Author Topic: Thermoforming plastics getting started  (Read 13152 times)

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Offline Norm

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Re: Thermoforming plastics getting started
« Reply #15 on: March 17, 2012, 10:42:07 pm »
Well, I got some Kydex sheet and am going to try to DIY a couple holsters. 

Tom
Plastic for holsters...for fine weapons?
What's wrong with leather.....Like in the old westerns.....
"Fill your hand...slap leather....er  plastic ? "  :)
Norm.

Offline tomw

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Re: Thermoforming plastics getting started
« Reply #16 on: March 18, 2012, 01:14:16 am »
Well, I got some Kydex sheet and am going to try to DIY a couple holsters. 

Tom
Plastic for holsters...for fine weapons?
What's wrong with leather.....Like in the old westerns.....
"Fill your hand...slap leather....er  plastic ? "  :)
Norm.

Well, norm, it has to do with specialty uses. The stuff holds things in very well yet a sharp pull releases it with no snaps or other motions.  You can form a sheet perfectly to any reasonable shape. It is light, very tough and will last a very long time with no care. Basically it allows a lot of creativity with how you can position it. Space Age stuff.  only .060" thick and tough.

Join the 21st century, Norm!

Here is an example of what they make from it:



The tan part is leather because it is against the skin. It is worn inside the waistband and very stealthy.

That pistol will not fall out even if you are rolling around playing with the dog. A sharp pull on the grip will release it and it is simple to adjust how much it grips the pistol. Notice the way it is formed to the shape of the piece..

Make sense?

Tom

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Offline Wolvenar

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Re: Thermoforming plastics getting started
« Reply #17 on: March 18, 2012, 01:59:03 am »
Looks handy Tom
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Offline Norm

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Re: Thermoforming plastics getting started
« Reply #18 on: March 18, 2012, 09:11:43 am »
Yeah makes sense and uh yeah hello 21st century....
I'm still alive and learnin'  :)
Stuff is neat on second thought....
thanks Tom.....
gives me some ideas for some of my projects........
Norm.
 

Offline ghurd

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Re: Thermoforming plastics getting started
« Reply #19 on: March 18, 2012, 09:33:00 am »
Uh... Fobus Roto?

I used a heat gun and found its really handy because after you get your initial shape in the mold,

My experience with the heat gun did not involve a mold.
A mold probably makes a BIG difference.  ;)
G-

Offline tomw

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Re: Thermoforming plastics getting started
« Reply #20 on: March 18, 2012, 10:10:33 am »
I have been experimenting with one sheet on small items..





These are Comtech Stingers they are simple personal defence impact tools. Intended to attach to your key chain through that eye on it. Or, if in gentler company they are Accupressure tools designed to apply pressure where it will do the most good  ;D

We find them inconvenient on the keychain and if you need it while driving (carjacking or whatever) its locked to the keys in the ignition. Plus if you got in a scuffle and lost the tool your escape vehicle keys are lost, too.

I saw this type "sheath" for them online for $30 plus S&H.

Perfect test of my system.

Neither are pretty. Both work. The bottom one was my first Kydex attempt ever. It got away from me as I tried to handle it with no gloves and a large hemostats which left me with it laid on crooked. Some trimming and it worked but is an odd shape.

The top one is laid on better but too small on the piece I used. I preheated the stinger by leaving it on top of the toaster oven I heated the Kydex with. I used a slow heating process starting at 200F and stepping up the heat as the plastic reacted to the heat. It got a bit too hot I think because it kind of stuck bad to the foam in the book style press. It is functionally better but visually not so nice. It has the tightest fit and best detail inside the sheath

I should be good to go when the IR thermometer gets here next week so I can get precise with temperature which can be critical in the process.

I can see how this stuff can make all manner of tool holders that I don't see available.

Just a share.

Tom
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Offline tomw

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Re: Thermoforming plastics getting started
« Reply #21 on: March 18, 2012, 11:07:09 am »
I linked to large photos and the forum resizes them for display right.

However, when I click on a photo for the full size image it shows as a large photo but only part of it is visible and I can't scroll across it or up or down. Seems to be limited to about the display width of the original??

Seems it used to open it in an area with a scroll bar to move around the photo?
 
Just wondering if it is just me or others get this.

FireFox (11.0 Mozilla Firefox for Ubuntu Canonical -1.0) on a current Ubuntu 11.10

Tom
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Offline WooferHound

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Re: Thermoforming plastics getting started
« Reply #22 on: March 18, 2012, 11:35:39 am »
When I click to expand a photo it brings up the photo in another small window. I have to maximize the window, or grab a corner of the window and drag it out bigger to see the full sized picture.

The Forum tells your browser to resize the photo, The entire file is still sent out.

Edit -  I just clicked your pics and it did behave in a funny way. Expanded the pic to full size but did not provide scroll bars so I could see the entire pic. I had to right-click the photo and choose View Image to see the Giant Pictures you have.
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Offline rossw

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Re: Thermoforming plastics getting started
« Reply #23 on: March 18, 2012, 03:17:51 pm »
Just wondering if it is just me or others get this.

Displays as the "forum sized" image in my FireFox 10.0 on OSX 10.6.8

Clicked the top image and it changed to the full-size image.
Scrolling left and right works, as does up and down.

There is also a scroll bar, but it's at the very bottom of your post, right after the "Just a share." and "Tom".

Offline tomw

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Re: Thermoforming plastics getting started
« Reply #24 on: March 18, 2012, 03:28:21 pm »
Just wondering if it is just me or others get this.

Displays as the "forum sized" image in my FireFox 10.0 on OSX 10.6.8

Clicked the top image and it changed to the full-size image.
Scrolling left and right works, as does up and down.

There is also a scroll bar, but it's at the very bottom of your post, right after the "Just a share." and "Tom".

Ross;

I get the scroll bar but did not notice it until you pointed it out. Not much acreage on my laptop screen. ;)

Thanks

Tom
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24 Trina 310 watt modules, SMA SunnyBoy 7.7 KW Grid Tie inverter.

I thought that they were angels, but much to my surprise, We climbed aboard their starship and headed for the skies