Any plastics experts out there?
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Road Captain
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 565
Likes: 197
From: London, UK
Any plastics experts out there?
Hi folks - I customized some leather satchels to make saddlebags.
I had some aluminium plate sewn into the backs of them, but evidently I should have used bigger (deeper) plates, as the bottom third of the bags are kinda 'sagging in and under' the bottom edge of the metal plate towards the bike/wheel
What I'm thinking is I might fit another metal/plastic plate to the outside of the bag to keep it straight and stop it sagging in towards the bike - they'll be invisible when fitted anyway, so not bothered about looks.
My question is, should I just be using aluminium sheet again or is there a suitable plastic material (like the kind of stuff they make chopping boards out of, for instance) that might be even lighter?
If so, what would it be called and how thick would it need to be to provide a similar sort of stiffness to, say, 3mm aluminium?
I had some aluminium plate sewn into the backs of them, but evidently I should have used bigger (deeper) plates, as the bottom third of the bags are kinda 'sagging in and under' the bottom edge of the metal plate towards the bike/wheel
What I'm thinking is I might fit another metal/plastic plate to the outside of the bag to keep it straight and stop it sagging in towards the bike - they'll be invisible when fitted anyway, so not bothered about looks.
My question is, should I just be using aluminium sheet again or is there a suitable plastic material (like the kind of stuff they make chopping boards out of, for instance) that might be even lighter?
If so, what would it be called and how thick would it need to be to provide a similar sort of stiffness to, say, 3mm aluminium?
Road Captain
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 735
Likes: 30
From: Orlando, FL
I'm not an expert, really, but I did sell some sheet goods (gasket materials and such) at my former job, so I have some experience.
Something like UHMW Polyethylene might work for what you're looking for. 1/8" thick will still have some flex to it, but be relatively stiff depending on how large or small the sections are. You can get it in black and it's cheap enough from McMaster Carr that you could buy some to experiment with and not be out much if it didn't end up working.
Here's a link (the sheets are on the right): http://www.mcmaster.com/#uhmw-polyet...heets/=12fnad0
Something like UHMW Polyethylene might work for what you're looking for. 1/8" thick will still have some flex to it, but be relatively stiff depending on how large or small the sections are. You can get it in black and it's cheap enough from McMaster Carr that you could buy some to experiment with and not be out much if it didn't end up working.
Here's a link (the sheets are on the right): http://www.mcmaster.com/#uhmw-polyet...heets/=12fnad0
Road Captain
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 560
Likes: 10
From: Livermore, CA
I have cut up old bed liners from pickup trucks and purchased black garbage cans from Home Depot for similar things to what you are doing. These are nice sources because they have the angles already in them.
Road Warrior
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 1,447
Likes: 463
From: USA
Hi folks - I customized some leather satchels to make saddlebags.
I had some aluminium plate sewn into the backs of them, but evidently I should have used bigger (deeper) plates, as the bottom third of the bags are kinda 'sagging in and under' the bottom edge of the metal plate towards the bike/wheel
What I'm thinking is I might fit another metal/plastic plate to the outside of the bag to keep it straight and stop it sagging in towards the bike - they'll be invisible when fitted anyway, so not bothered about looks.
My question is, should I just be using aluminium sheet again or is there a suitable plastic material (like the kind of stuff they make chopping boards out of, for instance) that might be even lighter?
If so, what would it be called and how thick would it need to be to provide a similar sort of stiffness to, say, 3mm aluminium?
I had some aluminium plate sewn into the backs of them, but evidently I should have used bigger (deeper) plates, as the bottom third of the bags are kinda 'sagging in and under' the bottom edge of the metal plate towards the bike/wheel
What I'm thinking is I might fit another metal/plastic plate to the outside of the bag to keep it straight and stop it sagging in towards the bike - they'll be invisible when fitted anyway, so not bothered about looks.
My question is, should I just be using aluminium sheet again or is there a suitable plastic material (like the kind of stuff they make chopping boards out of, for instance) that might be even lighter?
If so, what would it be called and how thick would it need to be to provide a similar sort of stiffness to, say, 3mm aluminium?
I am not a plastics expert, but I have used plastic storage bins cut with tin/metal shears to custom fit inside soft bags before. Just rigid enough to hold the shape desired and not taking up a lot of space or adding weight.
Good luck...
The best performing product for this application is ABS. 1/8" thick sheets are thin enough to not be intrusive, but very rigid and light.
Rather than cut individual sheets for each side of the bag, form a "U" shape that can be inserted. If the opening doesn't allow the "U" to fit, make two "L" shaped that can be screwed or glued together after installation.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00AKJ...+plaatic+sheet
Rather than cut individual sheets for each side of the bag, form a "U" shape that can be inserted. If the opening doesn't allow the "U" to fit, make two "L" shaped that can be screwed or glued together after installation.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00AKJ...+plaatic+sheet
Thread Starter
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Road Captain
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 565
Likes: 197
From: London, UK
The best performing product for this application is ABS. 1/8" thick sheets are thin enough to not be intrusive, but very rigid and light.
Rather than cut individual sheets for each side of the bag, form a "U" shape that can be inserted. If the opening doesn't allow the "U" to fit, make two "L" shaped that can be screwed or glued together after installation.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00AKJ...+plaatic+sheet
Rather than cut individual sheets for each side of the bag, form a "U" shape that can be inserted. If the opening doesn't allow the "U" to fit, make two "L" shaped that can be screwed or glued together after installation.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00AKJ...+plaatic+sheet
Perfect! thanks
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You could also use kydex (like they make holsters with) you can get it in various thickness and you can also mold it to just about any shape w a heat gun.
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Originally Posted by zkeisler
You could also use kydex (like they make holsters with) you can get it in various thickness and you can also mold it to just about any shape w a heat gun.
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