Scale Radiator Hose

[Jasonb]

Does anyone have a source for scale radiator hose, I'm looking for 3/16" ID and preferably a wall thickness of less than 1mm as it is a 1/5th scale engine. I have tested the water pump with clear aquarium air hose but one it looks wrong being clear and two its a bit thick as you can see.

Model Engine Builder recently had an article on using a thermoplastic hose called "Santoprene" but from what I have Googled the 3/16" bore has a 1/16" wall thickness. I know Blackgates and Bruce do silicon tube but from what I recall they are quite thick walled as well. I seem to remember having a black fuel line at one time on an RC car but don't remember where it came from.

Anyone got a source preferably in the UK but not essential.

Thank, Jason

Edit Just found the black fuel line on a helicopter not a car but at 3mm bore it looks too stretched out when fitted to the 3/16" pipe. Do they make big bore fuel line? maybe for the 1:5 cars

 

[jim hay]

Hi Jason
Dwight Giles did a nice article in Model Engine Builder magazine recently about making scale model radiator hoses, hope this helps, a friend in models. Jim Hay

 

[Jasonb]

Thanks Jim but as I said in my opening post the Santoprene as mentioned in MEB that I have been able to find has a 1/16" wall thickness, I'm looking for something more like 1/32"


A few leads I have now got are:

drip feed irrigation tube - 4mm bore
Car screenwash tube - 5mm bore
Mountain bike hydralic brake lines - 5mm

Jason

 

[portlandron]

Shops that repair lawn mowers have a thin walled plastic tube that is used for fuel lines. The type I have seen is black. If you want ribs on it you could find some mono filament fishing line the right size and wind it around the outside of the tube.