Welding and Metalworking - Seam Welding plastic sheeting
Doityourself.com community forum was created to provide answers to all questions related to home improvement and home repair. Doityourself community can help you find information about how-to topics on small fixes to large remodeling projects. With comprehensive how-to content and expertly moderated community forums DoItYourself.com makes it easy to tackle even the most complex home improvement projects.View Full Version : Seam Welding plastic sheeting
harcx
10-07-08, 08:53 PM
Can anyone help with a technique for creating an 2" (50mm) hem type seam along the edge of a sheet of clear 200uM builders plastic.
I want to create either a single fold or double fold hem or seam and could simply roll and stitch on the sewing machine but I would much rather heat or otherwise weld.
If anyone can give me some tips you will win the smiling kangaroo appreciation award
I have most of the standard DIY tools; soldering irons, heat guns, domestic irons etc
ThanX
HarcX
I want to create either a single fold or double fold hem or seam and could simply roll and stitch on the sewing machine but I would much rather heat or otherwise weld.
If anyone can give me some tips you will win the smiling kangaroo appreciation award
I have most of the standard DIY tools; soldering irons, heat guns, domestic irons etc
ThanX
HarcX
the_tow_guy
10-08-08, 06:29 AM
I moved your question to a fresh thread so it wouldn't get lost in the longer existing thread. :coffee:
UWLocator
10-11-08, 01:10 AM
I would suggest starting here. (http://www.malcomheatguns.com/downloads/files/HOW%20TO%20REPAIR%20TENTS%20AND%20TARPS%20WITH%20HEAT%20GUNS.pdf) That will give you some basic info on the process.
You will need to identify the exact plastic and determine that it is not a thermoset plastic. Then find out the melting point and set your heat gun to something a few degrees above that. You should test with a sample first to be sure that you are melting the plastic and not burning it. Also, be aware that some plastics, notably some PEs will shrink when heated. Those are not good canidates for manual seaming. It is very hard to get consistant results with them using manual techniques.
Another issue to be aware of, creating seams using a heat gun and pressure roller is a VERY slow process.
Both Malcom (http://www.malcomheatguns.com) and Urethane Supply (http://www.urethanesupply.com/) have a lot of good information on plastic welding on their sites.
Good luck,
Rip
You will need to identify the exact plastic and determine that it is not a thermoset plastic. Then find out the melting point and set your heat gun to something a few degrees above that. You should test with a sample first to be sure that you are melting the plastic and not burning it. Also, be aware that some plastics, notably some PEs will shrink when heated. Those are not good canidates for manual seaming. It is very hard to get consistant results with them using manual techniques.
Another issue to be aware of, creating seams using a heat gun and pressure roller is a VERY slow process.
Both Malcom (http://www.malcomheatguns.com) and Urethane Supply (http://www.urethanesupply.com/) have a lot of good information on plastic welding on their sites.
Good luck,
Rip