Home Sign Up!

Browse Community Submit

All Art Craft Food Games Green Home Kids Life Music Offbeat Outdoors Pets Photo Ride Science Tech
Rubens Tube Yule Log
by bofthem on December 12, 2007
Table of Contents

License: Attribution Non-commercial Share Alike (by-nc-sa) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

Intro: Rubens Tube Yule Log . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

step 1: Gather Materials . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

step 2: Understanding the Rubens Tube . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

step 3: Mark & Drill . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

step 4: Add brackets and clamp your log . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

step 5: PVC endcap . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

step 6: Epoxy end to end . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

step 7: Speaker goes adjacent {With Important Safety Note} . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

step 8: Void some warranties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

step 9: Now, add tubing to log, and ignite. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Related Instructables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

Advertisements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Comments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

http://www.instructables.com/id/Rubens-Tube-Yule-Log/
License: Attribution Non-commercial Share Alike (by-nc-sa)

Intro: Rubens Tube Yule Log

Maybe you've seen a Rubens tube, before? Well I'm sure you haven't seen one this festive. All it takes is some wood, some hardware you can pick up in any
neighborhood, and a few common tools.

I'd like to extend a special thank you to Oscar for all of his help and photography on this project.

http://www.instructables.com/id/Rubens-Tube-Yule-Log/
step 1: Gather Materials
You're going to need:

An aluminum tube around 2" in diameter (pvc will work, but you'll have to cover the top in foil tape, and check to make sure it doesn't overheat while on)
2 clamps for 2 1/4" chain link fence (these hold the fence to the upright poles)
A log of some description
Screws
2-3" PVC end cap
Masking tape
A ruler or measuring tape
2 part epoxy putty
A sheet of latex, rubber, or plastic that can withstand some high temps (test it in the oven on its lowest setting, if you notice strange things or bad smells after ten
minutes, you need another material)
Zip ties
"L" brackets
A butane tank
A butane tank regulator
>3 ft of 3/8" polyurethane tubing
3/8" barb adapter
A stick lighter
A small speaker
Duct tape
A drill
1/16" Drill Bit
A step drill
A punch

http://www.instructables.com/id/Rubens-Tube-Yule-Log/
 Image Notes
1. This is called a hand punch or a center punch. It's an incredibly useful tool if
you use a drill more than once a month.
2. Chain link fence clamps.
3. Barb adapter. Barb for flexible tubing on one end, flare threads on the other.

Image Notes
1. This punch puts a little dent in material. This is incredibly useful for drilling
holes accurately in hard materials like metal.

Image Notes
1. 2 part epoxy putty. Pick it up at Home Depot.

http://www.instructables.com/id/Rubens-Tube-Yule-Log/
step 2: Understanding the Rubens Tube
The Rubens Tube is a time honored physics demonstration, seen across this great land since at least last Tuesday. In essence it demonstrates how sound waves
bouncing around in a tube create high and low pressure zones which affect the flow of gas through it.

For some really well researched and detailed descriptions you can visit:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rubens_tube
http://www.instructables.com/id/Wiimote-Rubens-Tube%3a-Control-Fire-With-Sound!-And/?ALLSTEPS
http://www.instructables.com/id/The-Rubens_-Tube%3a-Soundwaves-in-Fire!/?ALLSTEPS

But for now, we're going to focus on constructing this festive widget.

step 3: Mark & Drill

You'll need to get 1/16" holes in the top of your tube spaced 1/2" apart. I left about three inches of room between the holes and the end of the tube so that the
components on either end wouldn't heat up.

Tape your tube down to a flat surface, and put a strip of masking tape across the top. Mark spots for holes along the tape 1/2" apart. Take your punch, and put a little
divot in the center of each mark. Carefully drill each hole, placing the 1/16" drill bit square into the divot.

http://www.instructables.com/id/Rubens-Tube-Yule-Log/
step 4: Add brackets and clamp your log
Take your Yule Log in hand and admire it. Imagine it with fire shooting out every which way. You'll want to put the Rubens tube on in a way which will be both convenient
and pleasing. Just slip the chain link fence clamps over the tube and use wood screws to attach the assembly to the log.

Also, put an "L" bracket on the side of the log to accommodate the speaker.

http://www.instructables.com/id/Rubens-Tube-Yule-Log/
 Image Notes
1. Wood screws with washers. The heads of the screws slipped through the holes
in my clamps.

http://www.instructables.com/id/Rubens-Tube-Yule-Log/
step 5: PVC endcap
You need a hole in your PVC end cap to facilitate your barb adapter. I clamped the endcap, marked the center, and hit it with the punch. After taking out most of the
material in the hole with a regular twist drill (be careful, PVC has a nasty habit of grabbing hold of drills and being mean to them) I enlarged the hole to nearly the size of
my fitting with a step drill. Your fitting may vary, so check your measurements, but mine was 9/16" across. After your hole is the right size, you can simply screw your
fitting into the hole with a wrench.

step 6: Epoxy end to end

Moosh a gumball sized blob of epoxy putty over and over until the color smooths out. After everything's homogenized, roll it into a snake, and lay it in the inner corner of
your PVC endcap. If you've played your cards right, it should fit all the way around, and pressing it onto the end of the tube will create a nice, even seal. If you didn't play
your cards right, like me, you'll have to seal things again with a bead of silicone caulk around the lip of the endcap.

http://www.instructables.com/id/Rubens-Tube-Yule-Log/
step 7: Speaker goes adjacent {With Important Safety Note}
I initially made the mistake of taping the speaker directly on to the other end of the pipe. Do Not Do!

I replaced this fairly poor concept with a latex membrane I found (rubber, plastic, or another flexy material will probably do well.) I just popped on the end right before the
speaker with some zip ties. The speaker is just duct taped to the "L" bracket.

Image Notes
1. DO NOT WANT!

http://www.instructables.com/id/Rubens-Tube-Yule-Log/
step 8: Void some warranties
Clamp down your gas regulator and drill out its outlet aperture with a drill bit. It doesn't have to be all kinds of huge, just wide enough to allow for a lot of gas flow. About
1/16" should do. Attach this to the gas bottle, and in turn to your tubing.

step 9: Now, add tubing to log, and ignite.

YOU ARE NOW PLAYING WITH FIRE. I DON'T RECOMMEND ANYONE ACTUALLY TRYING THIS FOR THE SAKE THAT YOU COULD 'SPLODE AT ANY TIME.
IF YOU DO CONSTRUCT ONE OF THESE DEVICES, BE EXTREMELY CAUTIOUS WHERE YOU SET IT UP, HOW YOU USE IT, AND BE EXTREMELY MINDFUL
OF YOUR SURROUNDINGS. LIGHT IT WITH A STICK LIGHTER. HAVE A FIRE EXTINGUISHER HANDY.

It's time to plug in the speakers, pop the gas line into the tube, turn on the gas, and let 'er rip. I found that it worked best at high volume, with songs that had a few, strong
instruments, as opposed to more mixed orchestral music. I also found that the best results came from having just a small stream of gas moving through the tube. Feel
free to play around and tweak. Using a tone generator, like the one found in Audacity can be really fun.

Happy Making.

http://www.instructables.com/id/Rubens-Tube-Yule-Log/
Related Instructables

Wiimote Rubens
Tube: Control
Fire With
Sound! (And a
Nintendo Bûche de Noël
The Rubens' Worldwide Yule
Wiimote!) by (Yule Log) by
Tube: Log: Handmade fischertechnik How to Enter
Soundwaves in ScaryBunnyMan Yule Penguins pen_bow_arrow
Mobile App by the
Fire! by drillteamer by ftking_83702 Amazon.com ®
yourtvlies and
Instructables
Science Fair!
Over $3,000 in
Prizes! by
Contest Robot

http://www.instructables.com/id/Rubens-Tube-Yule-Log/
Advertisements
Comments
29 comments Add Comment

Kiteman says: Sep 12, 2010. 12:23 PM REPLY

Apparently, the videos have been deleted...?

kelsey-0190 says: Jan 19, 2009. 11:42 AM REPLY

can anyone help me on the ruben's tube thingy in doing this for science fair !!!!! plase anyone just write back if they can help

DannyboyINXS says: Jun 11, 2008. 3:58 AM REPLY

LOL! the wave bar in winamp FOR PIROMANIACS!

Steve1776 says: Dec 31, 2007. 8:34 PM REPLY

Very nice. Why not go down to the hardware store and get some metal gas pipe that is used to bring the gas into the house? It would be harder to drill
(probably need a drill press) but it would not melt. It would be smaller, maybe drilling larger holes would correct for the size. Use copper tubing from the tank
to the tube. Use ceramic logs. That should be safe.

bofthem says: Jan 1, 2008. 10:03 PM REPLY

I did use metal pipe for the tube. The small gas line pipe you can pick up from the hardware store is expensive, and too small to really resonate for the
main tube. I also wouldn't use it for getting the gas from the bottle into the Rubens tube, as it's difficult to work with and cant' be adjusted easily. For
safety, it'd just be easiest to get a flexible gas line meant for an outdoor grill, and get fittings to adapt it for a small gas bottle. I found ceramic logs at
Home Depot at $120 a set. I just wasn't willing to pay that price for the added safety. If I had infinite time to play with this project, I probably would have
sculpted a log out of clay, and let it harden. It could be custom shaped to the tube and be flame resistant. I'm not saying your suggestions aren't well
taken, and they are great. I just was willing to sacrifice safety for ease of construction and price.

Astinsan says: Dec 21, 2007. 8:12 AM REPLY

Neat idea but I wanted to add some safety information for the people that may not think about it. I think that the tubing and propane tank may not be a good
idea. Vinyl tubing can be a static magnet. I also don't think you should use this setup in a house. A leak of propane will hug the ground. You could be
unintentionally filling the house with propane and not know till its to late. Natural gas is lighter which is why you smell leaks of it when they happen (they add
the smell though). Using a cheap 30oz propane tank is also a bad idea. Newer LP tanks have fall over shut off valves. This will prevent liquid propane from
flowing out. Liquid propane on vinyl tubing will most likely cause a leak. Liquid propane can and most likely will burn your skin. How to fix the issues.. I was
thinking that using compressed air to blow on another ignited item. Should work for gas fireplaces and wood. Have a good Christmas. Astinsan

WingDings says: Dec 21, 2007. 4:02 AM REPLY

Yay! Good call on the Conchords tune!

tradergordo says: Dec 18, 2007. 6:43 AM REPLY

You should not surround this with combustibles (like real wood logs!!) or you are just asking for trouble.

bofthem says: Dec 18, 2007. 9:40 AM REPLY

Yeah, it'd be completely unsafe... if it weren't in a fireplace.

tradergordo says: Dec 18, 2007. 10:24 AM REPLY

Its not all that safe even in a fireplace because of the nearby gas, not to mention all the parts that aren't intended to burn but could if your
combustibles ignited. And then you have the people with natural gas or even electric fireplaces that might try this in there, in which case burning a log
could burn their house down.

bofthem says: Dec 18, 2007. 2:35 PM REPLY

I agree that there are dangerous elements presented here. I have recommended that people not replicate this project. I have also advised fire
safety, caution and extinguishers. There is a chance this device, like any combustible-fueled contraption, could cause some kind of cataclysm. I
thoroughly tested the propane setup, and found that it was not capable of producing a flame that reached outside of a 1' radius. Given this, I felt
that this setup, even if it experienced some kind of full spread, would not have the kind of combustive force to exceed the footprint of my fireplace,
and any average home fireplace. Additionally, this scenario only seems feasible if I lost my mind and left this burning unattended at some point. I
understand where you are coming from with the gas fireplace and electric fireplace concept, but have not specifically recommended them. They
are not safe places for an open flame from any source other than their own mechanisms. I cannot picture someone mistaking this project, thinking
it's meant for a gas or electric fireplace. It's meant to be put in a safe place for an open flame.

http://www.instructables.com/id/Rubens-Tube-Yule-Log/
 richelton says: Dec 20, 2007. 11:28 PM REPLY
I have recommended that people not replicate this project.'
You do know that discouraging admonishment is the fastest way to get DIY people to do something, right?

trebuchet03 says: Dec 21, 2007. 12:04 AM REPLY

It also reserves the "I told you so" rights of the discouraging party :)

el kabong says: Dec 17, 2007. 11:25 PM REPLY

This is a great idea. I'd really like to make this as a gift. Two questions, though: What do you use for a speaker? I have zero electronics ability/experience- is
there a real simple solution for a mono speaker powerful enough to move some air through this tube? Also, does the music sound good through the little
speaker and tube? I was thinking that if I figure out a speaker option I could use a headphone-splitter to send the sound out to the nice sounding stereo from
the mp3 player or laptop or whatever...

brad says: Dec 20, 2007. 10:13 PM REPLY

A good cheap source of an amplified speaker is a cheap set of computer speakers (that you plug into the wall, not "unpowered"). You can find them for
$15-20 at your local computer/electronics stores. With them unplugged, carefully pull them apart (you'll need screwdrivers). You'll find a circuit board
and, most likely, two wires running from that board to the center of the speaker. Take the whole setup and remove it and bingo! Cheap, bare, amplified
speaker.

bofthem says: Dec 18, 2007. 12:21 AM REPLY

I went with an amplified speaker (one you have to plug into a wall outlet.) It worked great, and the sound was fine, given there was another tweeter and a
woofer in the set. Nearly any speaker will do if you can give it enough volume, but this requires external power, so you could put it through an external
amp.

suggsugg says: Dec 20, 2007. 3:47 PM REPLY

sweet music, flight of the conchords rocks. "Brown paper white paper stick 'em together with the tape, the tape of love". I can't wait until the new season

dannydutton says: Dec 18, 2007. 2:58 PM REPLY

Too bad we have a gas fire place tha always has a pilot light on.

bofthem says: Dec 18, 2007. 3:17 PM REPLY

Yeah, I'd set this up somewhere safer. The driveway is always an option, if it doesn't have standing oil or anything on it. It's a bit less effective outside
because of draft. You could also consider a fire pit or chimnea.

Kiteman says: Dec 18, 2007. 10:48 AM REPLY

Nice - I've added it to the Christmas Competition group.

bofthem says: Dec 18, 2007. 11:35 AM REPLY

Thanks. I don't think I'll be seeing a victory from this one, mostly due to the fact that I'm an Instructables employee. I don't see what a little cronyism
could hurt.

Kiteman says: Dec 18, 2007. 11:54 AM REPLY

Ah, I forgot that rule. Still, it would have been worth entering if you just an ordinary punter.

Pyrowuzzup says: Dec 17, 2007. 10:22 PM REPLY

this is a great idea. correct me if im wrong but wouldnt a one way valve help avoid the occasional explosion? or is that fairly unlikely?

bofthem says: Dec 17, 2007. 11:10 PM REPLY

It'd be prudent. The only chance of 'splosion would come in if air somehow invaded the tube. The flames rising from the tube pretty much eat all the
available oxygen, and prevent any kind of combustion within the tube, and especially the gas line. Something would have to happen to cause air to back
into the line and ignite. The chances are really far out, but it's worth considering.

joejoerowley says: Dec 17, 2007. 4:25 PM REPLY

Great instructable! Love it! I had the same idea but was to lazy to give it a try. I was thinking it would be awesome for an outdoor fire pit.

http://www.instructables.com/id/Rubens-Tube-Yule-Log/
 Doctor What says: Dec 17, 2007. 6:42 PM REPLY
OOOOHHHH! Good idea. You would need a round tube though.

bofthem says: Dec 17, 2007. 6:50 PM REPLY

the wave effect probably wouldn't be as pronounced, though. The straight tube provides an ideal environment for sound waves to stack up on one
another, there'd probably be a good bit of interference in something with some curve to it. It's worth a shot.

GorillazMiko says: Dec 17, 2007. 5:08 PM REPLY

very nice! my fireplace looks like yours, except for the electric wires and stuff. cool pictures!

nanor11395 says: Dec 17, 2007. 4:17 PM REPLY

good job

http://www.instructables.com/id/Rubens-Tube-Yule-Log/