Reservoir Straw & Plug Mod (RSP Mod)

[Applejackson]

Sadly... as has happened in the past, my poly plug started to caramelize and my liquid delivery trailed off. My consistent use of VG liquid may have something to do with this.

Being a hobby machinist... I have an ample supply of Scotchbrite pads on hand (we use them to polish aluminum and steel on the lathe). Went out and got one, cut it down to size, singed the edges and I now have it installed in a 901 cart.

Initial performance is quite, quite good.. and Kristin you just might be onto something here! I'll hold final judgment until after I get a couple of days use under my belt.

The scotchbrite pads used for metal polishing are "impregnated with aluminum oxide abrasive for fast cut" (From 3m site). I dunno how good they'd be to use. I think you want the non-abrasive ones like the OP said.

[kristin]

I didn't like the sponge - flooded the atty too much. Back to the non-scratch pad!

[Scottbee]

OK, right now I'm trying actual sponge. The blue non-scratch I had came attached to a soft sponge. So far, so good. What have some results been with using sponge material in the past - anyone know? What about loofa?

Are you talking the powder blue "delicate" scrubber sponge deal? I picked one up too. Tried to gently get the Scotch Brite portion off of the sponge, and it turns out that they use an elastomer adhesive that compromises the wicking capability of the material. Bummer.

[Scottbee]

The scotchbrite pads used for metal polishing are "impregnated with aluminum oxide abrasive for fast cut" (From 3m site). I dunno how good they'd be to use. I think you want the non-abrasive ones like the OP said.

Correct. I selected one of my 96 pads (green)... which I am pretty sure do not have any abrasive.

[Scottbee]

I thought the German-made ShamWow material may perhaps work well as the barrier membrane, but sadly.... one layer is too hard to work with and two layers create too much of a barrier for liquid wicking.

[Golfclub Mechanic]

Just tried this mod on a 901..I capped it with natural organic melton wool and it is wicking wonderfully..I got a swatch of this wool for 80 cents from nearseanaturals dot com..Great mod Kristin..!!

[Scottbee]

Let me add.... it is this mod that has actually allowed me to go back and truly and efficiently evaluate the condition of my older attys. Before it could always be that a cartridge was running dry.. or was flooding.. or.... or... etc. Now I just take the cartridge, put it on the atty and give it a try. If the atty doesn't come alive in half dozen draws... it's never going to.

I'm sadly saying goodbye to quite a few old attys tonight....

[Hellen A. Handbasket]

I'm using this straw method with a white scrubber pad from a Scunci hand held scrubber which is the same thing as the Scumbuster made by Black and Decker.

I looked on line, and Home Depot has the pads, but I'm sure you can find the similar material for less (They look exactly like the 3M Doodlebug scrubbers and exactly like the scrubbers that they sell in the Pet stores for cleaning acrylic fish tanks, they're white, and won't scratch the acrylic tank).

Here is a link to Black and Decker's product
BLACK & DECKER Replacement Pads for ScumBuster - SBP4 at The Home Depot

A few things to keep in mind when looking for these scrubber products to use. They are unwoven polyester, so there are binding adhesives in these scrubbers. Might be worth getting more information from the manufacturers, as they are not 100% polyester or Nylon. If they are blue, green, yellow, etc. there are dyes used. Might be good to stick with white.



This is awesome so far today...

[mELIANTE]

What about that stuff that people use to clean the kitchen used as a plug? They're pretty absorbent...
I'm talking about this, don't know their names in english, maybe multiuse cloth?

[kristin]

Finally got this mod in one of my whistle tips and it's AWESOME!

I was thinking shamwow, too, Scott. I once used that as filler, but it withheld too much liquid. I thought it may work as a plug.

I also have a scrubber with a handle. It has a very open weave and seems to be just some kind of plastic.