Sorry, not sure about "tap plastics". The stuff I'm buying is used for covering furniture, or used as storm windows or whatever. Marine vinyl is really good. I used to think it was 4 gauge vinyl, but it's actually 12 gauge. Probably best to make sure it's UV treated, but mine doesn't say specifically and is proving itself quite well outside for the past month or so. No cracking or getting hard or anything. Anything that is sold to be used outdoors is what you're looking for.
Here's a link to Amazon to give you an idea of what you want: http://www.amazon.com/No-Manufacturer-Gauge-Clear-Vinyl/dp/B003ZFA4LM/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1373261515&sr=8-1&keywords=12+gauge+vinyl I've also just updated a document that explains a lot of stuff here<https://docs.google.com/document/d/1x-PUR8OMG-4_uxGuXYmoctYTdwBAl8R0mYkJc0gnCYY/edit?usp=sharing>. One thing I just learned is not to use the "eco friendly" contact cement that cleans up with water. Use the hardcore stuff. I'm all for saving the environment, but the 'Woodweld' in a green can is not what you want (takes too long to get tacky and dry). Find the "original" stuff in the red can if you can. Using 4 vs 6 inches is up to you. I'm personally going with 4 inches for my tight hinges (giving me 2 inches of contact on either board) and then 7 inch strips on my loose hinges (3 inches will be taken up by my board thickness (1.5"), and then 2" on each surface). In my experience, that seems to be plenty strong. See my tests<https://drive.google.com/folderview?id=0B9akv0Z5bU-IazJmZ2NHa2l3dVU&usp=sharing> (labeled "Test") on various things. Those prototypes only have 1.5 inches on each board, and some of that is over masking tape, reducing their adhesion; they hold up pretty well. Though it never hurts to overbuild, and if you're doing a regular hexayurt, you won't use too much, so why not? On my quad dome, I have something like 136 joins/edges that need to be done, so I will require about 31 yds of the stuff. Something like that anyway. Have fun! On Friday, July 5, 2013 10:00:32 PM UTC-7, Steve Upstill (Swifty) wrote: > > I LOVE this discussion of hinging technology and I'm sold on replacing my > "permanent" tape hinges with the vinyl/contact cement combo--at least for > purposes of experimentation. Could someone with experience provide a quick > buying guide for the stuff? Vinyl is a many-varied beast and it would be > nice to know exactly what to head for. Is Tap Plastics my friend in this > department? Anybody have any data about 4" vs. 6" strips? ...and so forth... > > Many Thanks, > Steve Upstill > > On Thursday, March 28, 2013 1:17:41 PM UTC-7, Jacob Rodriguez wrote: >> >> So, I'm going to be building a quarter sized nearodesic polyhedron >> ("quad") dome (1 rmax sheet = 8 triangles) for BRC this year. >> >> My foamcore and masking tape prototypes (1:12 and 1:5 scale) have been >> going well. I'm learning how to do the tape hinges, and how to miter the >> edges with a razor and angled metal guide. I'm thinking that the full size >> version will be relatively easy to prepare and construct. My end result is >> a 6' high, 12' diameter dome that folds down into a 4' x 4' x 15" high box. >> Minimal tape is required as all but one edge of each quad is hinged with >> fabric and adhesive. Only the top square, and 4 "corners" need to be fully >> taped together. >> >> I'm seeing lots of people commenting on how the BFT (bi-filament tape) is >> not really UV resistant, so it flakes off eventually. Also, that it's >> barely a semi-permanent solution, even if you do tape hinges instead of >> one-time assembly. I've considered many different types of ways to join the >> triangles that would last more than one or two times: >> >> - zippers (needed like 400 of them, really really expensive) >> - button snaps and straps (would glue on the snaps to the boards, then >> use a strap to snap them together; this is not weather proof at all) >> - velcro (again, pretty expensive if you use the really good velcro, >> which is likely the only way to guarantee structural integrity and >> 'weatherproof-ness') >> - magnets (even using strong ones (N45), embedding them in the edges of >> the triangles, they could jsut fall out, and still not weather proof. also >> $$$) >> >> ..and a couple of other ideas. I've learned that putting metal >> hooks/rods/bolts (binder clips) through the boards will just rip through it >> with a strong enough tug. They could end up just getting loose and boring >> out big holes. Using plus-shaped ("+") hooks/rods to fasten some sort of >> fabric over the joints are slightly better because they resist being pulled >> like a wire cutter through the board, but you would have holes in the board >> and water could get in. Also, excessive force would also just make the >> holes looser and ruin the boards eventually. But the idea of using some >> sort of fabric seems to hold merit. >> >> My main goal is to build something that can easily be packed away, and >> assembled multiple time. Realizing that the main principles of a good BM >> structure are to seal out rain, dust and light, I think I've come up with a >> possible solution, but I'm curious why I can't find anyone who has tried it. >> * I'm hoping to get some cautionary tales or some encouragement on using >> sport nylon (as opposed to ripstop), and some Super 77 or 80 or 90 spray >> adhesive, instead of the traditional tape.* >> >> The cost might be a little more expensive up front (depending on some >> factors), but I'm thinking that the nylon will last much longer than just >> about any tape and is probably just as strong (if not stronger) than BFT. >> From what I've read, a lot of people end up using some 77 spray anyway >> because of the lubricating residue on the boards. I'm curious if it's more >> UV resistant (or at least the adhesive would be) and therefore survive the >> endless sun bathing better. Also, the concept of cutting fabric into strips >> and using spray adhesive as a backing gives the user many more options when >> it comes to materials (stronger fabric and/or stronger glue), rather than >> just limiting to such a rare find as 6" BFT. Though I'm sure that sport >> nylon "tape" is even more rare. You can also make the strips as wide as you >> want, so you are not limited there either. >> >> I've built a prototype of a hinged triangle using foamcore, sport nylon >> and Super 77, which seems very, very strong. Stronger than masking tape >> anyway. I'm thinking that while it's not waterproof out of the box, I could >> always spray with some scotchguard, or tape over everything with the foil >> tape. Foil tape would also help any concerns on fire-hazard as the adhesive >> is quite flammable. I put a hairdrier on it for about 10 mins on high, to >> see if excessive heat made the glue loosen, but it did quite well. I'm >> thinking the higher temp ratings of 80 or 90 adhesive will help in that >> area. Maybe instead of foil tape. I can spray with some sort of coating >> that will protect against fire and water at the same time. >> >> For cost comparison, my project would be using about 6 rolls of 60yd >> tape. That's about $20 a roll. Plus about 4 rolls of foil tape (for outside >> only) at another $20 a roll. I'm thinking that a can of adhesive will last >> quite a long time, so I may only need about 3 cans at about $20 a pop. The >> fabric is not that expensive (maybe 5 dollars a yard), so I think all in >> all, I might come out saving a little cash (if any at all), but ending up >> with a much more permanent/reusable solution. >> >> Anyway, what do you all think? I'm going to be purchasing a piece of >> polyIso to test. I'm going to make a single "quad" using this nylon and >> adhesive, then leaving it up on my roof for a week or two to see how it >> handles the weather. It's Santa Monica CA weather so not quite the same, >> but should give a good indication as to whether it will survive at all. >> >> Thanks for reading! >> >> >> >> >> -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "hexayurt" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to [email protected]. To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. Visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/hexayurt. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out.
