Soft Bits

What a niche topic, but here goes...

I like having soft bits on my pipes... the kind that every store sells... partly for comfort, partly for protection. But what I don't get is, why the thick collar? When I put them on a stem, flush with the tip of the bit, the tip of the bit is so darned thick. I have gone to trimming the thick collar off, but then the soft bit is kinda short.

Anybody use any alternatives? Would be nice to just get this in a tube and trim the length I want.

Dave

You can use a heat shrink tubing, or silicone tubing instead of the molded softies.

Commander Quan said:

You can use a heat shrink tubing, or silicone tubing instead of the molded softies.

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when u use the heat shrink tubing do u actually heat it so it shrinks to fit?

Yes.

However, I don't use it. I actually like the thickness of the softies. My pipes tend to be big, and I clench, so the extra cushion makes them easier to grip. Now if I could just find someway to prevent the TMJ.

Commander Quan said:

Yes.

However, I don't use it. I actually like the thickness of the softies. My pipes tend to be big, and I clench, so the extra cushion makes them easier to grip. Now if I could just find someway to prevent the TMJ.

Click to expand...

I'm not big on clenching, for me i end up slobbering more while clenching and it can get kind of gross

Commander Quan said:

You can use a heat shrink tubing, or silicone tubing instead of the molded softies.

Click to expand...

Heat shrink tubing, now that's an idea. Not much cushion, but good protection. Gonna swing by the local Fry's Electronics and check it out.

Dave

Boro62 said:

I'm not big on clenching, for me i end up slobbering more while clenching and it can get kind of gross

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For some reason clenching a pipe does not have that effect on me, but clenching a cigar does. Trying to do yard work work with a cigar is twice as much work as without.

Boro62 said:

I'm not big on clenching, for me i end up slobbering more while clenching and it can get kind of gross

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Ditto. I also hate the rubber taste that I get from the softy bits.

I bought some plastic tubing for my pipes and it works pretty well.

I am a cascading clincher as well.

cursethis said:

Ditto. I also hate the rubber taste that I get from the softy bits.

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Senshi said:

I bought some plastic tubing for my pipes and it works pretty well.

I am a cascading clincher as well.

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good to know im not alone

Boro62 said:

good to know im not alone

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We shall call ourselves...the three droolers!

I turn into a Saint Bernard if a pipe touches my lips for more than a couple seconds.

I just do this every once in a while:

Why not put the bit on backwards, so the flared part is beyond where your teeth go? Otherwise I'd go to the hardware store and get some tubing, there's some in the plumbing section that's probably perfect for this, thick and soft but tough.

cursethis said:

Ditto. I also hate the rubber taste that I get from the softy bits.

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The B. J. Long softies don't have any taste that I can discern. I believe they are made in the USA. They are more expensive, but IMO they are worth it.

DavidB said:

Heat shrink tubing, now that's an idea. Not much cushion, but good protection. Gonna swing by the local Fry's Electronics and check it out.

Dave

Click to expand...

Is that stuff safe to put in your mouth?

Not all softies are equal, the cheaper ones initially have a rubber taste, the more expensive ones don't and are a bit thicker and more cushion as well.

.....where can a weary traveler buy this shrink rubber or silicone tubing?

Hardware store?

Fry's Electronics has shrink tubing in various sizes and colors, probably Radio Shack, too.

Dave