Hypodermic Needles - Acquiring them!

silverwindblade · May 03, 2014, 01:49:03 PM

I've heard of people using these in their modelling projects, mainly as pitot tubes and probes, or as gun barrels.
It sounds like a good idea to me, but I was wondering where people acquire them from, and for how much?!
I live in the UK as well, fyi!

PR19_Kit · May 03, 2014, 05:13:46 PM

I've used them as pitot tubes in the old days, and I'm pretty sure I just went and bought them from a chemist. Nowadays I bet you can get them on-line too.

Cobra · May 03, 2014, 05:54:12 PM

you might be able to find them from Micro Mark. you can also check with maybe a tool or Hobby Shop too. Hope this helps. Dan

zenrat · May 03, 2014, 07:14:02 PM

Not really something you want to get hold of second hand...

rickshaw · May 03, 2014, 08:36:59 PM

I'm sure chemists would carry them in the UK. They do downunder and they don't even bat an eyelid when you ask for them either. I used to go through quite a few when my eldest was young and on Growth Hormone.

perttime · May 04, 2014, 12:32:00 AM

Yep it seems to be a pretty regional/national thing. When I needed a needle for applying glue in a tricky spot, a Finnish chemists/pharmacy sold one to me, no problem. They showed me a range of different ones, so I could pick a good size.

Hobbes · May 04, 2014, 12:48:03 AM

Instead of hypo needles, I've been using custom tubing from Albion Alloys. Sizes down to 0.3 mm, and made to fit each other (so you can do oleos etc with one tube inside another).

rickshaw · May 04, 2014, 03:24:29 AM

Quote from: Hobbes on May 04, 2014, 12:48:03 AM
Instead of hypo needles, I've been using custom tubing from Albion Alloys. Sizes down to 0.3 mm, and made to fit each other (so you can do oleos etc with one tube inside another).

Yeah, I've been using those tubes for some time now. They really are wonderful for so many things.

zenrat · May 04, 2014, 03:53:33 AM

The ironic thing is that as we wish to use needles for legitimate purposes we have to pay for them.
If we were using them to stick heroin into our arms we could get them for free from one of the many charitable setups designed to stop us sharing our diseases.

Buying rod and tube from a model and hobby engineering supplier is probably cheaper than buying packs of needles from a chemist (I say probably as i've never bought needles so don't know what they cost).
My local hobby shop sells suitable sized tube and rod by the foot and there are online suppliers I have also used but seeing as you are in the UK postage will be a bit steep and so google is your friend.

NARSES2 · May 04, 2014, 08:14:33 AM

Quote from: rickshaw on May 04, 2014, 03:24:29 AM
Quote from: Hobbes on May 04, 2014, 12:48:03 AM
Instead of hypo needles, I've been using custom tubing from Albion Alloys. Sizes down to 0.3 mm, and made to fit each other (so you can do oleos etc with one tube inside another).

Yeah, I've been using those tubes for some time now. They really are wonderful for so many things.

Agreed, it's wonderfull stuff. http://www.albionalloys.co.uk/metal-for-model-makers

I've never used hypodermics myself and must admit wasn't sure of the situation in the UK when it came to obtaining them but as usual like most things EBay is your friend http://www.ebay.co.uk/bhp/hypodermic-needle although some medical supply sites may be cheaper but probably want to deal in bigger volumes http://www.medisupplies.co.uk/category.php?Catid=7620&gclid=CI-iwcbGkr4CFc6WtAodngMALg

Hope that helps ?

Chris