Replies to This Discussion

StudentPermalink Reply by Tilly Whirls on December 20, 2011 at 9:29pm

Well, 3/4" 160psi tubing (100 ft) is about $32 at Lowes. The connectors are a few dollars. I think a bag of 10 is $3-$5. If you can order just a couple rolls of gaffers tape ($5-ish each on GoodBuyGuys.com) you can definitely make 10 hoops for less than $100. They don't need to be fancy. Just a line or two of gaff (or even just colorful electrical or duct tape) is enough to make them fantastic hoops for sharing. 

• ▶ Reply

StudentPermalink Reply by Tilly Whirls on December 20, 2011 at 9:30pm

Oh—the tubing and couplers/connectors will be in the pluming aisle. 

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Holly Roberts on December 20, 2011 at 10:55pm

You can get HDPE at Lowe's or Home Depot. I used a 10-foot pre-cut piece from Lowe's. it was just under $4, and the connector was a couple dollars. I didn't even have to cut it. The 10 ft made a good size, not too big, not too small. Not paying shipping costs really cuts down on the cost.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by sandra boutin on December 21, 2011 at 3:31am

Hello Katie!  It is great that you want to share the hoop love!  I use the 160 psi tubing at Lowe's too and a tool to cut tubing is only around $10.  I usually get 10 out of a 100 foot roll of 3/4" diameter.  What area are you in?  Good luck!

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Denise Cervola on December 21, 2011 at 6:32am

The 160 psi is the best for beginners and you can use the electrical tape and hockey tape for grip, you can get all that stuff locally. You can also use the duct tape, but it is a little harder to use.

• ▶ Reply

StudentPermalink Reply by Kim Cuppett on December 22, 2011 at 4:54am

When I first started making hoops, I was instructed to use 160psi tubing.  And I did. The hoops I made were too heavy for people.  It hurt when they hula hooped, and it easily left bruises.  The next time I bought tubing, I bought 100psi, and I've been using it ever since.  In fact, I still have the hoops I made out of 160psi tubing; when given a choice between the 160psi and the 100psi hoops, people always chose the 100psi.  Then, if someone is a real beginner, I just make the diameter bigger.

Also, as everyone else has said, you should be able to find the tubing at a hardware store like Lowes, Home Depot, Tractor Supply, etc.  (In Lowes and Home Depot, the tubing and connectors should be in the plumbing section, like Tilly said).  It's about $25 for a 100 foot roll for the 100psi tubing(it's cheaper than the 160 psi), and it's like 38 cents per connector, or you can also buy connectors in bags of 10 or so as Tilly pointed out. Overall, though, this is a lot cheaper than going through a hoop-supply website because the shipping on tubing is expensive.  You'll also need pipe cutters or a saw to to cut the tubing.  And then you'll need one of the following to tape your hoop: gaffer's tape; electrical tape; hockey tape; duct tape (but not recommended because it gets very wrinkly when you tape your hoop; it can also can melt and get sticky in warm weather).  

• ▶ Reply