The hazards of tool tubes

[elizilla]

Since the Givi luggage racks have this huge gap on the right side, where the left side has an exhaust, I made a tool tube like the ones you see on WeeStroms. It looks pretty good. So that my tools would not rattle, I bundled them up in a rag and tied it with a velcro strap.

Well, I just pulled those tools out, and I have a problem. The tool tube leaked, and it is full of mold. I threw away the rag and straps, and I'm sure the mold will rinse off the tools. They have rusted a bit, but oil will probably take care of that. I'm thinking I will throw this tool tube away rather than trying to clean it.

Before I make another tool tube, does anyone have advice on how to prevent this problem? Should I drill drain holes in it, or should I try to make it waterproof?

 

[Venture]

Any idea where the water got in? If you can identify that then go the "make it waterproof" route. What tube is it?

 

[elizilla]

I made it out of PVC pipe and fittings from Lowes. I didn't buy the special PVC cement to glue it with, though - I figured I didn't need any more barely used bottles of noxious chemicals on the shelf, and I could just glue it with some adhesive I already had, since I wasn't going to be actually using it as plumbing and trying to keep water from leaking out. I didn't think about water leaking in. I suppose I should buy the special cement after all. I used a screw in plug for the opening to take things in and out - that's not glued; I wonder how waterproof it is? I suppose I should fill the tube with water and find out where it leaks.

I really did find an extraordinary amount of rain on my recent trip. I suppose I shouldn't be surprised that it found its way into the tool tube.

 

[Venture]

Yeah, I'd figure out where the tube needs the waterproofing and go that route.

Alternatively, these are dirt cheap and should do the trick out of the box:

http://www.agrisupply.com/product.asp?pn=67670&sid=&eid=

I'm not sure how much they get to ship, but other folks have used these with great success.

 

[snuffcityrider]

Maybe put some plumbers tape around the threads of the screw on cap?

 

[Twitch]

Alternatively, these are dirt cheap and should do the trick out of the box:

http://www.agrisupply.com/product.asp?pn=67670&sid=&eid=

I'm not sure how much they get to ship, but other folks have used these with great success.

Hah! That’s exactly the size I was looking for to replace the stock tube on my KL250 … <$10 shipped. Thx.

 

[Spider]

Katherine, if the budget allows, this is what I'm considering:

http://www.thetooltube.com/Home.html

 

[Venture]

Katherine, if the budget allows, this is what I'm considering:

http://www.thetooltube.com/Home.html

That guy's "Tool Tube" (regular size) is the same as the one in the link I posted. It's higher priced. He does offer other sizes though that I haven't been able to find elsewhere.

 

[colorider]

Since the Givi luggage racks have this huge gap on the right side, where the left side has an exhaust, I made a tool tube like the ones you see on WeeStroms. It looks pretty good. So that my tools would not rattle, I bundled them up in a rag and tied it with a velcro strap.

Well, I just pulled those tools out, and I have a problem. The tool tube leaked, and it is full of mold. I threw away the rag and straps, and I'm sure the mold will rinse off the tools. They have rusted a bit, but oil will probably take care of that. I'm thinking I will throw this tool tube away rather than trying to clean it.

Before I make another tool tube, does anyone have advice on how to prevent this problem? Should I drill drain holes in it, or should I try to make it waterproof?

Sounds like you made yours the same as the one I had on my DL650. It never leaked, but then I did use the actual PVC primer and cement. As cheap as they are to make, I would suggest making a new one and use the recommended PVC primer and glue.

Good luck!

 

[elizilla]

Venture, that tube looks a bit smaller than the one I made, but even with the shipping it's cheaper than making another, and it's certainly easier. And it is likely more waterproof. So I ordered one. Thanks!

 

[limey]

Yeah, I'd figure out where the tube needs the waterproofing and go that route.

Alternatively, these are dirt cheap and should do the trick out of the box:

http://www.agrisupply.com/product.asp?pn=67670&sid=&eid=

I'm not sure how much they get to ship, but other folks have used these with great success.

These tool tubes are excellent I had two on my WEE, the shipping to Canada was a bit expensive so what I did was ordered four and sold the spare two to pay for the shipping. I used one for my tools and the other for my chain lube .And no leaks..
Paul..

 

[Twitch]

Posted the ag-supply tube idea over in the advrider sherpa thread and got some feedback and a photo to look at with four mounted on an F600 HERE. I ordered one. Think I’m going to see how they may work on my s10 as well.

 

[Checkswrecks]

Since the Givi luggage racks have this huge gap on the right side, where the left side has an exhaust, I made a tool tube like the ones you see on WeeStroms. It looks pretty good. So that my tools would not rattle, I bundled them up in a rag and tied it with a velcro strap.

Well, I just pulled those tools out, and I have a problem. The tool tube leaked, and it is full of mold. I threw away the rag and straps, and I'm sure the mold will rinse off the tools. They have rusted a bit, but oil will probably take care of that. I'm thinking I will throw this tool tube away rather than trying to clean it.

Before I make another tool tube, does anyone have advice on how to prevent this problem? Should I drill drain holes in it, or should I try to make it waterproof?

Regardless of the tool tube, try wrapping the bundle of tools in a rag that you lightly oil. It's also easier to get a corner of the work rag to pull out the roll of tools.


Unless there is a lot of water, the oil displaces moisture, so the tools stay dry and it keeps an oily film on them. My Dad would use plain engine oil on a rag that was in the toolbox he kept in the trunk, but the modern ACF-50 and other sprays spread much better and aren't as greasy when you need to use a tool.


Bob

 

[digitalmoto]

Regardless of the tool tube, try wrapping the bundle of tools in a rag that you lightly oil. It's also easier to get a corner of the work rag to pull out the roll of tools.


Unless there is a lot of water, the oil displaces moisture, so the tools stay dry and it keeps an oily film on them. My Dad would use plain engine oil on a rag that was in the toolbox he kept in the trunk, but the modern ACF-50 and other sprays spread much better and aren't as greasy when you need to use a tool.


Bob

My dad's trick was WD-40. We used it to keep the guns clean and rust free.

 

[gfoulke]

Hah! That’s exactly the size I was looking for to replace the stock tube on my KL250 … <$10 shipped. Thx.

Has anyone found a decent place to mount this on the S10? I have this tool tube, but it's too long to mount on the skid plate, nor does it fit on the right side, opposite the exhaust. The tube itself fits, but the the mounting brackets interfere with the pannier racks. Anyone have any success with this?


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[Checkswrecks]

Has anyone found a decent place to mount this on the S10? I have this tool tube, but it's too long to mount on the skid plate, nor does it fit on the right side, opposite the exhaust. The tube itself fits, but the the mounting brackets interfere with the pannier racks. Anyone have any success with this?


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See http://supertenere1200.com for more photos of DCStrom's bike. The tool tube is tucked nicely under his left crash bar.

 

[roadlizard]

Bought the Tooltube Megatube and bolted the tube to the inside of the right pannier. It is on about the same level as the muffler and fits the space nicely with no wheel clearance issues.

The tube access has a rubber gasket which seal out water. There is a small vent hole in the tube which I sealed to keep water out.

The bike is equipped with Happy Trails panniers which provided a nice flat metal mounting surface. May not fit as well on other panniers.

 

[avc8130]

I put a pair on the Givi engine guards today. I am happy with how the right came out:

I am not thrilled with the left. The spacing on the Givis is a little different on the left so I need to make an adapter plate to mount similar to the right. This will hold me over for now:

Each will get a 33oz fuel container to give me or someone else in my group a few emergency miles.

ac