Need a stiffy!

[Dave77459]

I am electrifying a tank bag. I want to give the bag rigid walls so I can affix power ports, etc. What can I use to build walls inside the bag? I've seen instructions to use aluminum, but I don't have access to a metal shop.

 

I have in mind something like my poly kitchen cutting board. It is a millimeter or so thick, flexible enough to bend, but still stiff. However, it isn't long enough (I think I'll need something 3-4" wide by 3' or so long) and I'd like it to be a single piece. Being white or a light color to help brighten the interior would be a plus.

 

What can I use?

 

Dave

[SilvrT]

Have you looked at stock pieces of plastic that you might find at a hobby shop?

 

Don't know what's near you for stores but we have a few large hobby shops here that I'm sure you'd find exactly what you need.

 

Also, why not just cut 2 lengths from the "cutting" board (pun intended) and stick them together, end to end and then fit that inside the bag.

[Dave77459]

There is actually a hobby store on my daily commute path. Great idea! I was thinking about DIY stores. I also thought about corrugated plastic boards or even foam core, but those add unwanted thickness.

 

I could piece together cutting boards, but hoped there was a one-piece solution.

 

Dave

[Prairiehammer]

If you think white aluminum would work, go to your neighborhood Big Box home center or lumber yard and ask for either aluminum flashing or "trim coil stock". Both come in rolls from 6" wide to 24" wide. Flashing is usually mill finish (ie. silver, natural) aluminum, whereas coil stock is most often painted; usually at least one side is white and brown, gray, clay on other side.

Personally, I didn't like aluminum when I converted a bookbag/backpack into a tank bag, to stiffen the sides. It was too difficult to make it conform to the "tank" cover's curvature and it was TOO rigid (and sharp edged) for my tastes. I used 3/8" white "poly" foam. I salvaged it when it was used as padding/packing for stone caps on pallets. Big sheets (4'x8'x3/8") and easy to cut with utility knife. It is not rigid as in styrofoam, but firmer than cushion/upholstery foam and nearly as flexible. I don't know what the material was, but it turned out to be perfect. I also don't where you can buy it, perhaps Hobby Lobby?

 

Another thought, (though I did not try it) depending on the size of your tank bag: cut a ring from a 5 gal dry wall compound bucket. The ring could be heated to make it the shape of your bag's perimeter and trimmed to height you desire.

[friesman]

In my trunk on the VR , I used kitchen drawer dividers. They interlock when crisscrossed, are easy to cut, and are designed to bend around wide corner. (and they are only a buck or two)

 

Brian

[SilvrT]

BTW ... I'm trying real not to comment on the title of your thread...

[dingy]

A piece of thin plexiglass like material could be fabricated into shape. Even if you cut pieces to size, then epoxied them together. Or corners can be heated and formed.

 

A glass shop should have thin acrylic or plexiglass. Not sure if both can be formed though.

 

Gary

[Dave77459]

Thank you all, you are giving me some great ideas.

 

If you think white aluminum would work, go to your neighborhood Big Box home center or lumber yard and ask for either aluminum flashing or "trim coil stock". Both come in rolls from 6" wide to 24" wide. Flashing is usually mill finish (ie. silver, natural) aluminum, whereas coil stock is most often painted; usually at least one side is white and brown, gray, clay on other side.

Personally, I didn't like aluminum when I converted a bookbag/backpack into a tank bag, to stiffen the sides. It was too difficult to make it conform to the "tank" cover's curvature and it was TOO rigid (and sharp edged) for my tastes. I used 3/8" white "poly" foam. I salvaged it when it was used as padding/packing for stone caps on pallets. Big sheets (4'x8'x3/8") and easy to cut with utility knife. It is not rigid as in styrofoam, but firmer than cushion/upholstery foam and nearly as flexible. I don't know what the material was, but it turned out to be perfect. I also don't where you can buy it, perhaps Hobby Lobby?

 

Another thought, (though I did not try it) depending on the size of your tank bag: cut a ring from a 5 gal dry wall compound bucket. The ring could be heated to make it the shape of your bag's perimeter and trimmed to height you desire.

 

You introduced something I hadn't considered. The tank curves fore/aft and starboard/larboard. I'll have to mull over the implications of that. And also keep my eyes out for what you are talking about.

 

BTW ... I'm trying real not to comment on the title of your thread...

I'm sure I don't know what you are referring to?

 

Dave

[SaltyDog]

I used a small plastic trash can. Like the type for the bathroom or bedroom. They are made of flexible plastic and are close to the size of most tank bags. They are really inexpensive and are easy to cut. The plastic is already formed into a retangular shape and have rounded corners. I used three sides of a small trash can to stiffen up the front and side walls of a textile (cordura) tankbag by cutting out the bottom at the right height and removing the rolled over top edge.

[Flyinfool]

McMaster-Carr

P/n 8671K68

$1.42 per foot up to 8' long

 

1/8 thick x 4" wide x 4' long white Polyethylene

Polyethylene is the stuff that your cutting board is made of.

 

They have other thicknesses and withes available.

[dacheedah]

I like the idea of tupperware type containers, it's pretty strong stuff. If you heat it a bit you can manipulate it to a shape you like, we did this with big PVc pipe to make scuba tank holders.

 

If it is really stiff you want I would take some little blue ones, I think the blue might be the stiffest plastic or that might be after you play with it to get the shape you want.

 

Remember pictures of your project please

[Yammer Dan]

Wally World storage containers. So many different one you could probally find what you want in size and cut to fit??? Dollar Tree has a pretty good selection even cheaper.

[dacheedah]

Actually I think I had a bag with a flat sheet of plastic inside. The ends were cut and laced through holes about every 1/4 inch apart with a plastic string. Outside was leather.