Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Amanda on April 29, 2010 at 2:38pm

dude I was just trying to figure this same stuff out this morning!! (i don't know either!) goodluck!

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StudentPermalink Reply by circularlogic on April 29, 2010 at 2:40pm

The best info I've seen is from Rich:

http://isopop.com/2010/02/22/how-to-make-high-performance-white-pla...

Hope it helps!

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StudentPermalink Reply by Kristi Jetpack on April 29, 2010 at 3:24pm

i haven't tried the poly pro tubing yet, but i like the HDPE tubing A LOT! and you can use it to make a firehoop....i just did!!!!! ;-)

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StudentPermalink Reply by Kinetic Kristen* on April 29, 2010 at 10:41pm

I have hoops of both kinds and, up until the last two months or so, I used white HDPE. Now I'm a Polypro girl :) gah, I sound like a horrible infomercial.

Both can be used to make a firehoop. Both are used to make LED hoops as well. The pounds per square inch (psi) really does not matter for hoopers, it's just an easy way to identify the tubings. What we should look at is the outside diameter as that will affect how big or small it feels in our hands and the wall thickness as that affects the weight of the tubing.

White HDPE comes in the following hoopable sizes (based on my own research and use): 3/4" inner diameter (ID)/ 1" outer diameter (OD) w/ 195 psi [not as bad as it sounds, great for a meditation or groove hoop]; 3/4" ID/ 7/8" OD w/ 105 psi; and 5/8" ID / 3/4" OD w/ 123 psi. The first one has a wall thickness of 1/8" (contributes to the weight) and the other two have a wall thickness of 1/16".

Polypropylene comes in several sizes but I've only ever used one size & Rich discusses using the other (in the link circularlogic posted). I use Polypro 1/2" ID / 5/8" OD with a psi of 90 and the other one is Polypro 5/8" ID / 3/4" OD with 80 psi. Both have a wall thickness of 1/16".

Differences? HDPE is great for response to hard breaks, like pinch breaks, leg breaks/reversals and thwacking it across a bony body part. The downside is it will hurt like a mo-fo as it is simultaneously a bit bouncy & stiff but that's the beauty of using the HDPE. Polypro is much more springy and can take a bit of time adjusting the speed and springiness, especially if you've only ever used the black irrigation tubing before. Sometimes you will feel like a beginner again with certain moves, just trying to learn how to hit the perfect spot to make the Polypro respond the way you want. And my HDPE doubles (3/4" OD) feel heavier than my Polypro ones (5/8" OD) and part of that is polypro is simply a lighter material altogether.

If you want to try a different material, I say go for it!! :) Who knows, you may just find your new favorite hoop.

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StudentPermalink Reply by Aurora of Elemental Hoops on December 27, 2010 at 10:48pm

kris,im so confused on sizes and was wondering if you could explain it to me. for the polypro, what size is equivalent to what size in the ppe? for ex, is 1/2 ID? 5/8 OD polypro similar to the 3/4 or 1/2 ppe?

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StudentPermalink Reply by Kinetic Kristen* on December 29, 2010 at 8:22am

the 5/8 OD is skinny, so it may be similar to the half inch. I didn't use PPE for very long before switching to HDPE and polypro. I do know the weight difference is very big; polypro is very light and requires a lot of body & hoop awareness. Not to discourage! Just wanted to make you aware, polypro hoopsask for an equal partnership in the hoopdance, otherwise it will make you chase it everywhere. :) practice makes improvement, as SaFire says!

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Permalink Reply by Kelsey Taylor Nelson on January 7, 2011 at 9:43pm

Where do you get your 5/8 OD?

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Permalink Reply by Kelly-MountainHoops-Jewell-Timco on May 27, 2010 at 1:46pm

I just ordered the Polypro PPE pipe from McMasters Carr. It might get here tomorrow. I almost ordered HDPE but gonna go for the fast and springy.

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StudentPermalink Reply by Twizzy Twist on May 28, 2010 at 6:28am

McMasters Carr wouldn't sell to me :( First they said they don't ship to Canada. I was like ok! No problem, I have family in the states...then they told me that they are not accepting new customers?! I guess it's because I'm Canadian... BOOO! Any Canadians out there been able to get their hands on this stuff???

Thankyah!
Twizzy

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StudentPermalink Reply by spider baby on May 28, 2010 at 12:51pm

same problem for me...apparently our building code is different in canada so they don't ship their tubing here..as if we wanted it for building purposes.. BOO! indeed.. i wanted some of those button release connector things too but they do not ship anything to canada.

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Permalink Reply by Hendryx on June 2, 2010 at 6:35pm

Smallparts.com has polypro..it's where I get mine..

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Permalink Reply by chels on November 14, 2010 at 6:13pm

what do they call it on this site?

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