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Check This Site / Store out!
Started by cyenobot at 05-19-2006 3:46 PM. Topic has 5 replies.
  
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 05-19-2006, 3:46 PM
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cyenobot
 
Joined on 04-04-2006
Posts 29
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Not many people posting to these forums lately. I've been posting too much, so I've tried to lay low. My apologies for too many posts. But I can remain silent no longer :)
There was a feature on the MAKE blog not that long ago for some really neat looking stuff called "shapelock". I'm not sure if you can still see the make blog video anymore so I'll try to describe it. It's pretty simple really... They are the small (1/8") plastic pellets. But what makes these plastic pellets unique, is that they have a low melting temperture. All you need to do is add them to some hot water (not boiling, they recommend 150deg). The pellets start to turn translucent, and when you can stand the heat, you can then mold them like putty or clay. At about 130 deg, they start to cool and harden back to plastic, which can be used for parts, or molds. you can even drill the material (as long as the bit doesn't get higher than 130 degrees).
The reason I'm posting all this, is that on their website:
http://www.shapelock.com/
They are offering free samples (you pay 4.95 for shipping though) for a limited time only.
-cyen
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05-20-2006, 8:36 AM
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Remthewanderer
Joined on 04-03-2006
Posts 12
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Re: free sample of Shapelock
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thanks for the heads up!
no worries,
jeREMy
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05-22-2006, 4:29 AM
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Dolomite
Joined on 03-26-2006
Ardmore
Posts 4
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Re: free sample of Shapelock
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Once it cures, can it be reheated and molded again, or will it retain its shape?
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05-22-2006, 10:23 AM
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cyenobot
Joined on 04-04-2006
Posts 29
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Re: free sample of Shapelock
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Yes, once reheated it becomes soft again. This does limit it's uses to some extent (on the make blog they even joked about how this product would not be good to use in hawaii or hot weather ;)
I tried to think of the best way to experiment with this stuff over the weekend and couldn't come up with a good idea. I think I might try to make a small "mold" and then use it with maybe some "sculpy" clay and make a series of little pieces. I'll post back after I've used it to let you know how easy or difficult it was to use.
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05-22-2006, 4:48 PM
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Dolomite
Joined on 03-26-2006
Ardmore
Posts 4
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Re: free sample of Shapelock
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yeah, I am thinking maybe this could be used to make a custom iPod or Treo holder or something for use in my car. Only problem is it can get pretty hot inside the car and I wouldnt want this melting all over the place! lol.
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06-22-2007, 11:54 AM
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FarMcKon
Joined on 06-22-2007
Philadelphia PA
Posts 5
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Re: free sample of Shapelock
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Shapelock is the same chemical/plastic stuff most mouthgaurds (for sports) are made out of . Back in Rochester I bought a few mouthgaurds and was melting them down for a project before I discovered Shapelock. Take it from me, the pellets are much eaiser to work with than a cut up or pull apart a mouthgaurd. After I ordered some shapelock I did a side-by-side metldown, and it seems to be the exact same stuff. They mix completely if you mould them together into one shape. For $5 it would be faster ( and you probably get more material) by running to Generic Sporting Depot and picking up a couple of cheap 'mould in hot water' mouth gurads for $1.99 each.
This stuff can also work well as a cheap 'window' for small hobby projects. If you streatch it thin as it cools, you can get it thin enough to be transparent, and you can get it 'transparent and stiff' or 'transparent and kind-of flexable' depending on how thin you spread it. Or (even cooler) you can get a transparent surface with translucent white whorls and spirals in it. I have yet to try dying the stuff, but I've been meaning to try that. Probably by melting in some kids melting beads.
I have a 20 oz (or so) jar of the stuff if anyone wants to check it. I can drag it along to the next Make::Philly if folks want. I wouldn't mind letting it get used for a project, as long I get (most of) it back in a re-meltable state.
- Far (Jon McKamey)
P.S. My browser spellcheck won't working in this WYSIWYG entry box. My aplolgies for misspellings.
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Make:Philly Com... » Resources » Check This Site... » Re: free sample of Shapelock
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