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I haven’t tried it myself, but can’t think of any reason it wouldn’t work for a small volume inflatable.

Hi Veets, I’m not sure of the failure pressure of the materials, but it would probably depend on how you design the seams and would take some experimentation to get right. They can be made rigid, but I’ve never made anything as small as 1″ thick.

Note that cargo holds on most airliners are pressurized, but some smaller regional aircraft have rear…[Read more]

Would this kind of inflatable be good for making reusable cushions for packing?  Consider the idea that you want to put something breakable in airport baggage handling, without using a heavy-duty suitcase.  Could I make several inflatable panels (like packraft floors and seats, having baffles) and use them to cushion an item packed in a r…[Read more]

Any reason a bicycle innertube valve couldn’t be used?  I’m contemplating a non-raft inflatable, and a bike valve would be handy.

This is outstanding, Bruce! I never thought to file the iron to the shape I want.  If it’s alright with you, I’d like to post this under the How-To menu (with full credit to you) so it won’t get buried in the forum over time. Thanks for posting!

Modify your Model Aircraft Iron for optimum performance building a packraft.

Model Aircraft irons generate heat fast. They have the strength to press firmly on the melted TPU and seal a seam. I got mine at a great price. (https://www.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXB357&P=0). But the shape leaves much to be desired.

The bottom is too…[Read more]

In further response to Clemens:
Here is a photo of the filed area on my second Chinese “adjustable Leather Iron” (made by Jingda Thermoelectric Products). The area filed is best illustrated before I smooth and polish it with sand paper and steel wool. Please note the blue tape over the cooling vents to prevent aluminum filings from contaminating…[Read more]

Hi there!! I am very excited about this. I want to make a trunk bag for my bike. Also very interested in the ultralight packraft. I have a sealing iron for monocoat RC airplane covering that looks like it will be perfect for this.

Thanks Bruce.
To my mind this is absolutely the right tool for any fabric that’s not UL, but it needs time to learn how to use it to the best advantage. I also have a little 700watt ‘solder re-work station’ thing which I tried once. Both temp and air-flow are easily controlled, but the thing is just a wimp, like using a candle when you need a…[Read more]

To further answer Sean’s question about the temperature rating of the Aliexpress Adjustible leather iron. I measured the temperature, using a Coverite analog thermometer and a ThermaPro digital oven thermometer. Power source is 120v US electrical power.

Iron dial setting     Coverite Temp      ThermaPro

300 C                       192 C       …[Read more]

My first tandem, V3, on the Chena River, Fairbanks, Alaska. It was hard to keep the air pressure up ’cause I didn’t have a top-up valve installed. And the water was a lot colder than the air! As such, you can see some wrinkles when I move forward in the raft. Obviously, if one makes an even longer tandem, which is easy to do with the parallel…[Read more]

Lyn,
Thank you for a fantastic report and illustrations for using the inexpensive hot air gun. I greatly appreciate the 1600W is better than 1000W discussion. I tried my Milwaukee heat gun and while I can say it works, there is very little control. No temperature control at all other than distance to the work surface and speed of transit. Plus it…[Read more]

Hi Matt,

I’ll get some pictures and documentation together for you regarding the outfitting, hopefully this week.

Hi Clemens,

The rod that forms the coaming is currently a single piece of 3/8″ OD, 1/4″ ID Polyethylene (PEX) tubing. This is available at most hardware stores in North America for installation in household plumbing as an alternative to copper or CPVC.

There is a short section of 1/4″ aluminum tube inserted as a joining piece.

I believe this…[Read more]

It does look awesome – good job!

I’d also be really interested in the materials you used for the “rods” (I hope that’s the correct term) of the sprayskirt.

This is awesome!

If you have more pictures and details about your outfitting, I’d love to do a blog post about it because lots of people will be interested in the thigh straps and back band.

Great work, and thanks for posting!