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@stuartl@mastodon.longlandclan.id.au

Post #4416158

2026-08-06 11:27 UTC

Rather than roll the dice on yet another Chinese vendor… I'm taking a different tack. I've acquired a roll of 0.3mm PVC. https://www.bunnings.com.au/nuplastex-137cm-x-3-5m-0-30mm-crystal-clear-pvc-film-tablecloth-blinds-awnings_p0495783 It's a 3½m roll of the stuff, 1370mm wide. Should be enough. There are five possible ways I can join pieces of it: - sew it, then use seam sealer (as suggested by @ai6yr@m.ai6yr.org) - glue it / chemical welding (what I was thinking of initially) - thermal welding - ultrasonic welding - RF welding Whilst I have devices that can put 100W of RF anywhere between 1.8MHz and 29MHz… I don't think my radio finals will take too kindly to this sort of abuse… and a RF welding rig is likely well outside my price range. Ultrasonic rigs are up around the AU$700+ mark… pricey for a one-off. Thermal welding rigs need to get to 300°C… soldering iron territory. I have an old Jaycar one that has temperature control and a somewhat buggered tip. Might be an option here. I'll try a small sample of material and see what works.

Replies (1)

  • @SuperMoosie@mastodon.au 2026-08-06 11:45

    @stuartl@mastodon.longlandclan.id.au @ai6yr@m.ai6yr.org Plastic bag sealer. https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/356251151129?var=625242804298&stype=1&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY (Can't verify quality or electrical safety of this one. Seems very cheap) Back in 1990 was part of the Young Archivers program. About 25 students from various a schools, were teamed up with a company for guidance and you would run your own company, sell shares, make a product etc. Someone had the idea of turning excess plastic our host company had lots of, into plastic punchos. Like the thin disposable ones, but thicker. Used a thermal bag sealer for straight sides, but the hoods were curves. I think we sewed them together.

    Open ##4416156