DIY Plastic Parachutes
 

I like to make my own parachutes for scratch builds. But just cutting out a flat piece of plastic is easy but makes a boring parachute.

So playing around with the seal function on a vacuum food saver, I was able to make this.

It still folds up and deploys easy. It looks stronger along the seams. Color and shape possibilities are endless. And Other than time, I cant see a down side to making and using them.

Anyone interested in seeing how I did it?

Absolutely!

Definitely. That's a cool chute. :cool:

Yes!

Please and thank you.

Diy Parachute.
 

Thanks for the positive responses.

That parachute was made with one of the red flags from Lowe's and the only thing I could find to match its thickness and feel was an insert from a shoe box I had. Small kitchen trash bag may have worked as well but all I have are the flex kind.

Please don't do this if you still use your food saver for sealing food. I'm not sure it will hurt anything but melting non food grade plastic is not advisable and probably voids any warranty. And there is always the chance the plastic could stick and become a permanent addition.

So starting off there are two patterns I have made, 10 inch and 12 inch.
Print the one you want and glue to heavy card stock like a cereal box and cut out.

Optional, cut the top 1/2 inch or so off a pad off post-it notes. Glue these strips to the bottom of the pattern sticky side out. It will hold the plastic sheet while you cut.
When not using cover with scrap material.

Next find plastic bags that are the colors you would like to use. Make sure they are similar in thickness and feel (soft versus stiff and crinkly).

Cut 6 triangles using the pattern. Arrange them on a table to see what they look like before you start sealing them together.

The flat corner on the pieces goes to the middle. The pattern has a 1/4 inch margin on the sides. Try not to have print in the margin, the ink can stop the plastic from sealing. Ink can usually be removed with rubbing alcohol.

This step involves the sealing strip on the food saver. Refer to post 7

Take two pieces and place them one on top of the other. Tops facing each other, place a side on the sealing strip and close the lid to and press seal.
Check to make sure you have a good seal, add the next piece on a side (tops together) and repeat sealing. Do this till all pieces are sealed together.

Next trim the ends of the 6 seams back to hide under the parachute.
Add reinforcement rings at the corners and string.

If the intersection in the middle doesn't quite line up or got messed up just cut a spill hole.

The yellow parachute I did by making the two halves (3 pieces each) and then joined the halves together. That may work a little easier than trying to seal in the last piece.

So this is barely a proof of concept. All suggestions and info are wanted and welcomed.
Thanks for reading and save the cool and colorful shopping bags this holiday season.