simplest tentacle/hand Richard Landon cable mechanism basics

Adam Bradley

I bought some Nylon Tubing from McMaster Carr, and it doesn't move like Richard Landon gets his to move.  This that I have almost seems, brittle, like its going to stress break at the joints.  I don't see Nylon tubing at Home Depot.  I think what they have is Vinyl, which is too rubbery, and Polyethylene, which doesn't really spring back.  

Does anyone know where to get, and, well, WHAT to get, that has a good return like what is in the tutorial?

Thanks,

Adam

Christopher Vaughan

Hi Adam, Nylon is not UV resistant and gets more and more brittle the more sunlight you expose it to. You could have gotten a bad piece ( i like the black stuff at home depot for drip irrigation systems). you can also try Delrin/acetal tubing.

Adam Bradley

Thanks, I'll give the irrigation hose a try.  It looks like Grainger in town has nylon tubing, too.  I can pick it up from there another day.

Adam

Sam Vura

I realize this post is 10 years old, but did anyone ever find out exactly which nylon tubing Richard used from McMaster car?  I'm building a simple hand mechanism and prefer to get the same tubing he used instead of doing trial and error with other tubing materials.  

Matt Winston

Hi Sam, We passed your question along to instructor Richard Landon, and while he couldn't remember the exact brand or size (we shot this course over 10 years ago), he had this to say:

"That is a stiff, nylon tube, not something soft like vinyl or Tygon. You need the stiffness so that it will bring back into shape. Little bit of a guess, but I think this is the right stuff. Not 100% sure though… (see attached screenshot)"

Sam Vura

Matt,

Wow I thank you and Amy for going above and beyond and speaking with 
Richard directly!  Thank you for continuing to keep this invaluable resource going!

Matt Winston

It's our pleasure, Sam. Please share pictures of your hand mech after you've built it!

Sam Vura

Absolutely Matt.   Thank you!