STEAM education program urgently needs bulk tubing quote

March 8, 2018 1:16 PM

I need to price out some tubing for a children's project. I am befuddled by my options.

I need: 1) firm tubing I can cut by hand into 1" chunks with a 1/2" diameter (goal: to connect a balloon to a CD for a DIY hovercraft) and 2) flexible tubing that I can cut by hand that a ping-pong ball will easily roll through (I want at least 50 feet of it in around 10-foot lengths. Goal: freeform marble run using ping-pong balls.) I was thinking vinyl aquarium tubing for 1) and electrical flex tube or foam pipe wrap for 2) but I can't find either in the diameter I need. I need to get it from a retail store in NYC, not online, as cheaply as possible. Ideally, no latex. What do I search for and buy?

posted by blnkfrnk to Shopping (2 answers total)

Best answer: 1.) 1/2" PEX tubing if you need the inner diameter to be 1/2", 3/8" PEX if you need the outside diameter to be 1/2". Get a pair of PEX cutters as well. Example

2.) Vinyl hose in a 2" diameter. Example The cutters that you get for PEX should work for this as well. Ask someone for cutters that would do both in case.

That's the what. As far as the where, I don't know what stores you have around you, but if you have a Ace Hardware, Lowes or a Home Depot near you, or if you have just a neighborhood hardware store, that's the place to find this stuff.
posted by deezil at 1:45 PM on March 8, 2018 [1 favorite]

Best answer: Don't know how comprehensive their online catalog is but give Canal Rubber a call!
posted by yeahlikethat at 1:45 PM on March 8, 2018