They are doing us a good favor. Are often present in our homes and the drawers of our offices. Stretch and sometimes break. But mine cost me nothing. But what are we talking about? From my strong free rubber bands obtained thanks to the inner tubes of bicycles, motorcycles or trucks.
I gather all my rubber bands in a box. And the ones I make are part of it. I have very small ones, but also very large ones. Their circumference depends on the inner tube that I get when I change the wheels of my bike or by going to ask for one from a car or truck tire specialist.
To get those inner tubes that you may not have on hand right away, do like me:go to a bike repairer or mechanic who will gladly give you (and with a big smile too!) those inner tubes that they would have thrown away anyway.
Steps:
- with scissors , I cut the part where the valve of the inner tube is welded; I then throw it in the gray stocking in the household waste
- I then cut, still with scissors, and well perpendicular to the edge of the inner tube, washers of different widths (from 0.5 cm to 1.5 cm)
- I get my rubber bands and wash them in soapy water to remove the talc on the inside
- I dry them and can then use them.
> The larger the washer I cut out of the inner tube tube , the stronger my elastic but it will be more difficult to stretch. This must be taken into account when I cut my washers which will become rubber bands.
> The thin the washer cut into the inner tube tube , the easier the obtained elastic will be to stretch but it will be more fragile and will also break more easily.
That's why it's interesting not to make them all the same and why I generally cut 1 cm slices but also 0.5 cm and others of 1.5 cm.
I don't have the same length either. of elastic depending on whether I cut them in a bicycle, motorcycle, car or truck inner tube.
As they are solid and I can make them according to my needs, I use them for everything:around cables or extension cords, ski poles, card game boxes, to keep a carpet rolled up. foam or down and even to keep my bags closed in the freezer.
So if you too have ideas for their use or even if you have other ideas than mine for recovering inner tubes, become famous for the time of a post by leaving me your comment here . I'm still sensitive to it!
I save 9.50 € per box of 1 kg of elastic bracelets of 3 widths (narrow, medium and wide) in natural rubber since it is its price among office supply specialists. For my part, I would easily buy 2 boxes a year to have a coherent assortment at home, i.e. a saving of 19 €.
