's still wet and insert the connnector. Then I insert the other end into the water for 20-30 seconds and then insert the connector into that end. I'd recommend trying that. It heats the tubing all the way through and makes it very pliable. Then, as it cools, it cools around the connector, causing it to really grip the connector. It's much easier to insert the connector this way, at least in my experience, and it grips better afterward. Why don't you give that a try and see if it helps? If it works for you, let us know. It may help others as well.
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    • Re: Frustrated First Time Hoop Maker....

      Tue, April 29, 2008 - 11:10 AM
      I agree with the boiling water method, totally worked when I was using larger tubing with connectors that were just a bit big.

      Currently, I use a 1/2" connector on 3/4" tubing, with some wraps of electrical tape to make it snug (it is small enough to slide in and out without effort or resistance otherwise).

      If you're buying your tubing and connectors from the same place, ask for help! A lot of the tubing is designed for exterior couplers, so they come with matching OUTSIDE bands (often metal, ouch!), but not interior couplers... so you might have to fudge around a bit.

      Oh, and the other thing that may shed light on the measurements: some of these things are made with a consistent OUTSIDE diameter (OD), while others are made with the INSIDE diameter (ID) being important... so if you've got tubing with an OD of 3/4", and a coupler from some other system designed for 3/4" ID tubing or pipe.. things won't fit :)

      Good luck!

      X.
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  • Tedward
    Tedward
    offline 468

    Re: Frustrated First Time Hoop Maker....

    Tue, April 29, 2008 - 11:19 AM
    Wendy, it's entirely possible that the connectors were mislabled. But more likely, the situation is this.

    3/4" tube outside diameter (OD), with a 1/8" wall thickness is 6/8 - 2/8 = 4/8 = 1/2" inside diameter (ID)
    1" tube OD with 1/8" walls = 3/4" ID
    1" tube with 1/4" walls = 1/2" ID

    When they label the tubes they might have been using OD, or the outside diameter, because that's the measurement the people installing it have to worry about most (it's irrigation tubing, and they need the right trench size and whatnot). But because of the various size tubes, wall thicknesses, and such, they have a standardized connector that's measured by ID, or the inside diameter. That way they don't have to carry two 1/2" connectors, one for 3/4" and one for 1" thick wall.
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  • Wendy
    Wendy
    offline 6

    Re: Frustrated First Time Hoop Maker....

    Tue, April 29, 2008 - 12:35 PM
    Thanks so much for your responses, guys. They've really helped clear up my confusion - good to know I'm not going crazy. Who knew that so much math would be involved in hoop making! I feel like I've been working on my algebra all weekend.

    I did actually try the boiling water method yesterday, but I tried inserting both end into the water simultaneously (I don't recommend it - extremely difficult!) I don't think the tubing ever became pliable enough to fit the connector. Tonight I'll try soaking the ends one at a time in the boiling water and squeezing the connector in separately, as Caroleena suggested. But I have a feeling that Ted and Xta are on the money. The mesurements may be for the OD of the tubing making the inside entirely too narrow for the 3/4 connector.

    I tried my new hoop this morning and its works like a charm! The 1/2" is a nice, tight fit, so that may be the way to go after all. Sounds like Xta isn't having a problem with hers and mine is so tight, I don't need the extra tape - I could barely get it in by itself. I'll give the 3/4" another go tonight though - I want to make it work. I'll let everyone know how it turns out!

    Thanks again for the insight.

    I <3 Hoopers!
    xoxoxo
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    • Karen
      Karen
      offline 13

      ID vs OD

      Wed, April 30, 2008 - 9:47 AM
      I found some hooping material at a yard sale somewhere that certainly looked like 3/4 160#, but it certainly won't take a 3/4" connector!

      I buy my tubing and connectors from Lowe's Hardware, and I've never had a problem with getting their products to match up. But that yard sale stuff is tricky...
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  • Meli...
    Melicent
    offline 0

    Re: Frustrated First Time Hoop Maker....

    Tue, May 6, 2008 - 1:49 PM
    When I made my first hoop I got some tubing that was labeled 3/4" and had a hell of a time getting the connectors in. It was this white tubing, and it wasn't pliable at all to begin with. The boiling water method eventually worked, although it was still really hard and kind of messed up the pot I boiled the water in... so I went back to Lowe's and found a different kind of 3/4" tubing -- it was black and a little bigger in diameter (I think it was 3/4" inner diameter, and the white tubing was 3/4" outer diameter) Anyway, the black tubing was a lot more pliable than the white even at room temperature, and about a minute under the hair dryer made the ends soft enough for the connector to go in like a dream. the hoops I made have lasted a year with no issues, so I'm definitely a fan of this method.

    good luck! enjoy your hoops!
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    • Caro...
      Caroleeena
      offline 410

      Re: Frustrated First Time Hoop Maker....

      Tue, May 6, 2008 - 2:14 PM
      Yeah, I don't like that white tubing. It's hard and doesn't take a connector very well. The black is better. My favorite kind in particular is called Silverline Sil-O-Flex. I like it because it is a bit pliable and bendy. I love that in my hoops.
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