Tube cutter for Covid facemask cushion

thingiverse

I've been making excellent facemasks for my family using the current design on Thingiverse. To make installing a rubber cushion easier, I created a cutter that splits the tubing accurately and quickly, allowing users to easily attach it to the mask edges. This device is designed specifically for 8mm O/D, 4mm I/D rubber tubing, which is commonly used in water spray hoses for cars and is readily available. The cutter uses a standard Stanley craft knife blade and features adjustable cut depth settings. To use it, start by slicing the initial 50 mm of the tube manually, then feed it onto the blade from the wider end. Next, simply pull the tubing through as needed. Install the tubing on the facemask, starting and ending at the bottom, and mitre the tube ends for a secure fit. Glue the joint together using superglue and accelerator if you have them. If you're using silicone tubing, it won't glue easily, so I recommend printing a bead of PLA to match your tube's ID and inserting it at the bottom of the rim. You may need to cut a small part out of the rim to fit it in. This bead acts as a secure seal for the tube. See the picture for more details.