Plastic Gumball Containers

[Ron Caudillo]

I am on a never-ending quest to find sources of readilly available clear plastic domes that can be used for building models.

I have been collecting the various size plastic gumball containers that I run across and have 4 different types so far. My wife thinks I'm a bit odd because on the way out of stores I always go over to the machines and see if there are any new types (I tell her the contents are for her!). Of the 4 types that I have, I have seen many configurations of these 4 types; some have both parts cast in clear but most have only one of the halves cast in clear. On a few of them, neither of them are clear.

What I have done is to measure up these various types of containers and post a PDF document that will give you an idea of their sizes so you can see if you can use them in your builds/designs. If I can scale a design to one of these, I will, because that will make it easier for you to build them.

Print this out with no resizing/scaling. The box surrounding them should measure 4 x 8 inches.

Hope it helps!

Best Regards,

[Ron0909]

Ron,
This at first struck me as different but I thought about it for a second and said this could really be something (I'm thinking gun turrets etc). The drawing is excellent and will help a great deal. How thick is the plastic generally? I don't mean exactly but is it thin enough that heat would easily deform it if needed for shaping etc?
Thank you again Ron

Ron

[peter taft]

i'm always looking at various household bits 'n' pieces to aid in my model builds, and sometimes i get lucky. Ron, even if the domes weren't used as is... they make great moulds fot casting paper domes {papiermache}. a pretty versatile form and good idea my friend

[Ron Caudillo]

Originally Posted by Ron0909

Ron,
This at first struck me as different but I thought about it for a second and said this could really be something (I'm thinking gun turrets etc). The drawing is excellent and will help a great deal. How thick is the plastic generally? I don't mean exactly but is it thin enough that heat would easily deform it if needed for shaping etc?
Thank you again Ron

Ron

Hi Ron,
(Why does it seem like I'm talking to myself?)

I'm glad you guys are coming up with new ideas! I hadn't thought of using them for casting! The drawings are full size, but I had to approximate the actual thickness of the plastic. I estimated that the open edge was close enough for thickness but made all other measurements with calipers for better accuracy. Short of cutting some of these in half, I don't have the exact thickness of the material.

For heating and distorting, all I can say is to experiment (haven't thought of doing this myself). I was fortunate enough to find quite a few of these discarded around the machines and didn't have to use any of my coins.

I was wondering if any of you found some other shapes and sizes? Especially from our friends overseas? My job has me traveling around the world and I would be interested in trying to find some other sizes.

Best Regards,

[rickstef]

Originally Posted by Ron Caudillo

Hi Ron,
(Why does it seem like I'm talking to myself?)

How do you think I feel with all these Ricks around

[ct ertz]

Wow, something useful with these plastic things. When I was in high school, some one would mix warm vinegar, a small nut, and a little wax in one end. When the vinegar cooled a thin wax layer would harden on the surface sealing the liquid. The small end would contain backing soda. Then the same character would simply shake the thing smartly until the nut would break the layer of way, the vinegar and baking soda would mix, and in a couple of minute the thing would burst making a small pop sound, a big mess, and an gross smell. Not that I would ever do such a thing but some one who shall remain nameless did...

These ideas seem to be a much better use of the little plastic containers.

[shawnr5]

ct, never tried that. When I was in Jr High, we would melt a crayon into several small puddles, sprinkle on some sulfur and then add a little more melted crayon. Then, we would remove the cooled 'stink bomb' and place them in the overhead projector by the bulb. The bulb would melt the wax and get the sulfur stinking and then the fan would circulate the odor quickly and thoroughly. Our Algebra II teacher, Mrs. Teichmann, wasn't very impressed with our creativity. Come to think of it, neither were our parents.

[Ron Caudillo]

Originally Posted by rickstef

How do you think I feel with all these Ricks around

Yeah well Rick, maybe we should put a cap on those joining with my name because I generally find that not many poeple can tolerate "more Rons" :D

No offense, Ron!

Best Regards,

[member_3]

To which Ron were you referring, Ron? I think mo' Rons are a great idea so no offense taken here!