In response to a request from a customer, I’ve started selling pairs of wooden heat sealing forms in the DIY Packraft shop. These tools aren’t required for making a packraft, but they do make joining the tubes together a bit easier compared to draping the fabric over an overturned bowl (see the Heat Sealing page for details about how this works).
The pair of forms weighs over 600 grams (well over a pound), so adding them to an order may increase the shipping cost, especially if you’re overseas.
Note that the forms pictured above are made from dimensional lumber, but the forms I make now are MDF (medium density fiberboard) and are very close to the same width as the packraft’s seam strips.
If you have any questions, please leave a comment below. Thanks!
4 Comments
Jeremy Kerbs · August 25, 2024 at 11:14 am
Does anyone know where i can find some dimensions to make my own set?
Matt (Admin) · August 25, 2024 at 12:16 pm
The exact dimensions aren’t critical, but it helps if the radius of the form is about the same as the curve you’re working on (or a bit less), so for the DIY Packraft tubes the radius should be about 5 1/2″, and the width of the form should be about the same as the width of the seam strip (30 mm in the case of the DIY Packrafts). There are some other tips posted on this page (scroll down): https://www.diypackraft.com/proper-heat-sealing-technique/
JYP · April 14, 2023 at 8:15 am
Seems like a large round log of firewood might have a similar radius. Could that work instead?
Matt (Admin) · April 15, 2023 at 8:06 am
If you cut off a thin slice and sand the edge smooth then yes, but if it’s too long it will not work in corners and if it’s not smooth then you won’t get even pressure under the iron… I think a scrap of lumber would be easier to make serviceable.