Forum Replies Created
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Valves
Boston valves: I searched around to see if I could find a cheaper Boston Valve, no luck in New Zealand, all I managed to find were replacement inserts, not the flanged valve itself. I ended up buying from Aliexpress for $6 USD a piece with free shipping. They seem to be good quality, I ordered three and they all came as yellow ones.
Top Off/seat Valves: Once again my search had limited success, I found spare valves for NRS kayak buoyancy bags for $1.49 NZD a piece which fit onto I think 8mm clear PVC tubing but finding a flanged fitting to attach it to the raft has proved difficult. I then realised that inflatable lifejackets have a very similar valve that can be cut out and repurposed. Life jacket service agents might give you these for free (I got four from RFD/Survivortec), if they come with the lifejackets then there may be other useful fittings (buckles, D-rings and clips) as well.
Inflatable mattresses (e.g. that holey Thermarest in the back of the cupboard) also have valves that may be useful.
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STEER CLEAR OF EXTREME TEXTIL (http://www.extremtextil.de)
Due to Matt running out material and me being super keen to get a packraft together before easter (two weeks away) I ordered from Extreme Textil. I ordered 210d TPU coated one side 275g/sqm, heat sealable (product #71100) in orange and blue, I also ordered 70d TPU, coated one side 170g/sqm, heat sealable (product #71106). I was quite pleased to receive the package and went about marking and cutting the pattern. At this point I became concerned that the fabric was too easy to cut, particularly the 70d, it also rips surprisingly easily. The non-TPU side is an oxford weave with no coating.
After cutting and marking I have done some trials to learn how to seal the fabric. The 210d fabric seals reasonably easily, although it is easier to pull apart than I expected. The 70d fabric does not make a seal, I’ve tried everything and it appears that the melting point of the TPU is higher than the melting point of the fabric. I have experimented with both temperature and pressure and cannot get a seal to form at all. Attempting to seal the 210d to the 70d resulted in the TPU on the 210d sticking weakly to the 70d TPU.
Looks like I’m not going to have a boat for my Easter packrafting trip. I’ve also wasted quite a lot of money and time with the wrong fabric. Really disappointed. I’ve written back to Extreme Textil asking for a refund, I’ll update on their customer service if and when I can sort something out with them.
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