Balloon valves?

From: Tapio Linkosalo <tapio.linkosalo_at_iki.fi>
Date: Thu, 04 Mar 2010 06:15:23 +0200

I should get me a balloon for some steering practice, and wondered what
to use for the valve. It looks like the local shop does not have any
valves, they simply fill the balloon from the neck and use a big clamp
to shut it down. Ok for the first fill, but if I want to further inflate
the balloon from a small "party-pack" helium bottle, then a valve would
be neat. The shops sell some simple stuff, but they seem to be for
smaller balloons.

I was thinking that maybe some plastic cylindral thingy, with a groove
on the outside to tie the balloon down onto, and a hole for a length of
silicon tubing, would do. One could fill the balloon through the tubing,
then fold it over to seal it. Or would there be some other gadget
(related to pneumatics maybe) that would do the job?

The balloon shop seems to be happy to suggest using some sealant liquid
inside the balloon while filling. Is this any good; worth the extra cost
(not much) or extra weight (probably not much either)? Or would it just
prevent further use of the balloon?




-Tapio-
Received on Wed Mar 03 2010 - 20:16:15 CET