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Is there such a thing?
l0rd - 9/3/12 at 10:47 AM

I have an idea of something but one of the parts that i need to use doesn't exist? or i have never seen one.

I want a flexible solid hollow pipe. Something like a Goose pipe that you get on mobile phone screen mounts.

It needs to be very flexible on tight angles, smooth exterior surface and also to stay in the shape you bend it.

Any ideas?

designer - 9/3/12 at 10:58 AM

Yes, they do exist, but how rigid, and what diameter?

roadrunner - 9/3/12 at 12:23 PM

Cant you use copper pipe and then paint it.

MikeRJ - 9/3/12 at 12:31 PM

quote:
Originally posted by l0rd
It needs to be very flexible on tight angles, smooth exterior surface and also to stay in the shape you bend it.


Tough requirements, but if you invent something that meets them I'm sure there will be a market for it.

Slimy38 - 9/3/12 at 01:08 PM

You can get the corrugated stuff, similar to what you have in the middle of bendy straws. I've seen stuff that can be pretty much bent back upon itself, and it stays wherever you leave it. Unfortunately that doesn't give you a smooth outer surface. But in the immortal words of Meatloaf 'two out of three ain't bad'?

l0rd - 9/3/12 at 02:48 PM

Ideally 1cm diam
Hollow
Smooth
about 1m long
bend radius about the same as a £1 coing

Hmmmm like one of those fake flexible screwdrivers

[Edited on 9/3/12 by l0rd]

l0rd - 9/3/12 at 02:53 PM

quote:
Originally posted by MikeRJ
quote:
Originally posted by l0rd
It needs to be very flexible on tight angles, smooth exterior surface and also to stay in the shape you bend it.


Tough requirements, but if you invent something that meets them I'm sure there will be a market for it.


That is only one of the parts. The idea is different.

loggyboy - 9/3/12 at 03:16 PM

There was something in poundland I saw the other day, its was a sort of ruberised flexible bar that was advertsied as a sort of tie for securing loads to roof racks and similar.

l0rd - 9/3/12 at 03:52 PM

quote:
Originally posted by loggyboy
There was something in poundland I saw the other day, its was a sort of ruberised flexible bar that was advertsied as a sort of tie for securing loads to roof racks and similar.


Bar would be difficult.

I need a hollow pipe so i can run air from it.

loggyboy - 9/3/12 at 04:13 PM

Well my assumption is they would be a hollow metal flexible spiral wrapped in a rubber/foam outer shell, so could have the ends trimmed off, for a £1 punt it might be worth a look.

l0rd - 9/3/12 at 06:13 PM

quote:
Originally posted by loggyboy
Well my assumption is they would be a hollow metal flexible spiral wrapped in a rubber/foam outer shell, so could have the ends trimmed off, for a £1 punt it might be worth a look.


bit difficult

Poundland UK
Me Greece


[Edited on 9/3/12 by l0rd]

Confused but excited. - 9/3/12 at 06:45 PM

How much internal air pressure are you looking at?
I would suggest you look at : http://www.artifex.org.uk/ Ask about minimum bend radius.
You could then sleeve it in polyolefin heat shrink, for a smooth finish.

Slimy38 - 9/3/12 at 06:58 PM

If it's only air inside, couldn't you thread a stiff piece of wire through the middle of standard pipe? That way you could use any pipe and the wire would keep it rigid.

Marcus - 9/3/12 at 07:19 PM

As you're in Greece, look for pex-al-pex plumbing pipe. You should be able to get it in 10mm outside diameter. Look for manufacturers like Uponor, WRW, Rifeng, Frankische, Hakathen and many more. It's basically a plastic plumbing pipe with an aluminium layer embedded in it, usually white too. I have some samples at work, but postage might be a bit steep!!

Good luck!

Marcus - 9/3/12 at 07:19 PM

deleted, double post

[Edited on 9/3/12 by Marcus]

l0rd - 9/3/12 at 10:43 PM

quote:
Originally posted by Marcus
As you're in Greece, look for pex-al-pex plumbing pipe. You should be able to get it in 10mm outside diameter. Look for manufacturers like Uponor, WRW, Rifeng, Frankische, Hakathen and many more. It's basically a plastic plumbing pipe with an aluminium layer embedded in it, usually white too. I have some samples at work, but postage might be a bit steep!!

Good luck!


Had a quick look

I like the idea but forgot to mention mine needs to be bend quite regularly

matt_gsxr - 9/3/12 at 11:07 PM

What about that articulated stuff used for coolant on lathes and mills?

I have used it for a few non-standard applications and it is quite handy stuff and obviously flows alright.




Not sure who make it (it might be Noga, but they might buy it in, no idea).

l0rd - 10/3/12 at 12:28 AM

quote:
Originally posted by matt_gsxr
What about that articulated stuff used for coolant on lathes and mills?

I have used it for a few non-standard applications and it is quite handy stuff and obviously flows alright.




Not sure who make it (it might be Noga, but they might buy it in, no idea).



That is an excellent suggestion. I had thought of gorila tripods but forgot of these. that with a rubber sleeve around should be spot on.

jacko - 10/3/12 at 05:59 PM

http://www.screwfix.com/p/flexible-copper-plumbing-stick-15mm-x-x-300mm/22180;jsessionid=v1vyPbWGDwhw4Np8fhk3sVzJ1gbYh40yJSrJJP5R2z7hBGLJBlL4!-8538207 34
How about this
Jacko

scudderfish - 10/3/12 at 06:26 PM

So what are you going to do with it?

l0rd - 10/3/12 at 06:46 PM

quote:
Originally posted by scudderfish
So what are you going to do with it?


Can't say yet.

One thing for sure is that i have never seen one before so i believe there is a market for it.