I dont want to bring up a very old and long thread started by PC2K, so i'll start a new one.
In that thread it was debated on how to heat seal straws containing vaseline impregnated cotton wool. In the end no one came up with a satisfactory approach. How about just sealing it with electrical tape?

I too was sceptic at first. But practice is the only way to find out ...
I try to keep things simple :I just heat the straw (stolen at McDonnald's : they are large) with the flame of a BIC lighter and clamp/seal that end with my Leatherman pliers.
Looks like a good seal.
I am just waiting for better days, to leave such a piece of straw laying in the sun, to see if there is any vaseline leaking ...

sealing them with electrical tape will work, ofcorse.
i don't put mine vaseline+cottonwol tinder in straws, i find it hard to stuff it in the straws and harder to pack in a PSK, you can't squize them in tiny little space's left in a PSK, like the linyard hole and some portians of the air chamber of a whistle.... what you can if you don't pack them in something at all. And yes, the contents will get a little vasline on them, but does that matter? Not to me. Weather mine knife got a tiny amount of vaseline on them or not, its stil able to do it's job. just keep the stuff you dont want any vasline on them clear from the tinder.
i used to pack mine tinder in paperpackages ( waxed paper ). worked fine, untill i start using up the space in mine PSK..

just mine 2cents

Doesn't the cotton wool catch fire from the lighter?

*deleted* wrong interpetation of q.

It doesn´t if you take care that no cotton fibres are in the opening. You should also hold the opening up. The straw should be about one inch above the flame.That way the plastic warms up slowly and will stick together when you press it. It will only seal the straw if the the inside gets warm enough to almost melt.

Sorry, I didn't explain properly. I meant wouldn't to cotton catch fire when you seal up the straw with a lighter.

Well, Max is right.
Anyway, you have to be careful. Seal your straws over a place (i.e. sink) where you can drop it aflamed, just in case .......
I didn't have any problem preparing mine, and I plan to make some more this afternoon.
Last time I (almost) catch fire myself, was when in high school, I played with aluminium and sodium peroxyde : adding water to that mixture produce a nice fiery flame. I tried to put this preparation inside a small envelope I had made out of glued toilett paper. Everything was working fine, except, after a few minutes, it catches fire, right under my nose ..... <img src="images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" />
I had just forgetten that there is some water in the glue .... enough to start the aluminium - peroxyde reaction !!!!
Hopefully, I was wearing glasses, so my eyes were protected. I only loosed a few hairs and eyebrows....
A short time after that, I quit chemistry for electronics ... <img src="images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Take care.

Alain

you were right about the cotton not catching, but I over estimated the amount of heat it would take to make the plastic sticky. I held it about 3 inches above the flame in it instantly melted back about 3 mm (excuse me mixing metric and imperial) It worked non the less
thanks

Melting and pinching the straw was only step one for me.

I then dip in "plastidip" and let each end dry. So far, no leaks.
(plastidip is magic stuff guys! You can "rubberize" knife grips, xacto blades, rope ends, etc.)

This is an intersting new way to keep the tinder balls from ruining the rest of your kit with pet. jelly. And you don't even need to heat seal it!

New way to use straws

I love the vasoline/cotton ball method, used it a lot backpacking, the stuff practically explodes if you fluff it up a bit. I used film cannisters though, no leakage. I work in a hospital lab and have access to plastic vials of various sizes that come in so handy!! The film cannisters are too big for an altoids can but i'm a chick and my "purse" is a camelbak for now. My "purse" has a small prybar, swimgoggles, gloves, paracord, headlamp, flashlight, ear plugs, bandannas, safty pins, steel leaders, esbit fuel, whistle, leatherman ect. It sucks that I can't pee standing up sometimes (especially when camping in the rain when it's cold and I'm wearing a lot of warm clothes in a warm sleeping bag) but I guess being able to carry my "purse" is a small concession! <img src="images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" /> If it wasn't for the shoulder straps I might actually carry a "purse". Sure would like to have one of those other things when it's cold and raining out! <img src="images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Clever! Yet so simple in its implementation... <img src="images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

What a great idea. And if you're worried about leakage you can always seal the "locked" ends in plastic/rubber cement.

What is "plastidip" ???

TIA

Gitarmac, Check out www.campmor, for YOUR ultimate gift <img src="images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> It should be under their shower pages. A friend of mine uses one, and she thinks it beats dropping the drawers too! Forget the rain she always says, IT'S THE POISON IVY that freaks her! <img src="images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" /> That's one cool PSK you've packed yourself....I've been carrying a similiar rig since the early '80's; and was always getting strange looks, as if to say, "Hey, check out the guy w/ the 'purse'".....Not here though! <img src="images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> I used a smaller platypus type pack. Share the wealth of knowledge, Gene <img src="images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

I was JUST about to recommend this, wheI read your post! Been doing it for the past 20yrs! Just don't cop too many straws at a time at Mickie D's., lest they put it ALL behind the counter <img src="images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" /> Thanks, Gene

I've known a few gals that tried them w/o much success. Maybe it's one of those aquired skills!

Oh well, thought it worth a mention <img src="images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> Gene

It's a thick rubbery paint.

http://www.plastidip.com/consumer/products.html

Hey! I went to the web site and they didn't list any American distributors. <img src="images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" /> Where are you guys from TN and FL getting this stuff?

Here in Ohio I've seen it in Lowe's or Home Depot. I can't remember which. Some autoparts stores may carry it as well. Worse comes to worst theres a customer feedback link on the plastidip website. You could ask if they could provide you a local or internet source.

Hope this helps,
Ed

I get plastidip at every Home Depot in our area, and most other hardware stores. Great stuff. If you "dip" as directed you get essentially a rubber handgrip or coating on your item. But also (and this is WAY NEAT!!!) if you thin with the thinners recommended you can paint this on things. It then dries to a very very sturdy layer of rubber.

Currently I make Kydex knife sheaths and handgun holsters. I don't like the "clacking" they make if they brush up agains things. So I paint a few coats of Plastidip over the kydex (plastic) leaving a quiet "rubber coated" sheath/holster. I've also used it to seal up an altoids PSK, to whip rope ends, and to coat a skeleton-grip knife.

For more permanent sealing I've been using Scotch Packaging Super Strength tape. Fold the end of the straw over and seal with the tape - the stuff is remarkably waterproof - have carried a roll in my backpack for some time. Regards, Keys

Thanks Keys,

I'll give it a try! <img src="images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Thanks eodman,

We have a Lowes on just about every major street down here. Now that I know where to go and what to ask for I'll go pick some up and start experimenting. <img src="images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

Thanks again!

NAro,

I'd already thought about rubberizing some of my knife handles... but I hadn't even considered coating my kydex holsters with the stuff. Sweeeeeeet!! <img src="images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Given our shared interests, do you post a lot over on packing.org? If so, I probably owe you another thank you for steering me to this site. Somebody over there told me about this forum, but I can remember who!

Thanks, man!

Don't thank me so soon, Ben. My kydex/plastidip fettish has made me the subject of scorn and derision from my friends with little vision. Hope it doesn't happen to you.

I don't get to packing.org. Will take a look there.
MORE NEET STUFF: The plastidip coated Kydex will tolerate re-moulding!. Heat to @ 300 degrees F., Kydex softens enough to remould. Plastidip remains intact. Perhaps I should ask Chris K to move this thread to a plastidip thread and away from vaseline/cotton.

Oh, that's OK...

I'm used to scorn and derision. Try being the only guy with a gun collection in an office full of new age computer geeks. <img src="images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />