I did look into that possibility, but the information on inner tubes on the web is frustrating. They don't ever tell you the actual dimension of the rubes, just which tyres they fit. You get helpful advice like:A bicycle inner tube could be a good source for bands? Just need to find the right width and cut into strips.
Ask at a proper bike shop for ones that are going in the bin. Depressingly, an awful lot of people either don't know how to fix a puncture, or can't be a***d. So they take the bike to the bike shop for a new tube.Which tube fits the bill? I have no idea and I'm not going to buy a bunch of inner tubes to find one that fits. I have a feeling the shop won't let me return them once I've sliced them up
I found this place but I think the minimum order would be a bit excessive and they are in the US. They do have a handy size chart though.Shimming modern GEM blades for use in vintage razors is nothing new and I have written about it ↪here.
Here's another way of doing it and one I quite like - the rubber band shim:
The rubber band in the following pictures is 1 inch long (when laid flat) and ¼ inch wide (rubber bands seem to be measured in inches). The blade with the rubber band is 2.19mm thick, which is slightly more than required, but it works really well. The rubber has the added advantage that it properly removes any blade chatter. One thing to keep in mind when using the rubber band shim is that the rubber band stops the blade from sliding around in the head, so you shouldn't rely on the spring in the head moving the blade towards the blade stops. Just make sure the blade is seated properly when closing the head.
One disadvantage of the rubber band shim is the availability of suitable rubber bands. I have one rubber band of the correct size and no idea where it came from. If you know of a good source of 1 (maybe 1¼) inch long, ¼ inch wide rubber bands, please let me know.
How wide is it if you put if flat on a table? How thick is the rubber?Just been having a rummage and found out a 27 x 1 1/4" tube.
I reckon it might be about right. I don't do SE so no gem blades to test it on. Let me know if you want a length and I'll get some in the post for you.
How wide are they? They look rather thin on ebay.Kids Loom Bands will fit...
That sounds OK - the rubber band I have been using is 25mm and a bit of a stretch...31mm ish flat
And less than 1mm
I think my rubber band came with a router, maybe around some cable, but I'm not sure.I got my rubber band from the odds-n-sods dish. I reckon it came as one of those small bands that tie up micro-USB cables when you get a new gadget.
Using my calipers I measure the spine to be 0.98mm thick and with the rubber band attached 1.91mm. So the extra thickness is 0.93mm or 0.47mm extra each side of the spine. That's about the same as half a spine shim added under the spine which seems about right to me.
Sounds promising but the proof is in the pudding - which will be tomorrow's shave.
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