Since I only plan to lay a few feet of roadbed or track at a time, what is a good way tokeep the tube from drying out in between times?
BB
BB, what I use (I am a painter so I use alot of caulk) is … nothing. The caulk in the end of the nozzle will harden thus sealing the rest of the tube, although I rarely DONT use the tube for more than 2-4 weeks so I couldnt say for a longer period of time.
However, when I have used clear silicon sealant which doesnt ‘seal itself’ I use one of the large twist on electrical wire connectors as a tube cap. This threads itself onto the caulk tube nozzle and produces an airtight seal. I have left a tube of CSS like this for 6 months with no problem.
If the nozzle does clogup I usually push a thick piece of wire (old coathanger) down the nozzle to clear it.
Hope this helps.
Have fun & be safe.
Karl.
I just push a small chunk of extruded foam over the sharp nozzle and place the whole thing aside where it won’t get knocked around. If the nozzle is well into the foam, you should have to dig out a small plug of dried stuff when next you need it. The other thing is to use a piece of plastic sandwich wrap and a rubber band.
I take a piece of 2x2 about 4 inches long, and drill a hole in one end with a tapered step drill. I pu***his over the end of the spout, and the caulk doesn’t dry out for several months.
Since I only open a VERY tiny hole in the tube, I just put a pushpin in it when I’m done using it.
–Randy
You can buy a cap made just for just this purpose at Menards, Lowes, etc. I remember it being something like two for $1.49. I have a partially used tube of latex caulk from last fall that is still good.
Stick a 16d nail (or one that fits) down in the hole. The shank will keep the tube open and the head will seal off the end.
Ukguy: I like the idea about a large wire nut .
REX
If you can stick a 16d nail in it - I think you made the hole too big! I can BARELY stick a #20 wire in the hole I make, to puncture the inner seal. A tiny amount of caulk goes a LONG way. For the roadbed it’s not such a big deal, but for the track - if it’s squishing up between the ties, you used too much. I do use some extra to ease transitions down from the mainline HO roadbed to the N scale I use on sidings - I shim with cereal box cardboard and apply the caulk a little thick to hold it all together and allow a smooth ramp down.
–Randy
Wire nuts. Just get one the right size and screw it on the end of the tube. It will last a long time that way.
I use the small tubes of clear silicone for roadbed and track, and they have their own screw cap…no problems. Now the Liquid Nails does harden in the tube.
Here’s a thought for those who are still landscaping … rather than try to save that remaining caulk in the tube, use it as part of your landscape. I’ve done this several times for areas needing a bit of a rise, a bank around a pond, creek bed or a berm, etc. Paint it - landscape over it and it blends in nicely.
As someone might have said before me, “Caulk is Cheap!” [swg]
I use a dry wall screw. The threads help pull any dryed caulk out the next time you use it (upgrade from a nail!).