Gidday Robbo
My supply of the little plastic caps to stop rain from running down the pole spigot into the annex area has dwindled, probably due to the fact I figured you could pick up a bag of 20 for something like $5.
Not so
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/RAIN-COWL-POLE-TOP-TENT-AWNING-CAMPING-ACCESSORIES-/370604005523?pt=UK_Campervan_Caravan_Accessories&hash=item5649b85893
Are there other options? I spied the rubber ones but they are even dearer.
I might buy myself a hole punch and set to an old rubber tyre...
Some of these simple things seem to cost ridiculous amounts of money!
I have found many things that can be made out of ice cream container lids. The dimpled plastic coated ones are the best (e.g. Bulla, but others as well). This stuff is incredibly tough. I made a set of slip rings for the Kreepy Krauly in our pool when the OEM ones became unavailable. So far they have lasted twice as long as the OEM ones ever did, with no signs of wear or breakage.
I made a cover for the tool box lock on my trailer, cos I got sick of the water pooling in it. A photo:
I hear you asking: "How did he hinge it like that?" I didn't really, I just made that bit up ...
.
What I did do was mark a line on it where I wanted it to hinge, then belted the crap out of it with a sledge hammer using a piece of 5x4" RSC I use as an anvil.
So far, it's lasted more than 5 months with no sign of deterioration of the "bent" part. And it works a treat.
BTW, don't bother trying to use the tub part. The plastic it's made of is as weak as ... and fragile to boot.
I find all sorts of uses for this sort of material. I use it so that the dimpled plastic label side faces the wearing side (if there is one). This stuff seems to be nigh on indestructible!
Accurate cuts are best made using a pair of aviation metal working snips (did I mention that this stuff is tough ...
). Too dead in the head ATM and can't remember what they are called. A punch from a 10 or 12.5 mm grommet kit is the way to go for the punch. You might have to sharpen it up a bit though.
Hope this is of some help.