why dont they make...

[BrokenBiker]

re-sealable silicon tubes.

what is best way to preserve your silicon supplies after opening the tube? ive just used half a tube, usually stick a broken drill bit in the end but that doesn't really work, and the end of the nozzle is cut too big now and haven't got a broken drill that will fit

 

[mr migwire]

a bit of plastic, unsdrew the nozzle cover end with platic replace nozzle, thats how i do mine anyway and works for me but then again i do have loadsa spare nozzles.

 

[BrokenBiker]

hadn't thought of that. will try it now. im not bothered about the nozzle getting blocked, I just ram a welding rod down it and throw the waste, but losing half a tube gets annoying.

 

[optima21]

yeah I tape some cling film on the end but normally end up changing the nozzle

spare nozzles are cheap enough from toolstation

http://www.toolstation.com/shop/p40588

 

[Wozzaaah]

Surely if you're leaving it long enough for the remaining half tube to cure then nothing you do will prevent it, will it?
Genuine question as I've lost count of how many part-used tubes I've binned.

 

[pedrobedro]

I wrap some insulting tape round the end and stick it to itself to make a cone. When it sets in the nozzle I push it back down with a piece of 3mm bar or a stick, it comes out when you get it released from the sides. Sikaflex or Tiger Seal is a different matter, that goes off whatever you do to it. Find lots of jobs that need doing all at once to use it up.

 

[BrokenBiker]

sometimes I don't need it until it is well and truly gone off, but sometimes I go to use it and think it should still be ok, and isn't and then have to start a new tube. I have always got 4-5 tubes lying around, just seems a waste to throw so much of it. seems it could be solved to a certain extent by a simple screw on cap, although I suppose an uncut nozzle would do the same thing

 

[Fazerruss]

re-sealable silicon tubes.

what is best way to preserve your silicon supplies after opening the tube? ive just used half a tube, usually stick a broken drill bit in the end but that doesn't really work, and the end of the nozzle is cut too big now and haven't got a broken drill that will fit

They do! But but not all manufacturers. I've had silicon in the past with a nozzle that has a screw on cap. From memory it could have been pink grip as the nozzles were pink and the cap was black

 

[BrokenBiker]

may put a binged up nozzle to good use, cut it short and use it as a cap

 

[Wozzaaah]

sometimes I don't need it until it is well and truly gone off, but sometimes I go to use it and think it should still be ok, and isn't and then have to start a new tube. I have always got 4-5 tubes lying around, just seems a waste to throw so much of it. seems it could be solved to a certain extent by a simple screw on cap, although I suppose an uncut nozzle would do the same thing

An uncut nozzle would just make whatever is at the end of the tube cure up though, surely?
The issue is that it cures in air and the empty nozzle will be full of air.

 

[brightspark]

Surely if you're leaving it long enough for the remaining half tube to cure then nothing you do will prevent it, will it?
Genuine question as I've lost count of how many part-used tubes I've binned.

as said it goes off after a couple of month no matter what u do

 

[Welderpaul]

A lot of silicone tubes have the screw cap on the end that saves it for a bit. As above, bit of plastic trapped between tube and nozzle saves it for a bit longer. After that, bin it.

 

[BrokenBiker]

I will be using it again in the next week or so as am putting a new bath in for someone, so as long as it lasts until then, im happy.

 

[Shedendman]

if your going to use it again say in a few days or a weeks time,i stick it is a bucket(tip down) with a few inches of water.
Or as a window fitter once showed me a a fair size ball of putty squeezed over the end,finger off a latex glove with a laccy band does the trick to

 

[Shox Dr]

I don't bother doing anything, when I use it again I use screw the nozzle and poke out the cured sealant, you can also check to see if the curing has crept into the tube. and refit.

 

[Hitch]

I never bother doing anything, just let it cure, unscrew the sealant, pull the big rubbery cured bit out of the tube, screw on a new nozzle and away you go, no mess, takes no time.... anything more, just buy a new tube.

On a side note, i'm lead to believe that a big chunk of cured sealant makes a good cleaner for abrasive belts...for wood dust anyway.

 

[brightspark]

I never bother doing anything, just let it cure, unscrew the sealant, pull the big rubbery cured bit out of the tube, screw on a new nozzle and away you go, no mess, takes no time.... anything more, just buy a new tube.

On a side note, i'm lead to believe that a big chunk of cured sealant makes a good cleaner for abrasive belts...for wood dust anyway.

so does a screwed up plaggy bag or a block of plastic

 

[normspanners]

You can get aerosol pressure cartridge type silicon tubes now, that has its own valve and pressure in the tube to push the sealant out so that when you stop the contents remain liquid but it also has a screw on cap.
mainly for automotive use though, they do last a long time.

 

[brightspark]

they do have a shelf life and dated so if its old stock it aint going to last long

 

[armalites]

I saw these a couple of weeks a go, when the nozzle end dries/cures you can cut the end of the tube off and tap one of these in the end.You can then get some more use out of the cartridge.

http://www.toolovation.co.uk/product_p/new_tip_5pc.htm