Ideas for retired fire hose please?

[Toddy]

Only if one discounts the sheer volume of water from a firehose. Swimming pool filling perhaps ?
It needs a lot of pressure to fill a firehose to make any reasonable watering possible. That's why garden hoses are narrow bore, so that they work from the tap pressure, not the mains.

 

[TLM]

Well not quite, if one uses the same size hose at the end the larger firehose actually offers much less flow resistance than any smaller dia hose. It really is the final nozzle dia that matters.

 

[Toddy]

There's enough water in a fire hose to flood my garden, I don't need that amount of water, I don't think I'm alone in that.
If the pressure isn't there then all you get is a dribble, until you end up with a pin ***** nozzle trying to get enough water to be practical.

Local allotments were given the retired firehoses from the local firestation. They find them useless even when punctured along their length to be used as seep watering.

Sod's law sometimes, and it seems that somethings are really only fit for their intended use.

 

[plastic-ninja]

So do I in my house, except no lead involved, but no pipes in the garden and it needs watering at times.

I was partly joking but also I live in a flat so my plant watering needs are pretty modest compared to a big bore hose like this.

 

[Toddy]

Guess who got caught out with the site's 'not acceptable language' asterixing ?

 

[Madriverrob]

Rope edge protection

Plus one , used to protect belay ropes on crag tops .....

 

[scruff]

Jeez, those handbags would be HEAVY!

Here's a few things I've whipped up in the past:

 

[Paul_B]

I bought a phone case made out of bicycle inner tubes. I think you could make some protection pockets, wallets, cases, etc. Glasses cases, bag for bowling balls / 10 pin balls, outdoor game equipment holders or bags.

I'm sure there's better ideas than mine around. A cotton thread that expands when wet to stick seams or could you heat seal them, perhaps with a heated knife?

 

[scruff]

You cannot melt firehose to seal it etc.
It's flame retardant and stinks when you do such.

I do flame over the threads, but you need to be doing this outside, it honks and is probably very bad for you.

I'd also note you'll likely need to clean the hose as for each project. It'll be covered in all sorts of film and grime, from fire fighting foam residue to sludge from the river etc.

 

[Madriverrob]

Jeez, those handbags would be HEAVY!

Here's a few things I've whipped up in the past:

View attachment 74796View attachment 74797View attachment 74798View attachment 74799View attachment 74800View attachment 74801View attachment 74802View attachment 74803View attachment 74804

Like the sandals

 

[Stew]

Jeez, those handbags would be HEAVY!

Here's a few things I've whipped up in the past:

View attachment 74796View attachment 74797View attachment 74798View attachment 74799View attachment 74800View attachment 74801View attachment 74802View attachment 74803View attachment 74804

How are the Huaraches in use? I’ve made some out of thin tyres before and they worked ok. Is the hose stiff enough?

 

[Grebby]

Pretty pricy too! I guess not that bad as they are indestructible.

I think it was a present from her sister. I certainly wouldn't want to be hit by it. It hurts enough if she leaves it in the hall and I stub my toe on it

 

[scruff]

How are the Huaraches in use? I’ve made some out of thin tyres before and they worked ok. Is the hose stiff enough?

Well, appart from being quite slippy (not for carpeted staircases) rather good. Nice, stiff enough. I used some shoe sole adhesive on the soles to give some tackiness.

 

[knowledge=gain]

cable protection

wall protector

mud flaps

re-sole footwear

blade protectors other than previously mentioned

table coasters

carpet protectors

use on sack tracks or trolleys for prevention of damage to boxes and-such

just a few off the top of my head

 

[Tantalus]

Remember those big old wood saws that needed a man at each end

And the smaller one man versions.

Firehose is the best thing ever for making a cover so nobody gets hurt or the saw getting damaged during transport.

Much easier to carry one saw to a remote job than a chainsaw, all the protective gear and fuel.

In the US they still use those old saws for clearing fallen trees and branches from paths in their gigantic national parks.

 

[Jared]

Two man cross cut saws.

I've used them in the past for the same reasons here in the UK.

 

[MrEd]

I have acquired three rolls of retired fire hose. Looks pretty old so I’m not sure it wouldn’t leak under pressure. Seems a shame not to repurpose it somehow as it is pretty much bomb proof & likely has centuries of life left in it!!
Any ideas? Would you like some? If so drop me a message but it’s too heavy to post so you’d need to be near the lakes.
Cheers, SimonView attachment 74727

I know it’s heavy but would you post a short length of it? Say 2 foot or so? I want to make some leatherman sheaths

 

[Imagedude]

Deathslide for a hamster.

 

[plastic-ninja]

All gone now.
Various locals are making use of them & I have the promise of a few bits as a result.
Thanks for the suggestions.
Simon

 

[Minotaur]

I'd also note you'll likely need to clean the hose as for each project. It'll be covered in all sorts of film and grime, from fire fighting foam residue to sludge from the river etc.

Yeah I was going to mention this as the water going through fire hoses is basically coming straight out of the sewer.