Clear plastic tubes?

[Rmartin]

Can someone tell me where I can buy those clear plastic tubes for pens?

 

[Verne]

Richard,
My short answer is that I don't know a good supplier of the tubes. Having said that, a few years back someone organized a group buy on these things and I, for one, am hoping whoever it was will see your post and do it again.
Vern

 

[rando81]

Woodcraft sells them but I'm not sure of how much

 

[LEAP]

Just bought some this week at woodcraft $6.50 for 10 of them.

 

[LostintheWoods]

Woodturningz just had them on their bi-weekly specials, but the sale ended Tuesday. Give Ryan a call. Also, Hut has them.

 

[wpenm]

http://www.jcdanczak.com/our_products/prod_142.html This is where we get our tubes. The caps are sold sep.

 

[GaryMGg]

IF you need a lot of these, here's a source:
The group buy I just closed for velvet pen sleeves is from Madden Brand High; they used to be called Howard Promotions. Google Howard Promotions, you'll find something that starts with http://howardpromotions.logomall.com search for "pen case" then reorder the results by Low Price.
They sell plastic pen cases starting at, IIRC, $.20
Call Jamie Brannon with Madden Brand High to order.

 

[JeffinWIS]

McMaster-Carr has clear plastic shipping tubes in various sizes. 1/2" tube 4' long is $1.08. The square end caps are reasonable also.

 

[Rmartin]

Thanks very much!

Lots of good choices

Rmartin

 

[ed4copies]

If you do a price oomparison and determine who is lowest, please post.

I have been buying 300 at a time from Hut - but if there is a cheaper way, I'd love to know about it!!

Thanks,

Ed

 

[guts]

last I bought from woodturningz was 40 cents each,the more you buy the less they cost,that's with the caps.

 

[bgray]

I just bought enough tube material and endcaps from McMaster Carr to put together about 180 pen tubes for about $38.

Not bad at 21 cents a piece. You can cut to length, as well.

 

[Rmartin]

Ed,
I didn't do a detailed price breakdown, but I think the link Garry posted is a good deal. They have them on sale, 100 for $20.90 and the caps are 100 for $1.50. I bought 200 which brought my total with shipping to $58.00. That's 28 cents a peice with shipping and that should last me like forever. I use them very rarely.

Rmartin
I cut corners

 

[laserturner]

http://www.cleartecpackaging.com/
Here's a link to where I buy my tubes. I just purchased a case (250) of 48"x7/8" dia. medium wall tubing and 5000 hex end caps. For the average sized pen, that breaks down to $.13 per tube with caps. I use quite a few for my inlay kits as well as return packaging for pen engraving. For each pen you send for engraving you get it returned in a plastic tube absolutely free. Best deal in town!!

 

[Glass Scratcher]

Originally posted by laserturner
<br />http://www.cleartecpackaging.com/
Here's a link to where I buy my tubes. I just purchased a case (250) of 48"x7/8" dia. medium wall tubing and 5000 hex end caps. For the average sized pen, that breaks down to $.13 per tube with caps. I use quite a few for my inlay kits as well as return packaging for pen engraving. For each pen you send for engraving you get it returned in a plastic tube absolutely free. Best deal in town!!

Didn't see medium walled Hex tube in their catalogue. Did you have a custom tube order?

 

[Rmartin]

Ken,

What do you use to cut the tubes?

Rmartin
I cut corners

 

[GaryMGg]

http://www.cleartecpackaging.com/
...For the average sized pen, that breaks down to $.13 per tube with caps....

I have no vested interest in the vendor for which I posted information.
However, in calculating cost, one ought to include the time and energy necessary to
convert the raw material from 4' tubes into the proper length. It may go beyond $.07 per. When costs are being considered, Time is usually more expensive than production inputs.

 

[laserturner]

I use a paper cutter Richard. It goes by quickly this way but still does take a bit of time. I need the flexibility of having different lengths so for me getting the 48" lengths is the way to go.

 

[laserturner]

Sorry guys, wrong vendor. Here's a link to the medium wall tubes. http://www.visipak.com You're right Cleartec doesn't carry the medium wall. Prices are comparable for both companies.

 

[btboone]

MSC has them too. I cut them with a shear, similar to a paper cutter. They have the red vinyl caps to plug them. I cut the tube around a quarter inch short, and when the caps are on, it centers the pen without it touching the walls.