Pop Bottle Heat Shrink Straps/Tubing
by wiley coyote in Living > Life Hacks
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Pop Bottle Heat Shrink Straps/Tubing
Yet another use for this PET stuff.
Got a bundle of sticks you need secured for transport?
Need something strong to hold some poles together TIGHTLY?
Hate untying unruly knots?
Hate knots that come undone on the highway?
For this instructable, I will use one piece construction, but it can be cut into long strips and used similarly.
If you cut this stuff into strips as in Rope,cord,string from Recycled Water Bottles! by bara1962, you will not be limited to the tube diameter and will be able to secure larger irregular shapes, but you will also lose the strength and "convenience" provided by one solid piece.
Note - Various bottles can be cut into tubes of varying diameters/shapes and lengths as required.
Got a bundle of sticks you need secured for transport?
Need something strong to hold some poles together TIGHTLY?
Hate untying unruly knots?
Hate knots that come undone on the highway?
For this instructable, I will use one piece construction, but it can be cut into long strips and used similarly.
If you cut this stuff into strips as in Rope,cord,string from Recycled Water Bottles! by bara1962, you will not be limited to the tube diameter and will be able to secure larger irregular shapes, but you will also lose the strength and "convenience" provided by one solid piece.
Note - Various bottles can be cut into tubes of varying diameters/shapes and lengths as required.
What You Need
Bottle
Utility knife or scizzors (If using scizzors, they work better in one direction than the other)
Marker for uniform width, if desired.
Heat gun or other source of heat.
Something to secure ..... that will not melt.
Utility knife or scizzors (If using scizzors, they work better in one direction than the other)
Marker for uniform width, if desired.
Heat gun or other source of heat.
Something to secure ..... that will not melt.
What You Do
1. Cut the ends off of a clear beverage bottle made of PET to form a tube. Cut tube into rings or straps if desired. One could leave one end of the bottle on to form a waterproof, durable cap, in fact.
2. Slip tube/ring over stuff to be secured together. Techniques for securing a strap will be your choice.
3. Heat and serve. Foil, or layers of, could be used as a heat shield if securing something temperature sensitive.
2. Slip tube/ring over stuff to be secured together. Techniques for securing a strap will be your choice.
3. Heat and serve. Foil, or layers of, could be used as a heat shield if securing something temperature sensitive.
Applications
Temporarily, or permanently, securing sticks, or equivalent, together.
Sealing the ends of tubes.
Belts. To be "secured" in place, and tightened with heat. There are two examples of latching systems below, in sequential order with notes on pics. My weaving skills are lacking, so you are on your own there, but you just know a heat shrink web would be a creature all it's own.
Hanging decorations and other stuff. Be careful to apply heat only to what you want heated.
Sealing the ends of tubes.
Belts. To be "secured" in place, and tightened with heat. There are two examples of latching systems below, in sequential order with notes on pics. My weaving skills are lacking, so you are on your own there, but you just know a heat shrink web would be a creature all it's own.
Hanging decorations and other stuff. Be careful to apply heat only to what you want heated.