paper rolls/tubes bars from lolly pop sticks

[ct ertz]

This might have come up before but just to let folks know, Wal-Mart and possibly other places have a candy making section with lolly pop handles in packages, different lengths, and sometimes on sale for well under two dollars. They are a bit larger then the Q-tip paper rolls I save for small diameter pole/tubes or whatever. These take marker/paint well and are about five inches long. If you need strong tubes or bars for a project and a a little fumbly or just a bit lazy like me, then these may have a place in your models. Gun barrels, masts, supports, what ever, they are paper and already made. I like the Q-tips for many things, but these are longer and a bit heavier so just one more option. Thanks guys,
CT

[hawkman67]

They also have longer ones as well, depending on their stock at the time. I got a bag of longs, and shorts, they are very handy as you said Cory. Plus if you dampen them you can unwind them to the need Dia as well.
Jeff

[modelperry]

I have been known to use these also. For slightly smaller diameters I have been able to unwrap a few layers to fine tune the size needed.

This works for Q-tip sticks (paper ones) too.

Good tip! Thanks for refreshing my memory and letting others in on this "secret"

greg

[SCEtoAUX]

Something else you can do is soak a section of the stick for a while then gently bend it to get something like a bend in a pipe. You have to take your time and bend it a little at a time then secure it once the desired bend radius is achieved. Allow it to dry and the bend usually stays. Maybe even bend it a little past the desired radius to compensate for spring back. Some minor sanding can be done to smooth out the wrinkles on the inside of the bend and some filler can be used to fill in any cracks that show up. Paint it and Bob's your uncle.

[Texman]

Yup. Works like a charm. Used many of them in the Fokker build thread.
They do work best when soaked with alcohol vs water, and using a bending
jig can help decrease the wrinkles.

[hawkman67]

That is good to know Ray, Thanks for sharing these tips., Had never thought of Alcohol to wet them.. makes more sense that is for sure.
Jeff

[Texman]

Yes, I found that depending on the paper, water releases the adhesive holding the
fibers together, while alcohol simply evaporates.

[peter taft]

Here's a tube making tip. If you use a cigarette rolling machine {hand rolling machine}, you can make either solid tubes or hollow. Depending on the thickness of the paper you feed in will decide the tubes strength. These machines come in two sizes {well here in the U.K anyways}

[whulsey]

The candy and cake decorating section of Michael's also carry a couple of sizes of the sticks along with a few other useful items that can be adapted.