Calling all modders

[stevo_tdo]

I've found some very good components and had some very knowledgeable people help me out. I love being able to take parts designed for something else and making them bend to my needs. For example - Nicowolfs modding of a standard aa box for which i have a few sitting here at my desk as I type. My next mod will require something bigger in size to accomondate the charging board it will be incorporating. I know I can get away with using a 3 aa box or maybe even a 3 aaa box. Even with those there would still be some wasted space here and there. I know most modders in here deal with adapting parts but not fabricating. I need to know if anyone knows or has dealt with making plastic parts (i need to make a custom case). We spend all this time designing and building but under most circumstances we are limited by the size and shape of the containers we choose to put those parts in. If no one knows or can't say I will have to figure it out from trial and error. I just think being able to make our own custom cases would be a big step. I do mean very little expense. I'm not talking about full scale production here.

Anyways thanks to all again.
Steve

[.308]

Hard plastic sheets, square/round bending dies, heatgun, epoxy.

[stevo_tdo]

This is promising

How to Make Your Own Prototypes : How to make your own Plastic Vacuum Former

This place sells abs and abs flame resistant sheets

http://www.professionalplastics.com/...ETFORMINGGRADE

[kinabaloo]

This is promising

How to Make Your Own Prototypes : How to make your own Plastic Vacuum Former

This place sells abs and abs flame resistant sheets

ABS Sheet - ABS Sheet - Order Online Here

That vacuum moulder tutorial is fascinating

[warp1900]

I think tinear is your man:

http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/for...oncept-pv.html

[kinabaloo]

Just remembered one time I needed some displays for postcards - like letter racks. I was in China at the time and found a place that sold the perspex who offered to do all the cutting and joining. They used what looked like a thin liquid as the glue. Worked fast and made strong joints. Perhaps acetone or something like that. The edges and corners can the be filed to a rounded finish.

The interesting thing about perspec is being able to do either a transparent case or a translucent one which could be lit by LEDs internally. Either would be interesting. It's nice stuff to work with.

[dedmonwakin]

Tinear could probably help here, he's a master a fabricating.

I deal in polyurethane and resin casting/sculpting with clay and polymer clay. If your looking to make your own case from 100% scratch. Let me know, but honestly..it's a bit costly if your going to do just 1,2,3, or 4 with no intent to sell and requires patience like no other, since you'll need to hand sculpt your case, notches, latch locks, and lip seals. Fabricating would probabley be your best bet.

[kinabaloo]

I think tinear is your man:

http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/for...oncept-pv.html

I too was thinking of tinnear; i imagine he knows of this already, but perhaps not. Could be handy for some of thoe parts he needs to create.

Apparently large plastic (polythene) milk bottles are good to use, perhaps because not only the right material but also because the top is about right for the vacuum cleaner hose

PVC is also often used; as in making vinyl records (big black discs with music on them). The industrial machines are fed with little pellets of the plastic.

[kinabaloo]

There are lots of other materials that could be employed too.

Lacquer would be an interesting one.

Various metals too (even from 'waste' such as tin cans and aly cans).

Paper-mache? Perhaps not. Laminated card? Perhaps not. Laminated aly? Maybe ...

A fascinating topic

[dedmonwakin]

Actually, Papper-mache could work...really. Coat it with epoxy resin, and you have a case that is durable like hardened plastic. But, it would probably need 2-3 coats so that it won't shatter if dropped or bent.