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View Full Version : homemade tip protectors?



wvgrinder
11-28-2010, 13:15
I'm looking to experiment. I'm poking around the garage today looking for materials to use. I think some wire nuts might work. Any other ideas/suggestions will be appreciated. :-?

4eyedbuzzard
11-28-2010, 13:17
Rubber or plastic tubing of suitable diameter cut to length. Cheap.

4eyedbuzzard
11-28-2010, 13:19
An old piece of vacuum line or fuel hose might work.

Luddite
11-28-2010, 13:21
Tip protectors? You mean for trekking poles?

TallShark
11-29-2010, 12:40
dont they have some indestructible carbide tip??

Grampie
11-29-2010, 14:41
Why would you need them??

Old Hiker
11-29-2010, 15:08
I have a wooden staff - I use rubber crutch tips. I put one on over 15 years ago and it is still doing great.

sbhikes
11-29-2010, 15:16
I've wondered if I could use leftover zip-fizz containers. I used tip protectors only to protect things from the tips, not to protect the tips themselves. Mostly to keep me from poking holes in peoples car ceilings.

daltontr
12-01-2010, 10:20
Old tennis balls. (They also work pretty good in rocky terrain)

Franco
12-07-2010, 17:25
You are in luck...
Yesterday I went to the local hardware shop to find some pole extenders. That was to get a 120cm pole to 145cm (for a TT Sublite...)
Whilst there I picked up two caulk tube nozzles to use as a pole insert.
They are free at my local store and look "custom" made for your intended purpose.
Depending on the exact size of your tip you may need to cut a bit from the wide end for a tight fit.
(this is for during transport, not use...)
http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e389/Francophoto/Pole-tip.jpg
Franco

amac
12-07-2010, 20:19
I'm no longer a believer in tip protectors. Not because they don't work (they do a good job keep things quiet), but I lost one tip on each of three consecutive hikes. I even tried gluing them on with Gorilla Glue.

Franco
12-08-2010, 01:33
Yes , keeping the original manufacturers on to muffle the noise is not easy. For a few years I did that and after losing some I started to tape them on.
I occasionally replaced the tape (Gaffer type) as it was wearing down but then got tired of that and buying new caps , so now I just click clack.
Again my suggestion was ONLY for transport , not walking and as stated they are free (as long as you buy something there,hopefully...) and need only a quick snip of the top to be ready.
Franco

wvgrinder
12-09-2010, 15:19
Why would you need them??

If my tips get too worn out, they won't hold up my tent. And they make my poles quieter. I believe the clicking on rocks can scare off wildlife.

Tinker
12-09-2010, 16:18
Why would you need them??

They're actually floor, sidewalk, etc. protectors.
Wire nuts would be a bad idea. They'll slip on slick surfaces.

Tinker
12-09-2010, 16:20
Every year I find a tip or two on the trail (usually stuck in the mud). I usually leave them at the next shelter up the trail. I assume the shelter maintainer packs them out if they aren't retrieved.

LoneRidgeRunner
12-09-2010, 17:46
I use Leki poles with the carbide tips and have used them for years on mud, dirt, rock, ice ,pavement with no signs of wear so why would you need tip protectors? The Carbide tips have never slipped on dry rock, wet rock, or ice like some people may say...(at least they haven't slipped on me) Now if you go to a discount department store and buy those pieces of junk from there the tips will be gone in no time. You get what you pay for usually. Ask me how I know about the discount department store variety?///

4eyedbuzzard
12-09-2010, 20:57
How do you know about the discount department store variety?

Wise Old Owl
12-09-2010, 20:59
Why would you need them??

What? have you ever taken them off and walked down a trail in the fall...

Nice Collection......

ocourse
12-11-2010, 21:57
Discarded, disposable pipette tips from a laboratory.
http://www.membrane-solutions.com/pipette_micro_tips.htm