I’m in the beginning of a new pack build for the Cleveland Con in February and my goal is to end up somewhere between screen accuracy and realistic ease/functionality. One thing that I’m up against is the hose connecting the pack to the wand. I’ve done both the split and split-less loom and really don’t like how stiff they are. They never seem to lay properly when holding the gun or when the gun is on the belt. To get it as tight as I’d like it, it can pull at the gun mount. I’ve experimented with some different tubings, like Fluval aquarium tubing, and have gotten some better results, but I’m still not completely satisfied.
So - is there something that someone has used/seen in person that is more flexible than the loom, but still retains the look and size of it? I’d like it to have enough weight to lay in a nice U-shape while holding the gun and effortlessly flex into position when attached to the pack. Vacuum cleaner hose and other helix reinforced PVC hoses look like great candidates, but I’ve not seen a properly sized version of either and don’t really want to blindly order online if I don’t have to. Some interesting candidates are linked below. I’d love some input.
Maybe “flexible” is the wrong term. Here’s more of an explanation: The other loom on the pack (connecting the lower crank generator to the upper synchronous generator, north of the Clippard) maintains it’s shape once connected. It’s a tight loop out and over. While you’re walking around or even running, it doesn’t really move all that much. It’s flexible so as to be able to make that connection, but the plastic material it is constructed out of is fairly rigid so it holds it’s shape. What I’m looking for is a type of hose that, if used in the connection, would droop naturally and flop around in any type of motion because it is made of a material that isn’t so rigid. Holding split loom vertically, if you don’t have a long length of loom it will just stand up or maybe slightly bend toward the ground. I want a hose that will curve 180 degrees sharply at almost any length given it’s construction. I think the wire-reinforced route is the way to go, like some dryer connections or vacuum hoses. Think about a slinky. Well, part of a slinky, before it gets straightened.
my old old Hoover vacume cleaner hose went on my first pack. It is exactly what you are looking for. A vacume cleaner store may have to hose you are looking for. It is the right size, flexibility, and look. It was an old upright vacume. Sorry i can’t be more help than that
At least this confirms what I suspected. I didn’t know if there was a properly sized hose that came with a vacuum cleaner, but now I’ll look further into that. Thanks.
Newer split/splitless loom tends to be more flexible than older stock loom. I’ve used older stock splitless loom that seems exactly what you are going for as far being flexible but still maintaining more rigid loops/bends; however,. the down side is that it tended to crack/break at the edge of the wand handle over time. Newer is better as far as function goes.
I don’t necessarily want a slit. I’m more concerned with the bend and lay of it. The vinyl host is really what I think is going to do the trick, it’s just a matter of finding the right size, color and performance.
I will be coming up against the same issue soon here. The pack ‘kit’ I got from E-bay came with a length of dishwasher drain hose, which upon inspection is completely inadequate for my needs. Its far too rigid and the diameter is way too small. The first pack build I did (which looks more and more horrible the more I work on this one…lol) I used medical tubing, but found that the paint wouldn’t stick to it. I’m thinking vacuum cleaner hose would be the best bet, most of those are already the color I need so I would just need the correct diameter…which might prove difficult. If I find anything, I will post
I’m glad I’m not the only one looking for something more ideal than what we have. I’m currently looking at vacuum hoses for dust exhausts in shops as well as general “slinky hoses” for waste disposal in RV’s.
You might try adding some “weight” inside the loom. I’ve got 4 lines of Cat5 cable running from the pack to the thrower and it gives it heft and curves… but it isn’t floppy if that’s what you’re going for.
What I’m really trying to combat is the stiffness that the loom can have. When the gun is drawn, the loom can stick out almost horizontally between the gun and pack. It would also be nice to see it snake it’s way between the pack and upper ALICE frame onto the gun when it’s holstered so it’s not such a hazard and getting caught on things. You could put a lot of pressure on standard loom and force it into line, but I’d like a better solution.
I tried just that on a couple previous packs and it looks better but not totally what I’m wanting. For my last one, I used a Fluval aquarium tube. Great connectors to the gun and pack and an improvement, but still not there.
I found the perfect hose! Right color…perfect length…just the right amount of give without being totally rigid!!! Sadly..it was connected to a vacuum cleaner at Walmart…and it was all I could do to NOT disconnect that puppy and stick it down my pants leg! lol
Havent been back yet…but looking online it would appear to be just your standard version of the Dirt Devil. I have noticed that hoses have now been added to the GBFan Shop…so if I cant find what I need at Rona…I will probably just order from there.
