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Welcome to the Vital Parts Guide to Installing Tube Inserts

Welcome to our comprehensive guide to our Tube Inserts. This is your number one source of information regarding measurements, uses, variations, and sizing, all found on one page. This guide should help to educate you on some of the most common uses for these components, aptly named Tube Inserts. This includes when to use them, how to measure them and lastly how to install them, ensuring you make the correct decision first time.
Tube Inserts, Tube Fittings, and Tube End Caps are a hugely popular product inside many industries. They regularly feature as a finishing items within consumer products such as camera tripods as well as for function, such as to add a thread to a tube during metal fabrication.

WHEN TO USE TUBE INSERTS:

01

TO FINISH OFF A TUBE OR PIPE:

A widely popular use for these Inserts is for finishing off a tube, pipe, post or box section. Tube Inserts offer a sleek, discrete finish and are a simple to fit product, making these are a go to part for most finishing uses, requiring just a tap with a hammer for a secure installation.

02

FOR USE AS FEET WITH TUBULAR CHAIR OR FURNITURE LEGS:

Another hugely popular use for these products is for use as Chair or Furniture Feet, to fit internally within the leg. Such a use offers many benefits for old or worn furniture, including added grip, reduced damage to floors and of course a neat finish. Use as Chair or Furniture Feet is most frequently seen with School Chairs and Exam Desks, which have a tubular design for internal fitting.

03

TO PROTECT THE INTERNAL SECTION FROM INGRESS:

Protecting the internal section of a tube, pipe, or post against ingress is an often overlooked benefit that these inserts can provide. They are able to seal an internal section from ingress from moisture and dirt, which can help prolong the life of your application. It's for this reason that Tube Inserts are an extremely popular for use with outdoor posts and metal tubing to protect against rust and reduce maintenance costs.

04

TO ADD A FUNCTION OR THREAD WHEN FLOW DRILLING:

Adding a function to a tube is another hugely common use for our inserts. We offer many different variations specifically for this, such as Threaded Tube Inserts and Spring Threaded Inserts which allow you to add a thread to an otherwise plain hole. A thread can allow for the attachment of externally threaded components such as our range of Adjustable Feet, or for simply joining two tubes.

WHY USE TUBE INSERTS:

There are many different reasons as to why you may choose to use Tube Inserts over other solutions available, from ease of use to the quality of finish they provide. Below, we have listed some of the main reasons to use them.

EASY TO FIT:
In comparison to most other solutions, these are an extremely easy to fit product. Simply line them up with the tube before tapping into position. Each insert comes with flexible ribs to provide a secure fitting, and to prevent the need for additional fixings or adhesives for a permanent installation.
COST EFFECTIVE:
As a whole, these inserts are a relatively cost effective part that are bulk manufactured for availability in a huge number of sizes. These are a very popular choice for use over potentially expensive solutions, such as our Rubber Stoppers.
HUGE RANGE OF SIZES AND STYLES:
Due to the huge amount of uses that Tube Inserts are employed for, we keep a massive number of sizes and styles in stock for you to choose from. This is to enable us to provide you with the best possible match, if you're not sure on your requirements, then feel free to speak to a member of our team who are always happy to help.

HOW TO MEASURE TUBE INSERTS:

When looking to measure Tube Inserts, it is essential to have a good idea of the exact measurements that are required for a secure fit and a reliable finish and function. Below, we have split up some of the key measurements that need to be taken to ensure the best fit, first time.

Graphic showing how to measure the outside diameter of a tube insert Outside Diameter (OD)

Finding the Outside Diameter of a tube is done by measuring the distance between the two outer lips of your application. The distance between the two lips will be your measurement for the Outside Diameter.

Graphic showing how to measure the Internal Diameter of a tube insert Internal Diameter (ID)

The next step to finding your measurement is to find the Internal Diameter of your tube. This is done in a similar way to the Outside Diameter, however the measurement is taken from the distance between the two inner lips rather than the outer.

Graphic showing how to measure the Wall Thickness Image of a tube insert Wall Thickness (WT)

Once have the two main measurements of your tube (ID & OD) you can start to work out the Wall Thickness range that you will require for a secure fitting. This measurement is found by using the following measurement: (OD - ID ÷ 2 = Wall Thickness)

Once you have all three of the required measurements, you can start to look for your required sizing. To do this you want to match up your tubes OD with the inserts OD listed on our product page, as this will help you to identify the best fit.

It is important to make sure that the measurement that you came up with for the Wall Thickness fits inside the range disclosed on the relevant product page. For example, if you have an insert with an OD of 30mm and a wall thickness of 1-3mm, then this will fit a tube that has an OD of 30mm and a wall thickness between 1-3mm.

Please note that in some cases, Tube Inserts are able to fit across a range of tube diameters thanks to their flexible ribs, which can flex when pushed inside.

*To Fit Tube Size is available on the majority of our standard Tube Inserts range, which means the above wall thickness calculation has been done for you. Simply match up your size to the given to fit tube sizing range where given within the product measurements.

HOW TO INSTALL TUBE INSERTS:

Installation as displayed in the image below, is a quick and simple process. Our inserts require just a tap by hand or hammer to provide a tight and secure fitting. Due to the ribbed nature of this product, these hold inside the tube without the need for fixings, fasteners or adhesives.

Graphic on how to install tube insert image

WHAT'S AVAILABLE IN OUR TUBE INSERTS RANGE?

Our range of Tube Inserts feature both standard and bespoke products for a number of uses. These vary from finishing off a tube to connecting two tubes together. To get a better understanding and to give an overview of what we have on offer, please see the different types summarised below.

Standard Tube Inserts

Standard Tube Inserts are one of the most cost effective fitting options that we provide. They come in all common shapes and sizes (such as Round, Square, Oval and Rectangular). Manufactured from durable materials such as LDPE Plastic and Nylon, these are to go-to product range for most generic uses.

Round Tube Inserts Image
Rectangular Threaded Tube Inserts Image

Threaded Tube Inserts

Threaded Tube Inserts are unique in the sense that they allow for the attachment of male threaded components to a tube (popular during flowdrilling or metal fabrication). They are available in a range of female metric thread sizes between M6 to M20 and a selection of shapes to suit differing tube styles.

Tube Connectors

Tube Connectors are a bespoke style of insert. They are manufactured specifically for the connection of tubular frames. Popular for use inside industries that deal with temporary stands and attractions, these offer the ability to connect a full metal frame.

Tube Connectors Image
Saddle Glides Image

Saddle

Saddle Feet are a lesser known form of chair foot. They are used specifically with tubular furniture to add grip and prevent the marking of flooring. As a simple to fit product, these simply clip around the tube to provide additional grip for both hard and soft flooring types.

Glides

Glides are essentially feet made to promote loss of grip, enabling quick and easy movement across hard and soft surfaces. They are often used inside consumer industries to increase comfort and reduce noise. Glides are an extremely popular choice.

Screw on felt glides image

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