Making plastic parts easily. 3D Printer alternative?

[Dave100456]

The recent thread about 3D printing prompted me to highlight a material called Polymorph which some users may not have come across.

Polymorph is an inexpensive yet invaluable material and I carry stock on the boat to repair/fabricate new parts with complex shapes.

In a nutshell, it is plastic granules that coagulate when immersed in hot water (approx 70 Celsius) and can then be moulded and shaped by hand until cool. It sets to approx the working properties of nylon and being a thermoplastic can be remoulded over and over again by immersion back in hot water.

Complex items can be made quickly and easily.

 

[fergie_mac66]

Only 70 degrees global warming is going to cause problems

 

[Spyro]

I came across this stuff recently and thought it would be great to have on the boat. I haven't found a purpose for it yet.

 

[jamie N]

I've never heard of this before, but read this thread and bought some at Maplin this morning. 1st job was to adapt a utensil handle to make it accessible for my wife. Easy peasy, what wonderful stuff!

 

[alahol2]

An alternative with similar uses but different properties is Sugru.

 

[Dave100456]

I've never heard of this before, but read this thread and bought some at Maplin this morning. 1st job was to adapt a utensil handle to make it accessible for my wife. Easy peasy, what wonderful stuff!

Glad it was of use. eBay has various sellers offering multiple kgs of the stuff down to a £2 sample inc p&p

 

[benchmark]

I have used it in the past to make covers for my deck hatch handles and deck table bases , so that they did not collect Water in the rain.