Make your own Kraft Paper Tubes

I've enjoyed making homemade model rockets ever since I was a kid. I make almost every part of my rockets from scratch, including the paper tubes for the rocket bodies.

I often need to make homemade paper tubes for other projects as well, so I thought this deserved a proper write-up. Hopefully someone will find this information useful.

Note that these tubes will not be adequate for any firework-type application, if that's what you're looking for. There are plenty of tutorials online for making convolute (or parallel, non-spiral wound) paper tubes. 

Step 1: Materials

First, you will need some kraft paper. I bought a 36-inch wide roll at Home Depot a few years ago, and it will probably last me a few more. Sometimes I use thin painter's masking paper, but only as a final layer. You can get this at home improvement stores as well.

You will also need some water-soluble glue. I use Titebond (which is a basic woodworking glue), but you could use Elmer's or something similar.

Other basics you will need are a long ruler, cutting mat with rotary cutter or x-acto blade, paint brush, masking tape, and rags.

Most importantly, you will also need some kind of existing tube to use as a form. I generally use pieces of PVC or old cardboard tubes (like mailing tubes, carpet roll tubes, etc.), but I have also used steel pipe and other random cylindrical objects.

For whatever item you use as a form, it is crucial that it is true (meaning without any warps or bends). You can quickly test objects out by placing them on a flat surface and rolling them back and forth. If you see any light coming through along the bottom edge at any point, it means the tube is not true and you should use something else.

Comments

[godspiral]

great post. Thank you.

Do you think it would be possible to make a very large diameter tube without a complete form?

For instance using a narrow tube and moving it inside, as you wind from the bottom?

[seamster]

I don't think that would be possible. It's a tedious process with iffy results of you're not very careful as is. I think trying something like you suggest would be incredibly frustrating, and just plain not work. Sorry!

[junglebrad]

Do you think these could be used to make this project?

http://www.instructables.com/id/Tube-Light/

[seamster]

Ah, probably not. These tubes I make are a lot more work than it would be worth for a project like the tube light. For the tube light, I would just use mailing tubes or something similar. It would save you a lot of time and hassle.

[PaulTozzi]

When making your own rockets, do you make your own nosecones as well? If you do, how do you do it?

[seamster]

I have, yes. Although I don't have it down to a science, like I do for the tubes. I've used homemade paper cones, plastic easter eggs, carved balsa or foam, and a number of other things. To be honest, it's a weak spot in my homemade designs.

[PaulTozzi]

Thanks for the quick response! I've been looking everywhere for a method that allows me to make any size nosecone, but can't seem to find any. I would definitely use carved balsa if I had a lathe.

[Dream Dragon]

Nice work. However as a professional pyrotechnician, I'd have some doubts about a "spiral wound tube as a motor housing, or in a lot of other applications. I would usually recommend a straight wrap, especially for anything which may have to hold back the kind of pressures that might develop if things go wrong.

I know it's done, and as long as things work as they should, you can get away with it.

Alternating Direction is a good thought, but will indeed tend to loosen the layer underneath.

Paper does have grain, but it's not quite like wood. The issue here is more about the seams than the paper itself.

Please don't think I'm trying to rain on your parade, those tubes are very good and they do look very useful. Your Instructable is well documented and nicely presented.

I know Fireworks can be fun, and god knows how frustrated I am at the Laws here in the UK that prevent a lot of fun experimentation even by professionals like me.

Have fun, but do stay safe folks.

[seamster]

Thank you for your words. I've never done any work with fireworks, so I'll take your advice there. As far as using spiral-wound tubes for rocket motors mounts, I should have noted that I've only ever worked with relatively small-scale Estes rocket motors. So for those, at least, these homemade motor mount tubes have always been adequate. They are very similar in beefiness to kraft paper tubes that are available for purchase for the same applications--like these.

For pyrotechnic devices or larger scale rockets, you are most certainly correct about using a stronger straight-wrap technique.

[Captain Pedantic]

Do you ever alternate the direction of the spiral for greater strength?

[seamster]

I tried alternating the direction of the second layer one time, but as I wrapped it on it seemed to loosen up the first layer that had initially been tight on the form.

It does seem logical that doing so would make the tube stronger, kind of like how plywood is made, but it didn't seem to work very well.

[Captain Pedantic]

Yeah, and on second thought, since there is no grain to paper, it probably wouldn't make as much difference as with wood.

[timwikander]

Awesome! Super informative but easy to follow directions. The egg nog bit made me laugh too. Can't wait to make some tubes.

[Denger]

Nice instructable. The price of commercially made model rocket tubes (even when bought in bulk) has always galled me, so I will have to try your method. Thank you!

[AngryRedhead]

Endlessly useful!  Great job!