Does anyone know where I can get siphon tubes in bulk?

[CFarias]

Howdy from Texas, everyone:

Does anyone know where I can get siphon tubing in bulk? These are the straws that draw paint from paint jars into airbrushes. I'm particularling interested in the kind used by Aztek/Testors, but I'd like to get answers for Badgers, Paasche, Iwata, etc., as I think these answers will help everyone.

Now, I know I can buy replacements at the hobby stores, but I'd like to find them as raw lengths of tubing that I can cut myself. I'm sure this would be less expensive.

Thanks for everyone's input.

[Adam Baker]

If you can measure the ID & OD of the tubing, I would just go to Home Depot or Lowes, and get it there. You should be able to buy it by the foot for pennies.

[CFarias]

Thanks for the reply, Baker, but the tubing they sell, at least in my area, is too large. I've had the same bad luck with on-line sites as well. Thanks again for the help.

[Didymus]

Originally Posted by CFarias

Now, I know I can buy replacements at the hobby stores...

...in Pasadena, TX, maybe, but not in Pasadena, CA. I have checked every hobby shop in town, with no success.

You can get short tubes from Hobbylinc and Tower, but the shipping is exorbitant (especially considering the weight of these things.) So it makes sense to wait until you're ready to place a large order.

I know of no place that sells reels of the "right" stuff, which is NOT the same as surgical tubing.

If you plan to use tubing made of material not known to be lacquer-resistant, test with lacquer thinner first. You don't want your siphon tube to turn to goo and contaminate a whole bottle of expensive paint, or clog your airbrush.

Ddms