These Little Things Really Work

[sweensdv]

Some time ago when Lee Valley was offering one of their free shipping deals I addedd a package of nozzle caps to my cart. I wasn't sure if they were a gimmick or not but being Lee Valley I just assumed they would work. Well work they did. Sometime around the end of lasts year I had a honey do that required I only use a partial tube of caulk. I capped the tube with one of the nozzle caps and put it away. Today I needed a little caulk for another honey do job and grabbed that tube of caulk. I really thought that the caulk in the nozzle at least would be hard but no, it was as soft and ready to use as the day I opened the tube up.

I know that it's not a real big deal that these little do dads actually worked but it's kind of nice to every now and then to come across a product that actually does what they claim it will do. It doesn't hurt either that it didn't break the bank to buy them in the first place. They probably are available locally for some but I've never seen them but then I've never looked for them either.

[pelligrini]

Thanks for the report. I've been meaning to get some on my next LV order, but I always forget. Glad to hear that the little rubbers work.

Maybe I ought to get a set and throw in their low angle block plane or a shoulder plane. I never like having a box shipped to me with only one item...

[os1kne]

Thanks. It's nice to hear that they work. I've been curious about them, but have continued to use golf tees, drywall screws, duct tape, etc. to plug the end of a tube of caulk. Success rate for these methods appears to be about 50%, probably depending on amount of time between uses.

[charliex]

I have not tried this but I understand that wire nuts work well.

[phrog]

Some time ago someone on this site reported using a wax toilet ring (seal) for the purpose of sealing caulk tubes. I tried it and it works like a charm. Just wipe the end clean and then plunge the end into the ring. When you're ready to reuse, just a little pressure pushes the wax out. Wipe it off and you're ready to go. And the toilet seals are readily available at Lowes or HD for less than a $1 and can be used for dozens if not hundreds of times. Wish I could remember who to credit for this but my memory ain't too good any more.

[os1kne]

I've used wire nuts, they work about as well as golf tees or duct tape - just so-so from my experience.

I like the wax ring idea. I keep a wax ring on my workbench for lubricating screws to be driven into hardwood. For about $1, they last forever.

[gsmittle]

I use the finger of whatever nitrile gloves I was wearing when I used the caulk. Seems to work ok if I make sure to get the air out of the glove.

g.

[jdon]

I suppose LV calling them "socks" is more genteel than something else they remind me of- which come in foil packets

[chopnhack]

LOL @ Jdon.. beat me to it :-)

I too + the glove, whatever pair I was wearing thats not too dirty, gets recycled for that purpose and the once one time use silicone becomes reusable

[gsmittle]

I suppose LV calling them "socks" is more genteel than something else they remind me of- which come in foil packets

Chocolate??

g.