Can someone fill me in on band colors

[Doyle]

I see black bands, yellow bands, and blue bands. Other than the thickness, is there any difference?

[Stodelle]

I think it has become a matter of preference. It used to be that Amber and Black were the 2 choices for natural rubber. Many felt, and still feel, that adding colors weakens the rubber. I can only speak from experience, but I've used blue bands before without them dying any quicker than black bands. The specs for the bands do not show any weakness in colored bands either, but then that is just going off what the manufacturer claims. If we accept what the manufacturers claim, we'd all be driving pick-ups that get 30+ mpg and shooting guns that get 30+ foot range!!!

[Kasshia]

I asked my local Riffe dealer the same question awhile back. The reply was, "one's black and one's yellow." He went on to say he stocks and sells more black, because some people around here swear it makes a difference to the fish. I'm currently using black, because that's what he had in stock last time I bought some.:)

[martian]

Stodelle-
Where can I get my hands on these specs? I have had this arguement with a friend before and if i could show some proof........Thanks

[Spear One]

My manufacturer told me there is no difference between his black and amber tubing onther than they put black colorant in to make it black instead of natural amber. The blue and yellow coating is applied over the black or amber tubing to create the colored tubing. This will sometimes make coated tubing slightly thicker in dia. than uncoated tubing, thus possibly making it a little stronger or tougher to pull back than uncoated black or amber.

However, there is a huge difference between tubing manufactures rubber. There are only two company's that I know of that make latex tubing in the USA. In fact, I think these two companys supply the vast majority of the world market as well.

Company A that we use, (I also believe that the Riffe company uses this tubing as well), makes a tubing that is
"high modulus". This tubing produces a higher "push" per inch stretched than company B's tubing. Some folks like this extra torque and feel it gives them more velocity and penetration at distance.

Company B makes a tubing that is a little softer and easier to pull than company A's tubing. This tubing must be stretched at least 3 to 4 times its relaxed length in order to start producing good torque. This tubing is a good choice for women and kids, as well as someone who likes three or four bands but wants the gun easier to load.

How do you know which band is mane of which rubber? You really don't know unless you pick a particular manufacturer, find out which supplier they use and stick with that brand. Our bands are clearly marked in bags in most stores. If they are not bagged they can easily be identified by the "straight cut" on the end of the band. We do not taper the end of our bands and I do not know of any other large volume manufacturer that does. I absolutely hate grinding latex tubing because it makes one heck of a mess. Grinding also wastes about 2" of tubing per band.

Hope this info helps.

[uluabusta]

I've tried the different bands and found the blue UV coated bands to be snappier than the other bands giving a quicker solid shot than the black bands while the red UV coated bands are similar to the plain amber bands in that they tend to give a smoother less harsh shot. The red and amber bands are easier to pull than blue bands of the same length. The blue bands remind me of the "mean green" bands in strength and snap.

[Stodelle]

Here is the website where they tested power bands:

http://rocknfish.com/Rubber_Test.html

The manufacturers specs, at least through who I buy from, are posted at:

http://www.mcmaster.com/catalog/109/html/0097.html#.

Hope that helps. I use 5/8" bands at 250-300% elongation and have not had a problem, oe noticeable difference in blue, amber, or black.

[JCACTION]

Natural colored rubber typically does not have as many additives, reinforcers, and antioxidants in it. The natural colored rubber typically will oxidize and degrade faster. The black rubber typically also has carbon black as an additive. This acts as a reinforcer. The rubber molecules are actually bonded to these tiny particles stronger than they are bonded to themselves. When a tiny crack or tear begins on the molecular level, the preposition of this tear is interrupted when a particle is reached - thereby making it a bit stronger.

The amber material typically does have less relaxation - because it is usually unfilled. However, try this: take two strips of rubber, black and amber. Stretch them out (in a vice or some type of grip system). nick each of them with a razor blade. You will notice that the black rubber will hold up much better with the nick than the amber - all other things being equal.