: I thought about those fill valves, but I'm really hoping that I can find the
: "real ones" because they ought to be cheaper than $5 apiece. The
: Thermarest replacement valves, also, are designed to be glued into the
: fabric, and I'm hoping to find one that mounts on/in the end of the fill
: tube.

: Maybe I'll just use those ratcheting "tube crimpers" available at
: lab supply houses.

: Shawn

I didn't quite think that they were the ones, but when I saw the date and the similar topic I hadta laugh it up.

Barring availability(expense) of offshelf valves, I like Paul's idea of just using tubes. If for example you were making a rectangular 10in x 20in bag out of one pc of 20in by 20in material(just for explaining), fold the fabric in half to get a double layer 10x20 and get say 40in of tubing with inside end cut at a long (say 1:4) angle. Insert say 10in of tube on the inside of the fold and glue all around and make the float seam inside of the tube location. Leave a gap in the seaming at the angle cut and then continue on and around.

For the valve, one of 2 ways. 4in back from the free end make a gentle angle cut thru to 1/2 the diam of the tube and then longitudinally to the end. Soften that far end w/ the solvent and form into a 'plug'. Or pvc glue one around. THen blow up and plug.

Or do the same thing to the end but say 1in from the end. Make a longitudinal slit in the last 1in say 3/4in long. Blow up float and fold tube end back on itself and poke thru the slot.

In one yak, I have one of a split pr of bags that has lost its valve, the end just folded back w/ a tiny pc of tape to keep in place. Fairly recently no problem thru several hrs of in water rescue practice(no bulkheads so lots of water motion, so don't copy the tape but the fold over is probably ok.

Another idea might be one of those rubbery elec drill chuck key holders to fold the end back in on.

Or if you can get to the bag easily(say one of the rear ones in a ww yak), glue some webbing on and fold tube under to crimp.

Or something like a keyhole crimp, made out of plastic or epoxy. Or say one of those crimp pins that goes on the end of axles - large enough to friction fit and then jam when you move it over. Or you know those funny crimps that come with new shirts?

I guess its sim to one of those sailboat jam clips, maybe could thread one of those on and then pull tight.

I keep thinking about those plastic barrel locks. Gotta be a way.

-mick