Rolling Acrylic..... (1 Viewer)

[Wildfire]

Anyone ever tried this before? I need a REALLY think walled acrylic tube, and I figure that the best I'm going to be able to do is roll some 0.010" sheeting into a tube....

Unless, of course, someone knows where I can get thin walled tubes....

If you can help, I'd love to discuss the project. It's right of the geek-o-meter.

Matt

 

[Metzzen]

iIve seen acrylic tube that you can buy, just search acrylic tube on yahoo. The only problem i have found is they usually make you buy the 12' piece wether you need all of it or not.

im confused, do you need thick or thin? you said both.

 

[Wildfire]

sorry think = thin. I need really "flimsy" tube, since I need an incredibly low weight - to - square - footage ratio.

 

[Guest]

I know they sell an assortment of super thin plastic tubing for craft stuff at Michaels/Hobby Lobby. I forgot what it was used for but I know I have seen it for model stuff.... Might be too rigid for your purpose though? Not sure that its acrylic though and I work for a chemical company =P but then again I never thought to check.

 

[Guest]

I know Petco/Pestmart sells a tub made for powerheads and undergravel filters. its small and thin
Hope that helps

 

[bag151]

How big of a radius are you looking for? You can buy an assortment of thin wall acrylic online. I have some either 3 or 4 in thin wall that would work well.

 

[Wildfire]

I'm looking for something with an ID of around .710in (yeah, I'm actually specific).

I'm in a model rocket club, and it occurred to me that I could build a "visible rocket" to use for educational purposes... But I actually want it to be flight worthy, so I'm being a snob about the parts.

 

[chriskb3]

I remember when I used to be big into model rockets, fun times!

there are a few different kind of clear plastic tubes for different purposes that you can try out.

In the lighting dept of home depot, there are thin walled plastic tubes to go over flourescent bulbs. (come in about 3-4' lengths in a couple of diameters)
Also, the tubes used for commonly sold gravel vaccums at say Walmart. (also come in different sizes)

I think finding anything commercially made, the exact diameter you are looking for will be pretty tough.

Depending on the length of the tube you need, you could try something like rolling up a sheet of transparency (like they use on overhead projectors back in school) and taping/gluing it to hold.

A side note: make sure whatever material you use, the glue which you attach the motor casing holder to the inside of the body will adhere to the plastic. I know hot glue for instance will probably just let loose when you fire the engine and it will shoot though the body.

Sorry for the long post, havnt gotten into rockets for a while, miss it.

edit: I think Estes made a model kit that had a clear plastic body so that you could see the internals.

 

[Metzzen]

whynot have a demenstrational rocket that is made out of transparency material like described above, and then one just like it that you actually fly. Would serve the purpose both ways. Or just use a regular tube and cut a third of the side out, leaving it attatched ever few inches for strength

 

[firewolf4]

depending on the Series motor you use, you could get away with just about any clear tubing as long as it meets your diameter requirements.
for adhesion, I would opt for epoxy or even thick CA glue. I've built shorter clear rockets out of fluorescent bulb protectors and formed my own nose cones from Balsa. they've worked remarkably well and are much more durable than the standard cardboard tubing. These were less than 4' in length with the largest being powered by 3 clustered D7-12's
Standard plastic model cement also works well for bonding on this type of plastic.
as a Last ditch effort, you could create your own tubing using heavy clear packaging tape, an inner form and patience. Once formed. heat in an oven at about 150 degrees for about 15 mins to redistribute the glue on the tape. Wrap the tape with the sticky side OUT on your first wrapping.