Introduction: Make New Tools From Shapelock / Friendly Plastic

You can construct new/replacement/prototypes replacement tools from Friendly Plastic.
See www.creatrope.com for a variety of other tools, prototypes, sources and recommendations using this interesting plastic is available at:

friendly plastic shapelock tools

Step 1: Friendly Plastic Introduction

Friendly plastic, also known as Shapelock plastic, is a plastic that becomes soft and malleable at about 160 degree F, and then hardens back into a opaque plastic when cooled. It has a lot of applications.

I've used it here to make a duplicate for a hard-to-find plastic wrench from a child's construction toy that is no longer easily available.

Step 2: Visualize the Shape & Mass of the Tool You Want to Build

This is the original tool. I had located an original by the time I made this Instructable, so I am able to show you how the original wrench looks and works. At the time I made the tool, I had to make the tool from memory (which wasn't very difficult in this case).

This toy has a variety of colored connector tubes and white tubes of various length.

This blue connector 'locks' into the white tube. The gray knobs in the blue connector stick out into holes in the white tube. The gray wrench has two little nubs that stick into the holes and push the gray knobs in so that the white tube can be removed. Without one of the gray wrenches the lock fit is very snug and hard to unlock or manipulate because the gray knobs are separated 180 degrees on opposite sides of the tubes.

My goal is to make a work-a-like for the gray wrench. The cosmetics are not important.

In order to measure out the Friendly plastic pellets, you need to a have a rough idea of the mass of what you're building. No problem if you overestimate a bit as it is completely reusable.

Step 3: Measure Pellets and Heat

We're going to make a 'duplicate' of the wrench from the previous step.

In a container that will never be used for food, melt an appropriate amount of pellets. When the temperature reaches about 160 degree F, the pellets will become clear and moldable.

When the pellets are clear, use a stick to gather the melted pellets into a blob and remove carefully.

Step 4: Form the Tool

Take the blob of clear plastics (careful, it's hot!) and form it into a replacement tool.

Reinforce the areas that might have extra strain on them with extra plastic.

Since the plastic is reusable, don't worry about using too much.

Once it's in position set it aside carefully and don't touch it.

Step 5: Let Cool, Test Fit, and Use!

Let it cool thoroughly (if you try to use the tool too soon, it will lose its shape).

Compare to original tool if you have it, try a test fit, and use!

My handmade wrench is not terribly attractive, but works well and required just a small portion of the friendly plastic.

For more detailed instructions and a variety of other similar projects (including custom battery holder, and tamper-resistent outlet cover, and some ideas on how to acquire this plastic) see:

friendly plastic shapelock tools

Note: this plastic is heat-sensitive, so don't use it on things that may get too 'warm'.

No MSDS (materials safety data sheet) is available that I am aware of so don't use for anything related to food or that might be accidentally ingested (good advice in general for hobbyists!)