Thermoforming End Caps

Cut a 4” piece of 1” diameter tube. Cut a slit down the length of the tube. Note: Making end caps is hard to do for pipes larger than 1” in diameter. It is better to purchase larger end caps, which are available at most hardware stores in Panama. Note: To complete the end cap, you will need the size tube you need an end cap for along with a 1' section of tube the next size up. For example, if you are creating a 1/2” end cap, you need a piece of 3/4” pipe to press the end cap piece onto the 1/2” tube.

Place the tube with the slit in the oil. You'll want to hold the piece with a pair of plyers so that the entire piece can be placed in the oil. Once the tube has opened up into a flat sheet, quickly remove the PVC and position next to tube which needs an end cap. With the larger tube press the flat PVC piece over the original tube Quench the end cap and tube that the end cap is connected to immediately. After a few seconds, remove both and pull the end cap off the tube. Place end cap back in water for at least 15 seconds. Clean with cloth.