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Sydney, Aus – Precious Plastic Workspace
- This topic has 55 replies, 23 voices, and was last updated 1 year ago by
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Are there any machine builders in the Sydney area that want to collaborate on getting some PP tools up and running? I’m addicted to recycling and have been spending all my spare time delving deeper into sorting this garbage out (so to speak). I have recently scrapped outdoor wicker furniture and have piles of black, white and brown HDPE wire like strands. I have also been collecting other waste streams consisting of childrens toys and general consumer packaging. I am currently breaking the plastics down with powertools, blades, pliers, hammers and scissors (my hands sure can use a break) as I am not adequately tooled up or skilled to make the necessary machines.
I am hoping to get some machines up and running so that we can take a generous bite out of these 300 MILLION METRIC TONS OF PLASTIC that are estimated to be produced each year.
I’m also keen to network with others that may not be technically inclined to make these machines but want to offer some manpower to the greater good of the Earth. I’m happily available to talk out some new collaborative ideas, take leisurely strolls through polluted communities and parks to pick up litter that may be headed to the ocean, experiment with plastics to better understand the value and risks with this material or even offer up my plastic collection to manually breakdown together until a machine builder comes along (beware: blisters may occur).
I’ve just scored a decent benchtop toaster oven off of Gumtree and will be melting and forming plastics in the near future (pictures coming soon).
Also, huge thanks to Dave Hakkens + Team and the Precious Plastics Community who have contributed to this amazing tool, empowering others to help make a difference <3
Heya Everyone!
I’m in North Sydney and I’ve been gifted some parts from Macquarie University to build the Shredder and Extruder. I also have a filament winder to pair with the extruder and make 3D printing filament. Additionally, I’ve got a 3d printer and 3D scanner ready to go.
Super open to collaborating in finishing the machine builds and then sharing their use. I’ve got a lot of space and a cool retro workshop in St Ives. Please hit me up at 0451094602 or see you this Sunday 31st of March at our meet and greet in Manly!
Excited to get to know y’all
Diego
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I’ll be in Manly on the 31st too 🙂 my # is 0451094602. looking forward to meeting you all <3
Hi Guys,
I’ve seen some posts of people struggling to find some material sizes for the machines here in Australia. Particularly the 27mm shredder hex shaft is not supplied locally in that size (as many have already stated).
The closest size I could find is 28.575mm (1-1/8inch) (see links below). One solution would be to modify the drawings of the laser cut files and make the parts fit the available hex bar.
If anyone’s interested in this let me know and I can modify the .dxf files and send them through.
Cheers
Jon
A couple of Material supplier links below. I recommend EDCON Steel as you can get instant pricing online including cuts to desired length.
https://www.edconsteel.com.au/buy-steel/free-machining-steel/hex/free-machining-steel-0
https://handysteel.com.au/bright-hex-s1214?p=3#product
<3 Hey all! <3
I found a 26.98mm hex bar at brookvale edcon steel that’s worked beautifully for me, I recommend it.
I’ve also got all the parts for the shredder, extruder, and a filament winder; but could use some extra hands to get it finished. I’m in St Ives, if anyone out there’s interested in lending a hand, they’d be welcome to use them and a 3d printer and scanner that are ready to go.
I’ve got a huge backyard and a lot of bamboo, so there’s no reason this couldn’t become a makerspace if needed. At the moment there’s a lovely workshop and a big garage and a resident wallabie.
<3 please write me if you’d like to get involved, at 0451094602 <3
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Thanks @oceanplastic for the tip. Awesome workshop by the way, looks like a great space.
@pporg I guess you can find the 27mm if you look in the right place :). but it’s not listed under the standard sizes and some suppliers don’t carry it.
Cheers
Jon
Looking forward to the gathering tomorrow.
When: 12pm
Where: Manly – Main Beach at the end of The Corso
@quin will be bringing a BBQ for anyone wanting to bring something to throw on the grill.
I aim to be in the area around 10am to join @mak383 with the Manly Beach Cleanup
https://www.facebook.com/events/427673461373541/
If anyone is looking for a 27mm axle, We have an offcut (400mm) that we bought from edcon steel, the actual size is 26.98 but we think that’s within tolerance for these machines ;). if you want to buy it, we are in Redfern and will put up in the bazar also. It’s Stainless steel 316 so should last a while 🙂 happy building
The photo shows our extra long turned bar and the off cut
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@mak383 and myself are running late with the Manly Beach clean. Aiming to be at the PP meetup around 1pm.
Hi all,
we’ve been standing here for about 15 mins, unfortunately v busy and haven’t been able to find anyone yet, we’ll now head to the playground between the surf school and the corso in case anyone wants to join and start setting up the BBQ. We’re two adults, two kids, 8yo girl and 5yo boy.
cheers Wes & Quin
Hi everyone,
Is there any chance that someone could take a google maps screenshot of where you are.
I had a little walk down the beach but I must of missed you.
Thanks 🙂
Ahh I think I must have walked right past you! I’m wearing black and white leggings. Shout if you see me walk past
Hello everyone.
Shame I missed the catchup recently. I’m a sustainable built environment post grad student at UNSW. I’m currently pitching to the Michael Crouch Innovation Centre to implement a Precious Plastics model on campus. No idea where it will go but I see there are few of you also at UNSW. Would anyone like to meet up to chat? Typically there evenings on Wednesday but any evening works.
Hi everyone,
Me and my mate Liam have been tinkering with getting some of the precious plastics machines set-up.
We are in a workshop space over in Marrickville, and at the moment we’re using 2 machines, a “Granulator” and an injection mold machine together with 3D printed molds.
We are mainly designing small functional objects with the idea they have a long life and be extremely reusable. We’re making heaps of prototypes with different plastics we’re collecting from the community … we’re also happy to help with any ideas you want to design and mold.
Right now we’re looking to connect with the community and hear about what everyone is up to.
@quin great to know you’ve made 4 machines! Would love to get any tips from you on the process you went through. If you are free one day for a coffee that would be great. I’m around UNSW a few days a week so that works.
@hamsolo I’m in Randwick often, would be good to catch up for coffee and chat. I’m interested to know what’s going on at the Michael Crouch Innovation Centre you mentioned.
Cheers
* sorry if this message appears multiples times … this message board is very buggy
@omroxas , I think there would be a lot of interest in your approach for using 3D printed molds with the injection machine. If you don’t mind making a separate topic on this, I would be very interested. It might even pull me out of the 20th century and dive into the 3D print universe.
Thanks
@omroxas @s2019
I absolutely agree!
3D printed molds would solve a lot of problems, if only the ‘why do I have a 3d-printer‘ conundrum? 🙂
@hamsolo I’m an undergrad in the Materials Building just above you guys and once upon a time investigated doing such a project with them. While I’m in my honours year and may be a little ghosty, I’d love to see what can be done since I’m in the area ofthen
Hi @omroxas, welcome!
Wes and I would be happy to catch up – email me some slots when you’d be free to [email protected].
Dont think we’ve shredded acrylic yet. But we could always give it a go!
cheers
Quin
Hey all 🙂
i’m from Melbourne and i’m willing to give a helping hand out to anyone thats needing it, i’m not as handy as may be since i’m still in my schooling years but i can help out as much as a can.
It great to see that Australian people are tackling this problem with passion because its a big problem that we’re all going to face in the coming years.
🙂
~SEBA
Hi Guys
I live in the Blue mountains and have built a shredder suitable for plastic bottle caps or other small plastic items (limited by the motor/gearbox power) and it is mounted on a frame. I would be keen to donate it to a group/person who could use it. Unfortunately I cannot transport it at present (no tow bar or ute) so it would have to be picked up from Wentworth Falls.
It is a single phase motor with gearbox (from an old guillotine) and the Dave Hakkens stainless steel shredder. It runs well, however an electrician should check it out.
Tim Harvey 0484 685 686
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Hi @venator2008 Looks like a great shredder. I’m sure one of us in this forum would be interested in having it. Thanks for sharing
Cheers
Jon
Just signed up to learn more.
Not technical person so keen to see who could build this for us !
Hi, my name is Nicole i am from Argentina. Currently located in Bondi Beach. I am a filmmaker and an enviromental activist. I am making research and collection of microplastic in the beach of Bondi. It´s crazy i thought i would find an Australia free plastic, but i found all the opposite. I am cleaning little by little but i am finding lots of pieces of plastic in the sand. I have experience in handling garbage collection, cleaning campaigns, separation of materials, audiovisual record and graphic design. Looking foward to meet people to get organised and start doing something. Text me 0420244518
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Hi everyone, well now we´ll be 3d printing in PET from Sydney, Australia.
If anyone wants to collaborate and help this horrendous problem with recycling in Sydney, please reach out 🙂
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