Precious Plastic logo 055430a248b9ba00e707fe17d3787f9c12c58736
Precious Plastic
icon
Lampshade from Recycled Bottle Caps

Lampshade from Recycled Bottle Caps

mortier
mortier
Updated 10moUpdated 11 months ago
Products
We will show you how to bend a recycled plastic sheet from the sheet press without heat or mold. This technique is inspired by a woodworking technique called ‘kerfing’. Kerfing is a wood bending method done without water or steam.
< 1 day
Medium
HDPE
link-target-blank
Download files
34 downloads
project cover image

More Information
icon
1869
icon
5
icon
1
icon
7

1

Prepare all the materials and tools

Here’s what you need: - The HDPE plastic board that you’re going to bend: - 30 cm x 10,5 cm, 5 mm (thickness)
 - ⌀9,5 cm, 5 mm (thickness) 
 - A portable sanding machine
 - A soldering iron
 - A table saw - Rope

Loading...
Step 1 Gallery image 1

2

Score the plastic

First, we’re using the table saw to score the plastic. Cut 3 mm in depth while keeping a 5 mm distance between each cut. Make sure you’re scoring the board perpendicular to the direction of the bend.
Loading...
Step 2 Gallery image 1

3

Thin out the end sides of the plastic board

Thin out the end sides of the plastic board using a portable sanding machine so that the sides will fit better in the next step.
Loading...
Step 3 Gallery image 1

4

Bend it

Now bend it carefully! Use a rope to tighten it in place.
Loading...
Step 4 Gallery image 1
Loading...
Step 4 Gallery image 1
Loading...
Step 4 Gallery image 2

5

Weld the end pieces of plastic

With the help of a soldering iron, weld the end pieces of plastic together. Make sure you do it well.
Loading...
Step 5 Gallery image 1
Loading...
Step 5 Gallery image 1
Loading...
Step 5 Gallery image 2

6

Smooth out the welded part

Now back to the sanding machine again. Smooth out the welded part to get that nice and evenly joint.
Loading...
Step 6 Gallery image 1

7

Done!

And voilà! Your beautiful, eco-friendly lampshade is done.
Loading...
Step 7 Gallery image 1
icon
Precious Plastic is a project by One Army.Please sponsor the work or help us build the software.