I know what you're talking about. Our floor-standing candelabra came with those fitted over the spikes that hold the candles. They had clearly been cut from a longer tube like a hollow spaghetti noodle (rather than having an end tip like a condom). Sorry, no idea where you'd get them unless maybe a lab supply house like Edmunds Scientific or Sigma Aldrich.

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I don't know if this is what you mean, but you can purchase clear plastic tubing (used by plumbers) in any one of various sizes. Locally, it is available at Home Depot.

Cuts with a razor knife, quite cheap.

Is that what you mean?

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Not exactly. I need something with a rounded tip, like the end of a tube, and smooth.... condom-tipped, as Jane put it.

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I wonder if that plastic would melt appropriately, or if it would do some heinous "catch fire" thing. Although your icon implies you are ready for that. :-)

But I don't know.

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It would probably melt, and I wouldn't worry too much about toxic fumes, either, though I would do it outside to be sure. But it would be unlikely to melt smoothly enough for our purposes.

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Heat shrink (the stuff used on electrical wiring) is designed to do exactly that. I've seen it come in clear tubes, although I don't know if they would be clear enough. You need a heat gun to do a good job of shrinking it, although a hair drier will sometimes do it (if you're very patient) or even a blowtorch (if you're very careful).

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On the other hand, there are the plastic tips which go on the ends of pins for bookshelves with moveable shelves, which are closed at one end.

The closest thing to these I was able to find with some Froogling was this, for choke-collars for dogs, but otherwise it's the sort of thing I think you meant:

http://froogle.google.com/froogle_cluster?q=prong+tips&pid=4873105778504437046&oid=2867984615282913695&btnG=Search+Froogle&lmode=&addr=&scoring=p

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Okay, that is pretty incredible. In fact, that is exactly what I want them for. But, they cannot be black, have to be clear, so the audience doesn't realize that the dog choke-chain that the actor is wearing has its teeth blunted. David and I tried it last evening without the spikes softened, and it was a little rough, even for a tough actor.

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It's a good bet that they're made in other colors; now that you have a product name you can search on that and find other options.

(I'm really glad I was useful!)

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There's a thing called "tool dip" which is for coating the ends of pliers and such, and which costumers use for the ends of corset boning (when using it in bulk rolls), which would work. It might come in clear.

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Here's a couple places:

http://www.bonejourpetsupply.com/itemdetail.aspx?areaid=&categoryid=52&parentid=3&id=278

http://www.nutricraze.com/Prong-Collar-Comfort-Tips-Large-22-Per-Pack-p-13752.html

We need the large size; I'd recommend the latter place. Plus, they don't absolutely need to be clear, I think. Black would look menacing enough and since the tips are not very common, I doubt most people would recognize them for what they are.

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But to the original point, the bookshelf tips are the ones I mean... need a bunch of them...

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Use clear Plastidip http://www.plastidip.com/consumer/index.html

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The bookshelf tips are available in the hardware section of my local hardware store, in the "cabinet supplies" drawers. Also similar, and in the same aisle of the same store, are sleeves for bolts (in several different colors, mostly designed for visibility).

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caught me lurking again...

is painting the choke chain black to match the caps a viable option?

other options direct from manufacturers (perhaps you can convince them to send you some free samples):

http://www.caplugs.com/
http://www.stockcap.com/

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