skreamer 1 #1 September 5, 2002 Hi guys I'm getting some tubes made by my rigger. I'm providing the materials, have got the ZP, but what can I use for the rings? Also, any of you who have experience making/jumping tubes : what are the suggested dimensions for the tube itself(ie circumference and length)? Thanks Will Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RedITALY 0 #2 September 5, 2002 Io ho usato il filo di TEFLON di 5mm.(usato dagli elettricisti per trainare i cavi) arrotolandolo piu' volte e irrigidendolo con nastro adesivo... You can see it it www.flyinvillage.it REDPeace -RED- Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RedITALY 0 #3 September 5, 2002 I have used the thread of TEFLON of 5mm.(used from the electricians in order to haul cables) rolling up it more times and hardening it with adhesive tape... Sorry about my English REDPeace -RED- Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
freeflir29 0 #4 September 5, 2002 I like a tube to be about 12 inches in diameter and 18-20Ft long. The base can be made out of PVC pipe with a handle of chain with garden hose over it. That's one of the best ones I have seen. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skreamer 1 #5 September 5, 2002 No worries dude - thanks for the advice. (and maybe your English is a bit better than my Italian... ) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PhreeZone 20 #6 September 5, 2002 I've used a bicycle wheel to make mine. I have a 16 inch with all the spokes removed that is fast, and another person at the DZ used a 20 inch and his is much slower. The reason I chose the rim was its solid metal, and light weight. Using copper/pvc tubing will let the tube bend when being dragged in the air. With metal to work with its easy to drill holes and mount handles, mounts, etc. I made my tube so its really snug on the rim, then put grommets in the material, drilled holes in the rim to match the grommets and used bolts to attach the material to the rim so that if I wanted to... I could go from hand to foot and back with just 2 bolt switches. Plus I think it looks cooler then having the material wrap around the rim...Yesterday is history And tomorrow is a mystery Parachutemanuals.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skreamer 1 #7 September 5, 2002 Isn't this a bit too heavy? ie couldn't it do damage if you had to chuck it? The thing I like about Matteo (RedItaly) and Clay's designs is that if you do have to chuck the tube, it is really light (basically an oversized WDI) and wouldn't do any damage when it lands. I do like your idea of the grommets though, a lot easier than stitching the tube over the ring. Clay : for the handles my rigger is making swages (suages? SP?) - very light and strong. Will Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RedITALY 0 #8 September 5, 2002 My sistem is more light... The weigth is very important if you want grip(?) your tube under canopy... But attention! It is a very dangerous manouvre... The tube in www.flyinvillage.it have a 3 rings cutaway sistem and is 65cm. of diameter and long 6.5 mt. Very very light. Peace REDPeace -RED- Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skreamer 1 #9 September 5, 2002 Where on your site are the tube pics? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RedITALY 0 #10 September 5, 2002 HANDLE MODE You can see the ring for cutaway system (ONLY IN FOOT MODE) NO CHAIN but nylon strip (like a briddle) PVC pipe for hand sorry again about my english... REDPeace -RED- Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Yoshi 0 #11 September 5, 2002 I had a frind make a ring that is 18 inces in diameter and is copper tubing.. then I took one of those fanoodle things for swimming pools (the floaty tubes things) and cut it down the center and wrapped it around the copper.. this way if I have to ditch it and it hits something it wont do much damage.. 18 feet long is a good lenth.. you want it longer than you lines so it bumps up against the material on opening rather than getting stuck in your lines. if its a handheld keep it in your left hand and durring opening push it behind you so once you are in flight it is behind you and your canopy rather than going thru your lines. cool.. laters_________________________________________ this space for rent. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RedITALY 0 #12 September 5, 2002 http://www.flyinvillage.it/immagini.it/tubo7.jpg www.flyinvillage.it/immagini.it/tubo7.jpg REDPeace -RED- Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PhreeZone 20 #13 September 5, 2002 I've chopped the tube at 10k before and it did'nt even leave as much as a impact rin on the ground. The metal rim weighs less then 1.5 inch PVC does for the same size. One thing with Copper tubing is you have to bend it to get it into shape, that also means as you jump it it gets bent out of shape easy. In most cases it also takes solder to hold the copper together so thats another thing you have to worry about finding some one to do. PVC requires a connector link and PVC glue. With PVC if you use too small of PVC it will just snap, too large and it weights too much. If it snaps the tube will be eratic at best. I had copper tubing bend into a U shape after only 3 jumps with stress fractures showing. Also with the Grommets... you are concentrating the forces onto that area instead of on to the stitching. After 25 tube jumps mine looks great still... a little frayed at the top (reenforce as much as possible) and the one that was sewed on is starting to fray a bit....Yesterday is history And tomorrow is a mystery Parachutemanuals.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
freeflir29 0 #14 September 5, 2002 Some Nylon webbing would be great too. Just make sure it's something that WON'T break and is easy to hang onto. I really don't like hard handles like PVC. I want somthing softer...really doesn't matter what it is. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RedITALY 0 #15 September 5, 2002 RedPeace -RED- Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
klingeme 1 #16 September 5, 2002 Post: Where on your site are the tube pics? Here http://www.flyinvillage.it/immagini/tubo7.jpg Mark Klingelhoefer Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SpinDoctor 0 #17 September 6, 2002 Steve had a big plasic hoola-hoop over New Year... It folded up and tightened around his hand the first time he used it... Now (i'm sure you are aware) he has a small (16"?) bicycle rim with a handle in the centre which allows it to rotate around the hub. Becasue of the amount of drag caused by the tube's material - it doesnt spank in at 120 mph... Although, i dont have the exact closing speed - and probably wouldnt be too happy if it hit me / my car / etc etc.----------------------- Connextion: British 8 Way Team www.bodyflight.co.uk ----------------------- Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skreamer 1 #18 September 6, 2002 Steve's ring is definitely not small () - it is a regular size bicycle rim (thats why it is such a Godzilla tube). It is very light though. Maybe an aluminium kiddies BMX bike rim would be better? Will Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
freeflyswc 0 #19 September 11, 2002 speaking of that ring I made , Wheres the other one? Are you still gonna make me that blue & white tye-dye tube???? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
