I recieved a strange request from one of my employers whom I do odds and ends jobs for. He wants to make about 50-100 scientific, limited edition sculptures to sell. The sculpture represents a 'Hilbert's curve' and he needs a prototype and estimated bulk pricing.

It is made up of 3/8' clear, hard tubing (which I think I can find) and about 64 90-degree 'elbow joints' (clear or black). The entire thing needs to be hollow so we can run a glowing filament through it.

It is a signature of their company and they want me to make it into a model. I need to find out WHERE to purchase the elbow joints from.

This is what I am asked to make.

http://perfsci.com/images/hilbert0.jpg

there are 4 5" lengths and the rest are 2" long. I figure I can find the tubing and cut the peices myself, but it would be ideal to have all the pices (2", 5", and elbows) all pre-made. He found one place to custom make the elbows but they want $7 a PIECE with a min. of 1000 ordered! That is out of the question

Since I'm the first I'll be the dumbest and say a special order from a toy co. like a leggo part. If I had a drink I could probably think of something better.

Maybe try Paragon Plastics or Cadillac Plastics.

I jsut know tat when you find it, I'll do "DANG! I KNEW about that place!" ;)

How about one of the places that make the vacuum transport tubes for the bank drive up windows?

K

Headline: Man arrested while scoping out a bank for robbery says he was just looking for parts to make a 'Hilbert Curve': :D

Wups, didn't see it was 3/8" tube, saw it as 3" tube. What about something that you can heat and bend?

K

I don't know if these guys can help, but send 'em an e-mail, ya never know. Daren http://www.paplastics.com/

Try Outwater Plastics, if they don't have it or can't get it it probably isn't made.

Try Outwater Plastics, if they don't have it or can't get it it probably isn't made.

Legos

I have a brother that is an independant toy maker in the San Francisco area. PM me if you want me to have him look for something, I can connect you with him. He does this kind of stuff all the time. If they make what you want, he know where to get it :)

try your local aquarium supply house, some of the gravity filters have parts that may work. most that I have seen have been clear (so you can see if a line is plugged).

Working in the water industry, try this place.. thats what they specialize in. www.ryanherco.com (http://www.ryanherco.com)

McMaster Carr has 3/8" quick disconnect 90 degree elbows in semi-clear white or black for just under $5 each bulk price (ouch!).

http://www.mcmaster.com/

They have barbed elbows but I don't think they will work with ridgid tube.

might look at http://www.usplastic.com/catalog/default.asp

they have grey CPVC 90 degree elbows at $1.62 each plus they sell rigid clear plastic piping as well.

they sell clear elbows but they are pricey, like $6.00 each. 3/8 clear piping is $1 a foot.

excuse me, isn't that one of those esher never ending optical illusions? is somebody yanking your chain? plus you might have trademark issues.......

Just found this: http://www.usplastic.com/catalog/variant.asp?catalog%5Fname=USPlastic&category%5Fname=54&product%5Fid=18185&variant%5Fid=34249

Looks like it is the same place that DeWayne posted.

Here is a guy decribing bending clear pvc on his BBQ:
http://fins.actwin.com/aquatic-plants/month.9709/msg00479.html

http://fins.actwin.com/aquatic-plants/month.9709/msg00447.html

Saw another that said to use a plumber's spring inside the tube while heating it to bend.

K

I have a brother that is an independant toy maker in the San Francisco area. PM me if you want me to have him look for something, I can connect you with him. He does this kind of stuff all the time. If they make what you want, he know where to get it :)


Chris, this is from my brothers e-mail;

This is where I go when I need something like that
http://www.tapplastics.com/ (http://www.tapplastics.com/)

but 50 of something is always tough, too few to set up a machine to do, too many to hand make

Hope this helps, he does a lot of cool toys and such!:cool:

excuse me, isn't that one of those esher never ending optical illusions? is somebody yanking your chain? plus you might have trademark issues.......

I dont think it is. I have seen a copper model (which I am using as a reference) and it has two pipes that come down (to start the next repitition of the sequence) and those are what mounts to the base

BTW, I have emailed all of those places and some. I'll see if I get a reply. Perhaps I need to call them

try here.
http://www.harvel.com/pipeclearpvc-components.asp

http://www.usplastic.com/catalog/category.asp?catalog%5Fname=USPlastic&category%5Fname=54&Page=1&MSCSProfile=95385A1F52DEA1A229D5B37542054464D11BDD EFE658EE8C343C4250BEF8A2D56A7B52CB42B9F2DB633DD692 54F86A677B005B98B4C4AF1527D88B8FB2BECF430B83AD6A6A 85ABBFE02AAB0725702B14B2F36410708423C146654F9F2A8C 6F2D744BF80CA4CA6DA0083C5279675F5E2478B311D8783763 79BCB3B7F871188FC43AE51F2DC89C62E7

try here.
http://www.harvel.com/pipeclearpvc-components.asp
:thumbsup:

try here.
http://www.harvel.com/pipeclearpvc-components.asp


Is there a page on that site for white, schedule 40 joints? The same as that page, but not clear? Im trying to get cheaper than $6/piece

I bet ells with those square 90° corners are going to be tough to find.

Is there a page on that site for white, schedule 40 joints? The same as that page, but not clear? Im trying to get cheaper than $6/piece

HD or lowes will have those in white, but you you might not get any light out of them without machining the wall thickness down to .02" or so.

McMaster-Carr also has transparent PVC elbows in 1/2" pipe at a little under 5 bucks a shot, or the white ones at a buck and a half for the 3/8"

K

HD or lowes will have those in white, but you you might not get any light out of them without machining the wall thickness down to .02" or so.

McMaster-Carr also has transparent PVC elbows in 1/2" pipe at a little under 5 bucks a shot, or the white ones at a buck and a half for the 3/8"

K


Thanks keith, the corners don't have to be clear, they can be any color. Id want them clear, but price is the issue

Why not use copper elbows for the corners and clear for the tubes? You could do some interesting things with that.

K