Author Topic: Fuel Tubing Plug (Read 2923 times)

Steve Dwyer · « **on:** October 29, 2024, 01:08:15 PM »

Does anybody know what the source for this tubing cap is?

Steve

Brett Buck · « **Reply #1 on:** October 29, 2024, 01:23:43 PM »

Quote from: Steve Dwyer on October 29, 2024, 01:08:15 PM

Does anybody know what the source for this tubing cap is?

Steve

I don't have a source, but it is a rivet of some sort, probably for leathermaking.

Brett

Larry Wong · « **Reply #2 on:** October 29, 2024, 01:43:00 PM »

what I used when flying R/C Fuel dot

Steve Helmick · « **Reply #3 on:** October 29, 2024, 01:45:46 PM »

That does look like a "Fuel Dot" from Central Hobbies in Billings, MT.

Most CL guys use a BB in a short length of fuel hose.

Steve

Gordon Tarbell · « **Reply #4 on:** October 29, 2024, 01:55:14 PM »

Aluminum rivets I used to get from McMasterCaŕr 1/2" or 3/4" long . Great for altering fluid flow paths in valve bodies

Steve Dwyer · « **Reply #5 on:** October 29, 2024, 02:05:49 PM »

Brett,

It does look like a universal aircraft rivet, but it is hollow on the end being inserted into the tubing. I contacted Warren Wagner the guy I got the plugs from who is about out of the hobby. He couldn't recall but thought it came from some hobby source in Canada that supplied "the thin white wheels" if this makes any sense.

Steve

Dave_Trible · « **Reply #6 on:** October 29, 2024, 02:17:39 PM »

Quote from: Steve Dwyer on October 29, 2024, 01:08:15 PM

Does anybody know what the source for this tubing cap is?

Steve

That is a stock 1/8" tube rivet. I use them for making control horns and such. Available at Ace Hardware.

Dave

Motorman · « **Reply #7 on:** October 29, 2024, 04:43:36 PM »

1/8 is barely big enough, 5/32 would be better.

Paul Smith · « **Reply #8 on:** October 29, 2024, 05:02:24 PM »

I bought a roll of aluminum clothes line wire from the local hardware store. It's a good sung fit in 1/8" fuel line and you get a lifetime supply for a decent price.

Dan McEntee · « **Reply #9 on:** October 29, 2024, 05:53:18 PM »

I've used just about anything that will plug the fuel line securely. Standard BBs work very well, and I imagine pellets for a pellet gun will also?? Any 4-40 machine screw turned around and force the head into the tubing ( good for at the flying field), Dubro makes specific plug fittings and so does Foermost products, any kind of rivet, anything that the tubing will latch on to and seal tight. The COOLEST thing to use is the pegs from a Lite Brite kids toy!! That's a tip I picked up from a Windy video. I take a pocket knife and cut a swirl hatch pattern on the socket end so the tubing will grab better. They make these in a long end but the shorter end is more common. If you drop these in the grass, they literally glow in the sunshine and are easy to find. That's gets more important as you get older!!
Type at you later,
Dan McEntee

Robert Whitley · « **Reply #10 on:** October 29, 2024, 07:59:08 PM »

I agree with Dan.
The guys on Stunthangar hangout informed me of them. So I tried them and they work great.
What I did was look in the GoodWill stores until I found a Lite-Brite set and took a goodly supply in different colours out of it.
Then I gave the set to a neighbourhood kid.
Everyone wins!

Steve Dwyer · « **Reply #11 on:** October 30, 2024, 05:18:42 AM »

Ah the creativity of model airplane builders! I like the Lite Brite idea, but I won't find any around the family with all the young grandkids, too easy to swallow. Turns out I found a stash of AN rivets from my old RV9 building days and they work just fine. Thanks much.
Steve

Dan McEntee · « **Reply #12 on:** October 30, 2024, 07:56:17 AM »

Quote from: Robert Whitley on October 29, 2024, 07:59:08 PM

I agree with Dan.
The guys on Stunthangar hangout informed me of them. So I tried them and they work great.
What I did was look in the GoodWill stores until I found a Lite-Brite set and took a goodly supply in different colours out of it.
Then I gave the set to a neighbourhood kid.
Everyone wins!

I think you can buy extra Lite Brite pegs seperately. I have found a pack or two in my toy show hauntings, and never had to buy the whole toy. I'm not really sure who even makes the toy but I think it's still in production, but not suggested for smaller kids due to the small parts issue.
Type at you later,
Dan McEntee

Warren Wagner · « **Reply #13 on:** October 30, 2024, 03:49:12 PM »

steve,

Dave is correct.....it's a common RIVET and I bought them at ACE hardware.

Cheers,

Warren Wagner

Doug Moisuk · « **Reply #14 on:** October 30, 2024, 04:35:14 PM »

Rivet
I went to the airport were they do some aircraft repairs. The mechanic gave me a few for free.

Motorman · « **Reply #15 on:** October 30, 2024, 08:41:10 PM »

I was installing a new bathroom sink and had to cut down the rods that open/close the drain. They were 5/32" diameter and I instantly thought of this thread then cut them into 1/4" lengths.

MM

Steve Dwyer · « **Reply #16 on:** October 31, 2024, 07:00:04 AM »

Warren, you have your computer up and running "way to go"

Steve

Steve Dwyer · « **Reply #17 on:** November 01, 2024, 07:47:04 AM »

I went to the True Value Hardware and found the tubular 1/8" zinc rivet mentioned above. They want .30 cents each, way too much for my wallet. On the way home I stopped at a specialty fastener store and found they have a solid aluminum of the same dimensions and paid $2.00 for 100. They only had 7/16" long rivets but I can easily clip it to 3/8" or shorter. The solid aluminum actually feels lighter than the zinc (didn't weigh) but certainly lighter than the harder aluminum AN aircraft grade rivet I have in the shop. My search is over, Thanks much.
Steve

ace

Joseph Lijoi · « **Reply #18 on:** November 01, 2024, 09:02:50 AM »

A 4-40 x 1/8" socket head cap cap screw works. You just have to push it in so the top of the head is flush with the end of the tubing and that the head of the screw is completely imbedded in the tube. Difficult to put on and take off but that might be a good thing.

kevin king · « **Reply #19 on:** November 15, 2024, 11:54:15 PM »

Good luck finding the plug if you fly on grass. The older versions of the Battleship game are the best plugs bar none. Everything else is just foolishness. 😄

kevin king · « **Reply #20 on:** November 16, 2024, 12:32:32 AM »

Dwayne Donnelly · « **Reply #21 on:** November 16, 2024, 06:42:59 AM »

Quote from: kevin king on November 15, 2024, 11:54:15 PM

Good luck finding the plug if you fly on grass. The older versions of the Battleship game are the best plugs bar none. Everything else is just foolishness. 😄

Good idea, I've also used red cribbage pegs, leave them intact for grass, cut them at the tube for pavement.

kevin king · « **Reply #22 on:** November 16, 2024, 10:04:51 AM »

Yes, I cut the pegs that I use for plugging up the uniflow vent when I'm done flying. Otherwise I leave a trail of drips up the sidewalk of the house. Game pegs matter.

Dennis Toth · « **Reply #23 on:** November 16, 2024, 05:33:01 PM »

Dubro makes a nice compact plug ( https://brodak.com/dubro-fuel-line-plugs.html) not bad at $1.87.

Best, DennisT

Mark wood · « **Reply #24 on:** November 20, 2024, 08:58:58 AM »

For the cost of mailing I will send you some. These are 5/32 I have others as well. PM me.

peter jurczyk · « **Reply #25 on:** November 20, 2024, 04:39:45 PM »

Quote from: kevin king on November 15, 2024, 11:54:15 PM

Good luck finding the plug if you fly on grass. The older versions of the Battleship game are the best plugs bar none. Everything else is just foolishness. 😄

Then how do you play battleship with not enough pegs?

Paul Taylor · « **Reply #26 on:** November 23, 2024, 06:24:51 PM »

Quote from: Dan McEntee on October 29, 2024, 05:53:18 PM

. The COOLEST thing to use is the pegs from a Lite Brite kids toy!! That's a tip I picked up from a Windy video. I take a pocket knife and cut a swirl hatch pattern on the socket end so the tubing will grab better. They make these in a long end but the shorter end is more common. If you drop these in the grass, they literally glow in the sunshine and are easy to find. That's gets more important as you get older!!
Type at you later,
Dan McEntee

This is what I use. And like Dan saw it on a Windy video. 😎
And you can match it to a color on your plane too. 😉