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One Great Tip » Great Caulking Tip
Great Caulking Tip
by Dale Coats
Posted: November 12, 2010
You may not think of caulk as something you use in the shop, so much as something you use for home improvement, but I find myself reaching for a tube of silicone caulk very often. It’s a great adhesive, remaining pliable even under the duress of wood movement. I frequently make my own raised panel door frame fillers by squeezing silicone caulk onto wax paper, letting it dry, and then cutting the dried caulk into segment.
The problem is the unused tube of caulk. It’s easy for those tubes to go bad. Here’s a nice tip to prevent that.
I found a great way to save those half used caulking tubes after trying everything from putting a nail in the end, to using the little tip some of them come with. If I have to store it for awhile it always dries up, and when you need it, run to the store and get some more. Well instead you can store them for a long long time with this. Buy a wax toilet gasket ring for $2.00. One will last you forever. Put the wax in a small container, I used a router bit case with a top on it, this keeps the wax from getting all over, and the wax case is small enough to put in your tool box and take it with you. After you caulk something and have some left over, just push the tip of the caulk tube into the wax (approx. a couple of inches) and it seals the tube closed.
When you need to use your half used tube, put it in your gun and squeeze out the wax and you are in business! Cost $2.00 Convenience; priceless!
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4 Comments
Dale, Great idea, never thought of that one, thanks. I have a question about the router case with top. You use that as the protable applicator and not the storage device, right? If its the storage device, I might have a time finding these type of containers.
How about 35mm film cans? You can usually get all you need for free at the local pharmacy. I melt the toilet bowl ring in a double boiler some day when my wife isn't home. Then I fill several film cans and replace their tops. Good to use for screw lube as well. The can tops keep everything neat and clean in the bottom of your tool box.
Great idea. I do the following. I cut a finger off a used latex glove. I use them when finishing. I slide the cut off finger over the tube end and use masking tape to hold it there. It also keeps the unused portion for a very long time.
I really enjoy your tips, they are most useful.