plugging morters

[j taylor]

I now have a bunch of 2"id heavy wall tubes from skylighter to use as morters. Before I get out the hole saw and stat cutting plugs I thought I would ask if there is any other way to do this. How about an inch or so of bondo in the ends gripping 3-4 drywall screws?

[shrapnel]

What are you planning on shooting out of these? What type of material are they (fiber, HDPE, metal, paper)? 2" I.D. is not good for 1.4 shells, If you plan on using 1.3 the answer is no, you need thick wood plugs. Of coarse if you plan on shooting 1.3, you already know this.

[j taylor]

the tubes are cardboard,and I was planing on 1.75" stuff like excals and such. What problems do I have with 2"id?

[shrapnel]

If the I.D. is a true 2", you will get very low breaks, too much lift charge will escape around the shell. Are you sure the I.D. is 2" and not like 1.89 or 1.91, those will be fine, as to your question about plugging, what material are they?

[j taylor]

the tubes are paralell wound paper, here is a link they are the second from the bottom. my tape measure reads right at 2"id. dangerously low breaks? did I screw the pooch on this?http://www.skylighter.com/mall/parallel.asp

[shrapnel]

If you paid $43.00 for ten of those, yes. Pyrogear sells hdpe, 1.91 id plugged mortars for $1.61 each before any discounts.(link in my sig.)which are much more durable than paper. As for plugging them, good luck, I have zero experience with paper tubes so don't want to make any recommendations.

[pyrochris]

If you paid $43.00 for ten of those, yes. Pyrogear sells hdpe, 1.91 id plugged mortars for $1.61 each before any discounts.(link in my sig.)which are much more durable than paper. As for plugging them, good luck, I have zero experience with paper tubes so don't want to make any recommendations.
Im pretty sure he can send them back for a refund, Skylighter lost 100ft of visco i ordered and refunded me all the money, so they are a very reliable company

[j taylor]

buyers remorse... ahh, haven't had that in a while. Forget the pluging question how about the 2" vs. 1.91" debate? will I have really low breaks?

[Spyder207]

I would try to return them if you can rather than take any chances. You will loose some height on single break shells, but if you have any multi break shells, like triples or quads, which are smaller in diameter this could be a real safety issue IMHO.

[johnny_boomboom]

j--

you need to punt on this one... see if you can return them... I can tell you from experience... 1.4 - 1.75" shells will not get good lift out of a 2" id tube... It is a safety issue... Also don't plug the tubes with bondo they may be good for one shot... but it will crack even at 1" thick... it will take multiple shots but it will crack and it will become a problem... I wish I had better news for you bud...

[j taylor]

thanks for the education. I contacted skylighter and hopefully they will take them back .

[stratejacket]

Please help,

I bought 80ft of HDPE sdr11 1.91"ID today. What should I use to plug them and how should I secure the plugs?? Do I use .75" plywood or 2x4s? Do I use screws, a nail gun, or staples to secure them?? Its seems there will be a slight space around the plug and the mortar if I use a 2" hole saw. Is this normal or am I using the wrong size?? Thanks all! I've got the show coming up in 8 days!!!

Randy

[SEAHAWK]

Use a 2-1/8" hole saw, a mallet, and staples into the side of the hdpe through the plug. oh and make the plugs out of a 2x4

[johnny_boomboom]

Please help,

I bought 80ft of HDPE sdr11 1.91"ID today. What should I use to plug them and how should I secure the plugs?? Do I use .75" plywood or 2x4s? Do I use screws, a nail gun, or staples to secure them?? Its seems there will be a slight space around the plug and the mortar if I use a 2" hole saw. Is this normal or am I using the wrong size?? Thanks all! I've got the show coming up in 8 days!!!

Randy

Use a 2-1/8" hole saw... and pound then in with a rubber mallet... I also use a brad nailer and put 4 or 5 1-1/2" brads in through the tube into the plug... if you use a 2" you can use construction adhesive to fill in the gaps if they are not too large... I have done this in the past and it works fine just make sure you check them each time you use them... If you have time in intouch with Midwest specialties... they sell the plugs and pretty darn reasonable... I have bought 160 from them in tha past couple of months... great folks...

[stratejacket]

OK, I went out and got a 2 1/8" hole saw. Made a plug. And pounded, and pounded, and pounded, and.......

That plug WILL NOT go in there! I didn't even get it partly in. Not one part of that plug would go in there. I am using 2" HDPE(I.D. 1.91"). I am not sure if I am doing something wrong or not. Would appreciate some help here. I realize I could use a 2" bit but I would like to do this the way it is suppose to be done. Not half-a**ed. If needed I guess I will. Thanks!!

Randy

[PyroDano]

you can buy plugs pretty cheap from here http://www.mhtc.net/~mws/
or get another holesaw closer to the size you need,if they are to small you can wrap them with a few layers of electric or duct tape.

[SoonerKid]

Don't know what to tell you I've used a 2-1/8th hole saw many times sometimes the plug is a little snug. Might be the brand of holesaw i suppose making the plugs a little bigger. The holesaw i used was a Lenox from Lowes.

[Deweycoon]

Buy the heavy duty 2 1/8" holesaw blade and not the thin metal ones they sell for the occasional use.
The first time I tried plugging mortars it didn't seem to work until I beveled the edges of the plug. I start the plug with a tap of the hammer then set a 2x4 on the plug and rap it into place.

[Stinkyfeesh]

The first time I tried plugging mortars it didn't seem to work until I beveled the edges of the plug.

Yep I noticed this on all my tubes I purchased as well. All plugs had a beveled edge. Might be just the start to get into the tube you need.

[Deweycoon]

you can buy plugs pretty cheap from here http://www.mhtc.net/~mws/
or get another holesaw closer to the size you need,if they are to small you can wrap them with a few layers of electric or duct tape.

I don't see plugs on this website for DR #11.

[kenbeuken]

They have them. I have ordered litterally thousands from them. When you fax in the order form, just be sure and write in the DR# that you are wanted the plugs to fit in. They will take it from there. Or just give em a call.

[skole]

OK, I went out and got a 2 1/8" hole saw. Made a plug. And pounded, and pounded, and pounded, and.......

That plug WILL NOT go in there! I didn't even get it partly in. Not one part of that plug would go in there. I am using 2" HDPE(I.D. 1.91"). I am not sure if I am doing something wrong or not. Would appreciate some help here. I realize I could use a 2" bit but I would like to do this the way it is suppose to be done. Not half-a**ed. If needed I guess I will. Thanks!!

Randy


In addition to beveled plugs you can also bevel the tube. When the tubes are cut they always have a bit of a sharp edge. This happens no matter the type of blade used or how good the finished cut is.

I find its difficult to drive a plug, even with a bevel, into a tube that has not also been beveled. You do not have to remove much material just enough to get rid of the inside lip. I use a pocket knife and bevel all my tubes.

While I am there I also bevel the top for easier loading. Once you have done a few tubes it only takes about 5 seconds to do both ends. The end result is a tube that is easier to plug and load, and they look much better too.

[flamingbalz]

Sorry to bump the thread but didnt want post a new thread on basically the same subject.


OK, i just ordered a 40ft stick of 1.91ID SDR 11 HDPE I should have it in a week or 2. from reading this thread I will use a 2 1/8" hole saw to make plugs out of regular pine 2x4's bevel the edges just enough to get them pounded in.

my question is I have an 18ga. pneumatic staple gun and brad gun will this work or should I be using something heavier to secure the plugs?

Thanks

[LStathas]

Slightly heating the end may help. Not too much or you'll warp the tube.

[dfluke]

Sorry to bump the thread but didnt want post a new thread on basically the same subject.


OK, i just ordered a 40ft stick of 1.91ID SDR 11 HDPE I should have it in a week or 2. from reading this thread I will use a 2 1/8" hole saw to make plugs out of regular pine 2x4's bevel the edges just enough to get them pounded in.

my question is I have an 18ga. pneumatic staple gun and brad gun will this work or should I be using something heavier to secure the plugs?

Thanks

I have this one and it worked great:

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=40116

[Crazy8s]

Save time, hassle and probably some $$$

http://www.pyrogear.net/wood_plugs.htm

[flamingbalz]

ok well, I got my 40ft of HDPE today. I cut and plugged 40 tubes in just over 2 hrs!! not bad for making the plugs myself!

Ill probaby start on the rack tomorrow!