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Introduction: Recycling a PET Bottle to a 20m Long Thread
Recycling a PET bottle to a 20m long thread.
You can recycling PET bottles, beer cans and similar round shapes objects (junk) to thread.
Basically recycling means: to treat things (junk) so that they can be used again.
Thread is a raw material for production, usually for sewing or making fabric or some similar things.
PET is very strong material. 1.5mm PET thread can hold 5kg at least (I don't know exactly).
A 2l PET bottle can be recycled to 3mm thread 20m long.
Step 1: Material and Tools
PET bottle
Scissors
Drill
25cm copper wire (2.5mm)
Step 2: Remove Top and Bottom
Remove the top and the bottom of the bottle carefully.
There should be a straight edge.
Step 3: Start Cutting
Start cutting.
Be careful, the string should to be continuous.
Follow the edge and cut width you want. (I cut 2-3mm it's hard to be absolutely precise)
Be patient and try to be precise.
Step 4: Creating a Holder (a Coil)
Creating a holder (a coil) using a copper wire 2mm.
Step 5: Coilling
Coilling is very easy if you use a battery drill with speed control.
Fix the initial end of thread between the wire and start coilling.
Move thread left and right along the holder during the process.
Fix the final end of thread with piece of tape.
Step 6: Final Product
The final product is a coil of PET thread cca 20m long.
It is very strong material.
The same method you can use for recycling beer can.
In that case the result is a aluminium wire.
Production of tapes and belts is similar.
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20 Comments
10 years ago on Introduction
Here is a link to some great pictures of the gizmos that cut these very thin strips. I was all ready to order one but they are not allowed to export from Brazil.
Can any of you clever guys figure out how to make one from the pictures and videos on this site?
http://www.utsumi.com.br/pet/English/filetador/index.html
I would love to have a few of these. (I'm a craft teacher in Australia).
12 years ago on Introduction
I followed the lik to the hand tool that you can use for filiment making does anyone have a picture of a real one and a drawing. Can't be that hard to make. I used a gismo similar in concept to trim leather for belt makingback in the 1970's sparkie
12 years ago on Introduction
could be usefule stuff, but it is not string it is ribbon if you build a jig you could flame the edge making it safe. You could slice off a finger using a power drill, so USE GLOVES. I have usedpieces of soda bottle as temp hinges and connecter materials (like the stuf they use in building trades to connect wood set up in a T configuration. nice idea though great instructable
13 years ago on Introduction
Is there some way of automatically cutting the bottle?
Reply 13 years ago on Introduction
YES - look here http://www.designboom.com/contest/view.php?contest_pk=6&item_pk=2729&p=1
Reply 12 years ago on Introduction
That looks great and simple, but I don't see any instructions that explain how it is built. I can't quite seem to wrap my mind around it. Are there instructions for it somewhere?
Reply 13 years ago on Introduction
You could do it with a lathe. Mount the can in the chuck, box cutter knife in the toolpost, set the machine for a low speed and a thread cutting pitch of whatever you like.
12 years ago on Introduction
the following, link exchanges pet bottle
http://artesasdalinhaentrerios.blogspot.com/
contact: tomio_kito@yahoo.com.br
12 years ago on Introduction
facility for recycling
link
http://www.anunciegratis.com/anuncio-cortador-filetador-garrafa-pet--88481.html
12 years ago on Introduction
manufacture threaded to cut strips bottle following link
email- tomio_kito@yahoo.com.br
13 years ago on Introduction
I think I would just heat up the bottle and pull it through a small hole in a block of wood.
13 years ago on Introduction
Good instructable :)....but for that aluminum cable? I think it would cut your fingers :S... because of the sharp edge that is left after the scissor cut... have you tried it already?
Reply 13 years ago on Introduction
You can twist several threads together, similar to making tough rope, and get a strong aluminum cord out of the deal - the twisting process tends to tuck in the sharp edges (you have to go slow to prevent snaps though). If there are any sharp segments left afterward, take a heavy leather glove and some rough sandpaper and run it up and down the cord a few times. Soda cans make great binding wire.
Reply 13 years ago on Introduction
aluminum?
Reply 13 years ago on Introduction
Aluminium = UK English
Aluminum = USA English
Hope that helps
Reply 13 years ago on Introduction
Not really. The confusion comes from not having read step 6.
13 years ago on Introduction
amazing
Reply 13 years ago on Introduction
you could connect more than one bottle by melting the two tips of the wire together
13 years ago on Introduction
hi thanks a lot
can I ask you, what will you do with it ?
it's interesting but ... what's the need
the thread seems too big and square :s
someone have a plan for making this one ? >>>
http://www.designboom.com/contest/view.php?contest_pk=6&item_pk=2729&p=1
Reply 13 years ago on Introduction
Well, I'm not sure what the author intended - but I know there are people working on using PET as feedstock for a Reprap-style 3-D printer. Generating PET filament is crucial to that task.