I was sitting at lunch a couple of weeks ago, playing with my straw and drink, when I realized a straw is a perfect waterproof container. I just had to cap the ends... I have a packaging machine at work that seals plastic and so I shoved some Carmex in a straw and sealed the two ends. It worked well, but the seal broke when my tube got squished, not something you want in an EDC. I have had some real success melting the end of a straw with a lighter. I have since been squeezing the end of the straw together and fusing them together like you would a rope, and have stuck all kinds of stuff in them from sunscreen to salt and pepper. This is done in four easy steps. Step 1 fill the straw, 2 clean the ends, 3 pinch the ends together, 4 melt ends together with a lighter!

Here are some photos:

fill straw

clean the end

fuze end

all done

Let me know what you put in yours <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />.
Jack

Looks good! I never have any luck with the seal, however. Mine always comes loose. <img src="/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

I fold the ends of my tinder straws over, then slip another section cut from the straw over the fold to hold it in place.

Not a waterproof seal, but since I only use these for vaseline cotton tinder I have not found a heat seal necessary.

I read about this somewhere on the web...a simple and effective solution.

I seal mine by melting the straw a bit, then "crimping" the end shut with a pair of pliers. Thus far I have had no issues.

I keep a straw of magnesium and vaseline soaked cotton in my matchcase.

How exactly to you get the cotton into the straw, and also, how would you get it back out in a useable state?

I take a straw section, fold and secure one end, then stuff the vaseline/cotton in with a wooden skewer. A 2" section will hold a bunch of cotton stuffed hard.

To use I simply cut the straw in half, then split the straw and remove the cotton or you can sometimes pull the cotton out with a stick or knife point. Fluff it up and spark it. This is about the best way I have found to keep vaseline/cotton tinder in a pocket kit.

I would recommend sealing one end prior to filling. That way even if it is something loose like a powder it doesn't fall out.

The best way I have found to seal straws is to go out and get a cheap set of plyers. Needle nose work best. I'm talking the dollar 98 junk. Fold the straw over and hold in place. Any method will do. Heat the jaws of the plyers. A gas range works real well but even an electric will work. Then close the jaws over the straw. hold until it melts. Keep holding untill it cools enough to hold. The first few times you try you will get them to hot and melt holes. Then you will go the other way and not get them hot enough to make a seal. With a little practice you will get the hang of it and get the heat just right.

Plasti-dip
http://www.plastidip.com/consumer/index.html

Home Depot, Lowes.
Just be sure the straw ends are reasonably clean.

I found that on some thicker items, if sealed one end first I could not get the stuff in the straw because of the air pressure. I have had the best results by taking my Leatherman and pinching it about an eighth of an inch from the end so there is extra plastic to form the seal when I melted the straw.