As heavy as a rock!

[rein]

The problem is that the rocks won’t be the right shape. Here comes some more Q's...If a concrete or perhaps brick shape was dipped in this PVC Plastisol material would the plastic prevent it from breaking or chipping if dropped? What determines the thickness of the coating? Is it the number of times dipped? Do you think that an eighth to quarter inch coating could endure the chewing a bored horse could give it?

Would it be best to have the FDA sanctioned PVC Plastisol (of course I don’t actually know what that is) since the horse will chew on it? Would other plastics be potentially toxic if chewed?

Going back an idea, the filled container would be problematic as the cap would give the horse a place to grab & bite (I need totally smooth & no rough edges) and anything but water inside most likely would be a lawsuit waiting to happen.
~Thanks again!

[rein]

I guess I should have said that any fill that is small enough for a horse to get in his mouth & swallow would be a liability issue.

[Louis]

Skip, As I sat here opening the twelve new post this AM, each in their own tab, my mind started thinking about the first one as I waited for them to load - "Heavy as a Rock". Oddly enough the same thought came into my mind. Why not get unique rocks with unique shapes from around the country and coat them. What a selling feature that might turn out to be.

[Skip]

Louis, you have a neat idea-----there are round "geodes" that would work. Also old canon balls?

To get a thick Plastisol coating, I think multiple dips ( dip-gel-dip-gel----then final fusion) would work. Gel is partially fused---perhaps at a 300-320 oven, while fully fused would take a 380-400 oven---say for 5-10 min.

[PDF]

Rein, is this product currently made from another material or is this a unique part?

If it's unique, you need to make a prototype out of something simple to work with, and see where it really gets abused. We can go round and round forever, and find out a new requirement is needed after you've had it out a prototype out for a couple weeks.

Has anyone suggested wood yet? Depending on the design, it might well be the simplest prototype material. It's not especially hard or dense, but it will have the toughness that you need. Its available everywhere and easy to work with.

Does plasticol hold up in an outdoor environment? Speaking of which, UV resistance should probably be an important part of your design if the part is always left outside.

[Blaken]

The idea of the consumer filling the item with water, would be a great idea, but most likely wouldn’t work at this small size -right?

Regards

Blaken
Surendettement

[Len]

Check out Plastics News Nov. 9, 2009 page 9. Blow molded bricks serve daul purpose.

These blow molded "water brick" containers are filled w/ sand after they serve as water vessels. They then weigh about 48 pounds and can be stacked, interlocked, and assembled into walls etc.

Len