Take some bluetack with you

gp3 trainee · Apr 7th, 2008, 01:21

Single best, non-obvious piece of packing advice I got from IndiaMike was to take a small lump of bluetack.

In several of the hotels we stayed in, the electric sockets were so worn that my phone charger wouldn't stay in. Thanks to IM I could wedge it in place with the bluetack.

Oh, and half a roll of duct tape/gaffer tape. Great for all sorts of quick fixes.

Thanks, guys.

Nick-H · Apr 7th, 2008, 01:45

You mean anybody ever travels without blutack?

And its not so much that the sockets are worn (though many may well be) as that the continental 2-pin plug default on many electrical devices (here too!) doesn't actually match the socket properly!

But thanks for the hint: I hadn't thought of blutack for that!

federica · Apr 7th, 2008, 02:01

What is bluetack?

Ignite · Apr 7th, 2008, 02:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by federica

What is bluetack?

good question, I dont know either. Nick, you want to enlighten us?

Nick-H · Apr 7th, 2008, 02:07

Quote:

What is bluetack?

...Asked the student.

The master replied...

But seriously, it is sold under that name in UK, and it is blue. I think I have seen it here in India too, but there are other names (and colours) for this solid sticky stuff which is most often used for putting posters on the wall.

One of its lesser-known uses is removing hardened remains of itself from walls...

It also does a very good job of holding a small screw on the end of a screwdriver when the screw has to be inserted in a hole the fingers cannot reach.

For practice only (the sound is not so good) it can also be applied to the left side of a mridangam to give the base sound of that drum face. The usual, a paste of semolina, has to be removed after each session.

federica · Apr 7th, 2008, 02:13

Is it a brand name of a tape? According to your description it isn't... still have no idea... I'll ask google...

camelgirl · Apr 7th, 2008, 02:14

Please someone tell me what this magical stuff is called in the US....I can't think of what it might be but we must have it...

Sounds like some kind of putty that doesn't dry out. I'll try googling (my lifeline to everything)

brownboy66 · Apr 7th, 2008, 02:16

its an adhesive dough (sort of) - like silly putty. It comes it small sheets I guess and you tear away a piece, roll it into a little ball at it provides and adhesive between two surfaces. Its meant for light stuff (like posters on walls).

federica · Apr 7th, 2008, 02:19

You can check here: http://www.blutack.com/BLU_TACK.htm

sounds really cool... I think I haven't seen it in Germany yet, although it is available at least in online shops.

Nick-H · Apr 7th, 2008, 02:19

It is like a kneadable plastic. Not like putty or dough, although either word can be used in the description.

Yes, it comes in a small sheet, although I've seen a similar product sold in small rectangles.

Google will probably help, yes.

camelgirl · Apr 7th, 2008, 02:25

I think I found it here in the USA. Kind of pricey here.http://www.amazon.com/Bostik-Blu-Tac.../dp/B0006DPMSG

Think I'll check in some hardware stores in my area.

Great idea for travel.

Nick-H · Apr 7th, 2008, 02:27

I can't believe it is not available in Germany! Amazing!

Nick-H · Apr 7th, 2008, 02:29

A packet goes a very long way. A common mistake is to use great chunks of it when tiny pieces often work better.

brownboy66 · Apr 7th, 2008, 02:32

I would have though it was sold every where!

For any parents out there - if your kids have ever had play dough or silly putty - its like a cross between the two.

federica · Apr 7th, 2008, 02:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nick-H

I can't believe it is not available in Germany! Amazing!

I was amazed that it is older than I am

and still hasn't made it's way into our households, although it seems quite useful!

Funny side note: when I googled for it I got a link to an Austrian pharmacy... they sell it in their online shop

Apr 7th, 2008, 01:21	#1
gp3 trainee Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: south east UK Posts: 12	Take some bluetack with you Single best, non-obvious piece of packing advice I got from IndiaMike was to take a small lump of bluetack. In several of the hotels we stayed in, the electric sockets were so worn that my phone charger wouldn't stay in. Thanks to IM I could wedge it in place with the bluetack. Oh, and half a roll of duct tape/gaffer tape. Great for all sorts of quick fixes. Thanks, guys.

Apr 7th, 2008, 01:45	#2
Nick-H Loud-mouthed, Noisy Bird Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 22,909	You mean anybody ever travels without blutack? And its not so much that the sockets are worn (though many may well be) as that the continental 2-pin plug default on many electrical devices (here too!) doesn't actually match the socket properly! But thanks for the hint: I hadn't thought of blutack for that! __________________ . IndiaMike Mod Team (The Grumpy One)

Apr 7th, 2008, 02:14	#7
camelgirl 10 year Visa okee dokee Join Date: May 2005 Location: Swannanoa NC usa Posts: 837	Please someone tell me what this magical stuff is called in the US....I can't think of what it might be but we must have it... Sounds like some kind of putty that doesn't dry out. I'll try googling (my lifeline to everything) __________________ My selected India photos http://www.indiamike.com/photopost/s...r/7030/cat/500

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Apr 7th, 2008, 02:01	#3
federica Maha Guru Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Bavaria Posts: 544	What is bluetack?

Apr 7th, 2008, 02:13	#6
federica Maha Guru Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Bavaria Posts: 544	Is it a brand name of a tape? According to your description it isn't... still have no idea... I'll ask google...

Apr 7th, 2008, 02:16	#8
brownboy66 the riff raff.... Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: New Delhi Posts: 1,525	its an adhesive dough (sort of) - like silly putty. It comes it small sheets I guess and you tear away a piece, roll it into a little ball at it provides and adhesive between two surfaces. Its meant for light stuff (like posters on walls).

Apr 7th, 2008, 02:19	#9
federica Maha Guru Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Bavaria Posts: 544	You can check here: http://www.blutack.com/BLU_TACK.htm sounds really cool... I think I haven't seen it in Germany yet, although it is available at least in online shops.

Apr 7th, 2008, 02:25	#11
camelgirl 10 year Visa okee dokee Join Date: May 2005 Location: Swannanoa NC usa Posts: 837	I think I found it here in the USA. Kind of pricey here.http://www.amazon.com/Bostik-Blu-Tac.../dp/B0006DPMSG Think I'll check in some hardware stores in my area. Great idea for travel.

Apr 7th, 2008, 02:27	#12
Nick-H Loud-mouthed, Noisy Bird Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 22,909	I can't believe it is not available in Germany! Amazing!

Apr 7th, 2008, 02:29	#13
Nick-H Loud-mouthed, Noisy Bird Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 22,909	A packet goes a very long way. A common mistake is to use great chunks of it when tiny pieces often work better.

Apr 7th, 2008, 02:32	#14
brownboy66 the riff raff.... Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: New Delhi Posts: 1,525	I would have though it was sold every where! For any parents out there - if your kids have ever had play dough or silly putty - its like a cross between the two.

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