DIY Ear Buds for your Halo.... - Page 5

kenmorris · #41 02-25-2008, 05:07 PM

Sorry SCARD

Hows the 9 flyin?

There are a number of places in Austin. Here is an internet place.

http://www.electrodestore.com/Specia...41DE&S=14&T=54

Ken

pboyce · #42 02-25-2008, 05:45 PM

Ken,

For me it's not a question of the yellow plugs being cheap, it's that I could do so much better with a custom earplug.

My homemades are more comfortable, easier to insert, provide more noise attenuation.

Paul

scard · #43 02-25-2008, 07:59 PM

Thanks for the resources. I'm going to try everything. I started with the silicone tree things and flew with those for about 60hrs, then switched to the yellow foam, been flying those for about 40hrs. I have now run out of the standard yellow foam and have all the supplies (foam ear plug sampler pack and plenty of shrink tube) to make up some home-mades to try. I may fall in love with the home rolled ones as others have. If not, I'll be looking for quantity of something to buy.
The 9A is flying great. I can't wait for daylight savings to get back to flying longer in the evenings after work. I went my first full 25hr (oil change) interval without pulling the cowl, and found nothing to touch when I did. That is exciting for me.

scard · #44 05-11-2008, 09:48 AM

As I'm making my way through the big sample pack of ear plugs for use with my Halo, I have found that some of the softer, higher noise reduction plugs aren't so good for higher temps. It is 95* in Texas now. I was flying all around central Texas yesterday doing touch-n-goes at various places. It was hot and sticky. I was using some of the slightly softer high NR ear plugs from the sample pack and was having a real problem keeping them sealed in my ear. I think the foam was not firm enough in the hotter weather and sweaty ears. These same plugs were doing great in cooler weather.
I'm now making up some different samples that are slightly firmer. It may be that the classic yellow foam ear plugs are a good happy medium for broader circumstances.

LewDog · #45 05-20-2008, 03:51 PM

well, after a lot of skepticism I decided to listen to everyone's advice and positive reviews on here and placed the order for my Halo yesterday. I am really anxious to try them out once they arrive, but unfortunately I am still going through my private pilot lessons and my next lesson is ground so I'm just going to try and get that out of the way so as soon as they come in I can try them out by doing some zero-g maneuvers during my stall lesson

I'm also lookin forward to trying out this DIY once i wear out the provided plugs.

Thanks to everyone who helped me make the decision.

lsu-rv · #46 06-02-2008, 10:33 PM

anybody found anything better than heat shrink for the tubing?

BTW the leather punch works awsome

Capflyer · #47 03-25-2009, 07:42 AM

For those that have made your own, how are they holding up and are you happy with the performance. Also, what type of glue works well without dissolving the foam or tube?

Time here to either make some or buy some.

DGlaeser · #48 03-25-2009, 08:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Capflyer

For those that have made your own, how are they holding up and are you happy with the performance. Also, what type of glue works well without dissolving the foam or tube?

Time here to either make some or buy some.

My home made earplugs work great. I re-use the plastic tubes that came with the headset earplugs - just strip off the old earplug.
I'm using these: http://earplugstore.stores.yahoo.net/holemaxuffop.html and heat up a pop-rivet mandrel to poke the hole. Then I dip the tube in water and insert - no glue needed. I make up 3 or 4 sets so I have extras all the time. When an earplug gets too dirty, just pull out the tube and toss the foam plug. When I get low on replacements, use the tubes and make up more...

Ironflight · #49 03-25-2009, 04:09 PM

I made up a couple hundred spare sets, and put them in a zip-loc bag in the hangar office. Louise and I change ours every few weeks - they hold up fine, and I figure we're set for awhile!

Paul

lucky · #50 03-25-2009, 05:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DGlaeser

heat up a pop-rivet mandrel to poke the hole.

Good call on the heated mandrel. I just tried it and it works great because it also seems to kind of fuse the foam to the plastic tube if you insert the tube pretty quickly. I didn't need to use any water to help slide the tube in so maybe my mandrel is a different diameter.