Making mylar parachutes

[Pat Butler]

I've bought some mylar and want to make my own parachutes. I can think of a number of different ways to design and cut them. Would it be best to use a full size template (like Masonite hardboard) to cut them out, or would it be easier to fold the mylar so that I only have to make a few slices with the exacto knife? I can see where folding the mylar might not work so well because it can be slippery. Any ideas on the best way to do this? thanks!

Pat

 

[powderburner]

It's only a parachute. Pick up the mylar sheet by grabbing a tiny pinch, pull the sheet down to form an even spike, and chop off the bottom to rough-cut your basic circle. Unfold and trim the edges to 'round' them nice and pretty. Done.

Yes, you could use a template to lay on the mylar. I just don't happen to like keeping up with stuff like templates. It's only a parachute.

 

[stealdesk]

I use posterboard octagon templates 9, 12, 18 inch to cut out use a razor blade#11 and for shroud line I reinforce with stick on plastic. It is from page reinforcement for a 3 ring binder. For the chutes and streamers I use the left over gift wrap from christmas

 

[cls]

I made a set of hexagonal templates out of pressboard, 12", 18", 24", copied from Estes chutes I think. we make parachutes quickly and easily out of mylar (space blankets, heavier mylar is for streamers), dry cleaner bags, Disneyland & Legoland plastic bags, Target bags - whatever has a design we like.

 

[rbeckey]

When I punch holes I first place a solid reinforcement sticker (kind of like a 3/8 inch colored dot) then use a small hole punch to punch through the sticker and chute material. I then put a clear notebook paper reinforcement on each side of the chute around the puched hole.

 

[Micromeister]

I made Sho-Card (Heavy 14ply cardboard) 12 point templated for 3" to 28". 28" is the width of the Sho-Card, and 1/4" masonite 12 point templates for 30" to 48", and a 4 x 4 table top cover of 1/2" plywood to cut the on
Over the years I think i've tried just about every cutting edge I've came across, but tend to revert back to a sharpened and stropped #11 X-acto for most of the 3" to 36" 1/4mil mylar chutes. half mil and plastic sheet it's a little easier on larger diameter chutes with a rotary fabric cutter with great CARE. Much care is needed if your trying to use a rotary blade with cardstock templetes, that super sharp blade will cut the template like butter with a hot knife Rotary's work best with either 1/8" or 1/4" tampered massonite templates.
For storing my templates they hang nested on a coathanger fashioned hook in the rafters against the back wall in the shop, out of the way but instantly accessable.

These 12 point templates were designed for competition chutes using 6 kevlar thread shroud lines, but easily convert to standard 6 point Sport chutes by skipping every other point. made it simpler than two sets of templates. 12 shrouds give a nearly hemispheric inflated profile which helps dampen the side to side spill swing during decent.


Powder if it's only a parasheet, why don't ya just use the lower half of a lightweight, thin plastic shoppping bag? My nephew (13 at the time) shares your thoughts on chutes, he hasn't made a parasheet since his second model 5 or 6 year ago He really likes CVS bags. the smaller ones about 12" wide. He chops off about 2/3rds of the open end keeping the sealed bottom and attaches 6 shrouds at "about" equal spacing. A little babypowder and he's good to go Seems to work fine for all his BT-50 and up size sport models.

 

[prowlerguy]

I just cut a square of mylar in the desired size. I then fold it diagonally, then fold the left side to the right side. For an 8-sided chute, I repeat that fold three time, then cut the excess from the bottom with scissors(try it w/ a piece of paper, you'll see what I mean). I then use hole re-inforcers, mylar thread, and a snap swivel to complete the chute.

 

[flying_silverad]

Here are some tips for great mylar chutes....

-All of my chute patterns are made of 1/4" foam board. It's cheap and very easy to cut. It's also lasts forever!

-Get a fiskars cutting matt...the largest you can find. Preferably at the local Walmart craft section.

-Buy a fiskars cutting wheel and a long steel ruler

-Using Black magic marker, draw lines and using a steel ruler, use circular cutter and start cutting up that pizza....I mean parachute.

-In each corner of the chute, stick an avery clear re-enforcement on each side (you can find these in Office Depot or Staples)

-Using a paper puch, puch a hole through the two re-enforcements.

-Tie some nice kevlar lines and go launchin!

 

[Rocket-Tech Al]

Originally posted by Micromeister

Powder if it's only a parasheet, why don't ya just use the lower half of a lightweight, thin plastic shoppping bag?

DOH!!


(Slaps forehead)


Why didn't I think of that??


Al

 

[Pat Butler]

Lots of good ideas. I've been building all sorts of jigs lately, might as well start cutting out some parachute templates too. thanks to everyone.

Pat