Recycle Your Plastic Bags By Making A Messenger Bag!

Now that grocery stores are using fabric bags for shopping, our plastic bags are accumulating under the kitchen sink. If you Google the internet for items made of out plastic bags, the search results are limitless. One that caught our eye was the messenger bag. There is a video on YouTube with step-by-step directions on creating this bag.

Protect Your Walls with Plastic Panels

Although Redco™ FRP Panels are traditionally used in food processing plants, hospitals and restaurants, they also can be used at home to protect your walls from the scratching claws of pets and active children wielding felt tip pens.

In high traffic areas such as mud rooms, playrooms and entrances/exits where pets are eager to go outside and children do what they do, plastic walls will protect drywall from dents, scratches and general wear and tear.

Redco™ FRP Panels are available in a variety of sizes and colours to complement your home and are made of an impact absorbent material that is easy to clean and looks new for years.

Visit Redwood Plastics for more information on FRP Wall Protection.

Oil from Plastic Scrap

We came across a very interesting YouTube video titled, “Man Invents Machine To Convert Plastic Into Oil”. The video discusses and demonstrates a machine that converts plastic back into oil. Akinori Ito developed the machine and travels all over the world to show people that plastic is not waste, but a resource that can be reused.

“The machines are able to process polyethylene, polystyrene and polypropylene. The result is a crude gas that can fuel things like generators or stoves and, when refined, can even be pumped into a car, a boat or motorbike. One kilogram of plastic produces almost one liter of oil. The company makes the machines in various sizes and has 60 in place at farms, fisheries and small factories in Japan and several abroad.”

Is this something countries that don’t have a recycle program in place should consider or try? Would the benefits outweigh the possible cost for this machine? If the whole world had a machine to turn plastic into oil, there is a chance CO2 emissions could drastically decrease but its just a matter of convincing the whole world to purchase the machines and use them.

Replacing a Polycarbonate Plastic Roof

If your polycarbonate plastic roofing has cracked or needs to be replaced for any reason, with a little help from a friend or two it is fairly easy to replace. Follow the steps below to learn how to complete this project.

Tools and Materials Needed:

• Polycarbonate plastic sheets (available at Redwood Plastics)
• Hammer
• Nail Gun
• Marker
• Band saw
• Measuring tape
• Ladder
• Nails
• Prybar
• Screws
• Vise grip pliers
• Powered screwdriver

Step 1 – Obtain Help

This job is nearly impossible to complete by yourself. Ideally, the help of two people. Two people on top of your roof to receive the plastic sheets and one person below to pass them up.

Step 2 – Remove Old Roof

Using your screwdriver, claw hammer and a prybar (if necessary) remove the old roofing material from its framing boards. Once you have removed the old roof and any nails and screws that were holding it down, you will be ready to install the new roof.

Step 3 – Cutting Polycarbonate Plastic

Polycarbonate plastic typically comes in 4′x8′ sheets, and you will most likely have to cut the sheets to the proper length before installing them. To do this, you can either use the old roofing sheets as a guide for your dimensions or you can use a measuring tape to determine the dimensions. Measure the correct dimensions on the sheet of polycarbonate plastic and use a marker to draw a line marking your cuts. Use your band saw to cut the polycarbonate to size.

Step 4 – Inspect Wood for Damage

Make sure that the wood you will be attaching the roof to is not damaged or rotting and replace or repair accordingly.

Step 5 – Install Polycarbonate Plastic Roofing

It’s up to you whether you want to use nails, screws, or a combination of the two to attach your polycarbonate to the roofing boards. Screws will typically be your best bet for stability, but a combination of the two will usually be best. Begin by using a nail gun to drive nails through the polycarbonate plastic into the ridges of the roof. When you reach the end of one sheet of plastic, simply overlap the pieces to achieve a seal. Once you have nailed the sheets in place, attach screws with watertight washers into the flat areas between the roof ridges.

For more information on polycarbonate please visit our website; www.redwoodplastics.com or call us at:

CDN: 1 800 667 0999
USA: 1 866 733 2684

How Do I Choose a Plastic Welder?

Plastic welders are used to join thermoplastic materials together. A thermoplastic is a polymer that turns to a liquid when heated and freezes to a very glassy state when cooled sufficiently. Thermoplastic polymers differ from thermoset polymers in that they can be remelted and remoulded.

A plastic welder brings the plastic material up to a specific temperature and then joins the pieces under pressure. There are many types of plastic welders because different plastic varieties require a different joining method. Some welders are self-contained and easily portable; others require an air or gas source and are stationary units. Types of plastic welders include hand-held “stick” welders, airless welders, extrusion welders, and injection welders. Knowing the application and the material to be joined is the first step to selecting the best plastic welder for the job.

Identifying the plastic that is being welded is key to achieving a strong bond. Identifying the type of plastic can be as easy as checking out the identifying number on the material itself or asking your supplier. It also is important to note that different types of plastic will not weld together.

Hand-held hot air welders, or stick welders, are a common portable plastic welder. These use a heat source to soften the plastic while a plastic rod is melted to fill the gap. The key to getting a good bond from a stick welder is to maintain a consistent downward pressure, distance between the heat source and the tool, and working speed. Features to look for in a stick welder include a way to control the air pressure, preferably from a small, portable compressor; some way to fine-tune the heat surce — ones with multiple elements are a bonus; and interchangeable tips that can be selected to best fit the shape of the plastic welding application.

An airless plastic welder is like a stick welder, but uses a heating element to melt a smaller plastic rod without using an outside air supply that is blowing in heat. This type of plastic welder generally eliminates excessive welding rod buildup and can help avoid panel warpage. The final weld usually should penetrate about 75 percent of the base materials, and typically should be allowed to air cool for at least 30 minutes.

Extrusion welders are larger than the previous two units, so if space is an issue, this may not be the welder for you. This plastic welder provides a larger bead and usually is a floor-standing machine. The weight of the machine itself provides the downward pressure during the welding process.

Injection welders are both lightweight and portable — a great option if mobility is desired. Normally they are easy to use and produce a high-quality bond. The key to a decent weld with an injection welder is the ability to change the aluminum tip on the plastic welder to fit the proportions that are required. For a complete list of every type of plastic weld; click here.

Redwood Plastics can also do any welding, fabrication, machining and molding for you. Email us at sales@redwoodplastics.com or call one of our locations across North America. Click here for our list of branches.

UHMW Boat Building Solutions

Wood, especially Orford Cedar is becoming scarce and more expensive for boat builders and marine applications. Redwood Plastics has many solutions for the marine industry including boat ribs, non-slip decking, bearings, bushings, liners and skid shoes.

Redco™ UHMW is non-corrosive, it will not rot or rust and it is easy to machine and fabricate.

• Reduces Wear and Protects
• Lightweight
• NO Rust or Corrosion

Redco FRP Grating (Prismagrate) is also available. Prismagrate is a low cost, maintenance free material for docks, ramps and decks.

• Non-slip
• NO Rust or Corrosion
• Easy to Install
• Lightweight

Redco™ UHMW Skid Plate – Boat Bottom Protection
A Redco™ UHMW Skid Plate (skid shoe) is an abrasion resistant that has outlasted steel in many applications. When attached to the bottom of wooden drift boats,  Redco™ UHMW makes your boat impervious to the abrasion of river rock and gravel bars. The skid plate is simply attached to the bottom of the boat with stainless steel screws.

Redco™ UHMW Boat Ribs – Innovative Building Materials
The perfect, low cost replacement to wood. Redco™ UHMW boat ribs will not rot or rust and have outstanding durability with a high tensile strength.

Redco FRP Grating – PRISMAGRATE Docks and Walkways
PRISMAGRATE FRP GRATING provides durability with extremely high strength and stiffness.

MINI-MESH helps to prevent small tools and other objects from dropping through to the ground beneath. Lightweight MINI-MESH panels are readily removable and allow for easy access under the installation.

CLICK HERE for other Marine Applications.

www.redwoodplastics.com
CDN: 1800-667-0999
USA: 1866-733-2684

The Transparent Car – Shell Helix Ultra

Not that we had anything to do with the production of this vehicle but we had to make mention of this engineering plastic marvel. It really goes to show how nearly anything is possible with plastic.

No matter what the project or application – there is likely a grade of plastic that will out perform and outlast metals and rubbers..

Contact Redwood Plastics about your project:
www.redwoodplastics.com

Plastic Goes Public

Not the most recent IPO - an extremly creative public art display by Phillip K. Smith made of HDPE. A unique sculpture with a special purpose.

The following excerpt is taken from the IAPD Magazine..

Transforming Public Art with HDPE
In late 2006, Annette Bloch was in the process of planning the renovation of the original 1980s Richard and Annette Bloch Cancer Survivors Park in Kansas City, MO, USA. She turned to Phillip K. Smith of the Art Office to design a unique sculpture that would seek to be a positive inspiration for transformation and hope for those who visit the park. Learn about the fabrication and installation process of the “Transformed Flower” sculpture that is now a centerpiece for the renovated part. Read the full article.

Learn more about Redco HDPE… click here.

Protect Surfaces from Graffiti Vandals

 

Our Wearlon® Anti-Graffiti Coatings
protects surfaces from graffiti vandals.   

An epoxy-silicone, three component, water-based, room temperature cure coating.  

The Wearlon coating with its slick surface resists spray paint, marker, pen, pencil, blood and most stain causing products thereby deterring the vandal.

Clean the Wearlon surface with soap and water or mild house hold detergent and a nylon brush, unlike other anti-graffiti coatings that require harsh toxic solvents.

• Non-Toxic• Low V.O.C.
• Durable
• Excellent Hiding Properties
• Easily Applied via Spray or Roller
• Easy to Clean without Harsh Solvents
• Single Coat Application
• Standard Color – Ivory
  Available in a variety of colors to match your application.
• Transparent, UV Resistant and Extremely Hard 

 

Most graphitized surfaces may be wiped clean with a damp sponge. For surfaces that have been spray painted or drawn on with permanent marker, Wearlon suggests using a mild alkali detergent while scrubbing with a nylon bristle brush. Conventional household cleaners are also quite effective at removing stains.  

For large areas, a power brush spray system with a diluted alcohol water solution or mild conventional paint thinners such as mineral spirits is recommended.  

  

EMAIL:  sales@redwoodplastics.com 

   CDN: 1 800 667 0999   
   USA: 1 866 733 2684 

Plastic Snow Plowing

Save wear on your plow by installing a plastic plow blade protector (edge guard). A Redco UHMW plow blade takes all the abuse and wear from scraping against concrete or brick streets and curbs.

A cost-effective solution to replacing or repairing your plow blade.

Another solution is to make the entire plow blade out of Redco UHMW (pictured below) – this plow was constructed out of Redco High Viz. UHMW.

Some creative solutions from Redwood Plastics:

Redco UHMW plastic

Reversible-just flip it when it wears down

Saves wear on the plow blade

Excellent for use on concrete or brick.

Visit www.redwoodplastics.com and contact a branch near you.