Date: Tue, 10 Nov 2009 16:51:56 -0500
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Subject: 3 Re: [DCHAS-L] Tool selection for removing hoses from glassware

From: Pierre Chantal 
Date: November 10, 2009 3:33:54 PM EST
Subject: Re: [DCHAS-L] Tool selection for removing hoses from glassware

Just to add to the above... 
When tubing get hold and hard, I might use  a few drops of the lubricant 
WD-40 to soften the plastic or... 
I might use a sharp blade and  remove small layer at a time operating 
the  blade in an horizontal plan away from you... never add an injury 

 Thanks 

===

From: Stephen Stepenuck 
Date: November 10, 2009 3:50:06 PM EST
Subject: Re: [DCHAS-L] Tool selection for removing hoses from glassware

Step 0:  Instruction of lab personnel re how and how not to do it,  viz. 
THINK about what can/will happen if/when a knife slips.

What has worked well for me and my students is 
1.  Keep a short [1=972-foot?] piece of 2x6 or so lumber in the lab, or 
better yet, a small cutting board with legs, to allow room for part of 
the glassware, e.g. a suction flask to clear the lab bench.  This will 
minimize or eliminate the free-hand stuff that in my opinion causes most 
of the slips and cuts.
2.  Use a utility scissors to cut off the tubing as close as possible to 
the end of the glass ferrule or sidearm.  You now have the problem area 
localized, and are no longer dealing with several feet of flailing 
tubing, that is distracting, and thus dangerous.
3.  Place the glass sidearm-with-1-inch-stuck-tubing-on-it flat and 
firmly upon the edge of the cutting board.  [Left edge if you=92re 
right-handed.]
4.  Keeping the appropriate fingers away, slice the rubber or polymer 
tubing lengthwise along the glass sidearm.  A retractable razor knife 
does work well here, but if it slips, will dig into the board.
5.  With no tools, use the side of your thumb at the site of the slice 
to peel off the stuck tubing by rotating it around the sidearm.  Some 
water lubrication can be helpful here.

There is also an electrician=92s tool for making a longitudinal central 
cut in the sheathing along ordinary [NM?] electric cable, in preparation 
for inserting the individual conductors into a workbox.  That uses a 
recessed triangular blade.  However, that blade is so short in the 
models I have seen, that I doubt it would work on thick tubing.  It 
might work or at least help with PVC or similar thin-walled tubing.  
Perhaps an electrical supply store might have one with a longer blade.

Good luck!  That is indeed a potentially dangerous operation.

Steve

-- 
Stephen J. Stepenuck, Ph.D.
Professor of chemistry emeritus
Keene State College
Keene NH 03435-2001
sstepenuck**At_Symbol_Here**ne.rr.com
603.352.7540

===
From: "Koster Sandra K" 
Date: November 10, 2009 3:54:44 PM EST
Subject: RE: [DCHAS-L] Tool selection for removing hoses from glassware

You might try glycerol (glycerine) for lubrication to help remove the 
tubing.  Besides being a great lubricant, it is water soluble so it=92s 
easy to get rid of after you=92re done.
 
Sandra Koster
Univ. of Wisconsin - La Crosse
 

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