Sealing shrink wrap?

MonkeyFaces

Senior member
Aug 4, 2006
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I have a crafts project due (I needed an elective easy enough to give the sufficient college credits to graduate) and I have no idea how to properly seal shrink wrap. Since a sealer is way too expensive just for a single occasion application, what's the best way to emulate how a sealer works?
 

Rubycon

Madame President
Aug 10, 2005
17,768
485
126
A hot knife and heat gun will work. The tricky part is cutting off the end with the hot knife. A piece of nichrome wire connected across the terminals (carefully!) of a SLA battery will work too.
 

MonkeyFaces

Senior member
Aug 4, 2006
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What's the technique to sealing open edges with a hot knife? I already tried tape and glue, but the hair dryer I used was melting the adhesive off of both.
 

RaiderJ

Diamond Member
Apr 29, 2001
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I read the title as STEALING shrink wrap :D

I used a hair dryer and double sided tape for sealing.
 

MonkeyFaces

Senior member
Aug 4, 2006
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Thanks for the offer, but it's due soon and I can't bother to wait for shipping. How does the sealer work? Does it melt the plastic together?
 

Howard

Lifer
Oct 14, 1999
47,982
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Yes, a heated wire is applied on top of two layers of film, which then melt together. A Teflon-coated/impregnated tape, usually fiberglass-reinforced, goes underneath the wire and plastic.
 

MonkeyFaces

Senior member
Aug 4, 2006
200
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I've had no luck sealing it with the heat of a soldering iron since it burns holes right through the plastic. Does anyone know if Michaels, kinkos, or home depot have shrink wrapping services or seal plastic? If yes, will their hardware accommodate a basket about as large 4 xbox consoles stacked vertically?