I went to my Re-Store Habitat for Humanity in Pittsfield, Mass., on Saturday to poke around. This Re-Store is, hands-down, my favorite place in the world to shop. There were lots of treasures, which for the most part I could admire and pass by, but then, at the very end of my meander, perched in the scrap wood section: What are theeeeeese shiny things?
Shiny, golden, textured plastic(y) tubes! I know they are some kind of man-made material, but what matters is that they remind me of bamboo. There’s no price marked, but I know they won’t be much, so I pick up three, thinking I’ll make some sort of artsy fartsy glamorous palm tree out of them for my Mahalo Lounge.
I carry the three tubes up to the front desk and ask, “How much?” The attendant looks and says, “$1 each.” “Okay,” I say. I change my speed from ‘meander’ to ‘hustle’ and hustle back to get the rest o’ those tubes. I am ready to fight for them as in, “Oh, I just took the first three up to the desk because that is all I could carry at one time. I was going to get them all.” There is no competition (it’s a gorgeous Saturday afternoon outside, so it’s slow at the Re-Store) but even so, I carry (drag) the remaining 11 to the desk all at once.
I don’t know what they are — what they were originally used for — but I know they are “something” — I know they are very cool — and I know that with so many, I can do something epic with them.
And, at $1 each, not only can I afford to buy them all, but I also know that if I don’t I will regret it.
$3,276 worth of tubes!
So, yes, I am now the proud owner of 14 fiberglass tubes. Each tube is 2″ wide.
But: What are they?
There are a variety of “fiberglass tubes” online that look similar, and after a few minutes of playing with Google I find near-identical looking examples on this site that sells “fiberglass wet exhaust tube connectors” used in the marine (boating) industry. These must be what I have.
How much is my find worth? I find the tube connectors available for sale retail on this site. My 72″ long, 2″ wide tubes are worth $234 each, I calculate. That’s $3,276 for 14! I am rich!
Alas, I am not keen on selling things like this online: Perhaps they are seconds or rejects. I will keep them and upcycle them into something neat-o for my Lounge. Aren’t they pretty!
Robin says
I am curious, what did you ever do with these killer tubes?
Phyllis says
I’m very late to this party but I do work for a marine propulsion manufacturer and can safely say that everything made for marine environments is made to a very very high standard, hence the original high price. I suspect these are used in the exhaust of a waterjet propulsion system.
Phillip Dudas says
So cool. I used to live in Westfield, MA before moving to Portland, Ore a couple years ago. Pittsfield has a lot of cool architecture in concrete. I heard there was an architect with a large influence on concrete due to the concrete supplier there.
Pam Kueber says
Ah! I will have to ask folks about the architect. Unistress is the big concrete supplier here…
Phillip Dudas says
Yeah pretty neat. There is a cool building on Merrill Road next to the Napa auto parts. I also worked one day a week at the TD Bank office downtown and the TD Bank in Adams that closed. I think they were all designed by the same place.
Phillip Dudas says
The Adams location had a neat concrete drive up teller with a cutout so the person in the next lane over could see the cars coming too.
Pam Kueber says
Yes, agreed about that still-empty atomic office building next to the auto parts (formerly the goodwill).
adrian says
These would make interesting light fixtures are they somewhat transparent?
Magnarama says
Wall fountain! Like the one in the Jungle Room at Graceland!
Neil says
I just KNOW your lounge needs a Tiki Hut Beach Bar!
These are plenty of poles to fashion a fabulous half-square hut – support poles and roof poles; maybe even outline your bar – all of which you’ll then thatch with some realistic, charming, faux fronds and woven grass-cloth.
As you’re constructing your inviting hut you’ll run tiny fairy-light strands through the tubes; when you switch on the lights your heart will melt with the glowing, golden invitation to smooth your mumu, pour your relaxing island beverage, and sink into the embracing surf .
When your guests enter they’ll be transported to the most magical of South-Seas luaus and fall under the lingering spell of Liliuokalani herself, enchanted by the shimmering, swaying, island bar that says, ” Aloha”.
Neil