POLYPRO NEWS, GEEKERY, MORE NEWS & 50%-OFF DEAL

 There are two kinds of Polypropylene tubing (at least). These main 2 kinds are "homopolymer" and then random "co-polymers".

McMaster has homopolymer. it is more rigid. We use homopolymer PP at Synergy. U.S. plastics, Hudson and bunch of other vendors sell co-polymer and its way less rigid.

We are having a batch of mixed 50/50 homopolyer w/ co-polymer made to get a tubing that is still stiff & rigid but less prone to cracking (which homopolymer has been known to do on occasion, especially in colder climates). We will also be getting all kinds of colored polypro tubing varieties at Synergy so keep an eye out to our facebook page where we'll probably make the first announcements about anything.

Also keep an eye out for the new mind-blowing Removable-Spine firehoop design coming out in a matter of weeks. ...and another thing... for anyone who is considering getting some polypro hoops or tubing, its WORTH the little bit of extra cash to get your hoops made by Synergy. The craftsmanship is unparallelled, ditto for the sanding styles, and the push-button disconnect is badass, especially when you've got twins (they can be connected together & coiled down to 3 loops making it way-easier to travel with). Sorry for ranting, but that also reminds me that we do not use polypro or PE as connectors in any of our hoops because I do not believe they are rigid enough to stand up in the long-haul. A little heat here, a little hooping there, and your hoop becomes an egg (or tear-drop shaped). This hasn't been everyone's reality across the board, but I've seen it enough to know that its better to just roll with a regular 1/2" connector for black PE tubing (which actually has an ID of 5/8", not 1/2" as printed on the tubing). You may want to nip-the-tips of those plastic connectors; just cut a couple barbs off each end, depending on the size of the hoop (generally good for ~35" OD & smaller). OR...if you get your hoops from Synergy, they come with aluminum "dis"-connectors already installed. And of course, you can always get push-button aluminum connectors by themselves for your 5/8" ID tubing from Synergy Firehoops. in fact, sha-zzamm, I just cut all our prices in HALF for aluminum connectors at synergyfirehoops.com for a limited time, so get em while they're hot :) CHEERS!

~scott

p.s. while I'm at it, I just have to make a plug for the Zferral system we've got up & running at Synergy. It doesn't get any easier to earn 5% on all referrals you provide through clickable links from your website, blog, emails, etc. its free. what are you waiting for?