tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12341981786645482242024-03-08T13:54:40.233-05:00Project rRaftrecycledRaftrecycledRafthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08674867955128153707noreply@blogger.comBlogger12125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1234198178664548224.post-33233384893627742492009-01-28T15:14:00.005-05:002009-01-30T19:22:10.802-05:00Finished!Well I've finally finished and tested the raft! Everything was a great success, and you can see more pictures and how it was done at <a href="http://www.instructables.com/id/Project_rRaft_Building_a_Raft_out_of_Water_Bottl/">Instructables</a>.<br /><br />The instructable is entered into a contest for recycling bottles. If you'd like to register at instructables.com and vote for me, I'd really appreciate it!<br /><br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dw6OkE7IgOKPzzK_JKKDZsa67VUIxDYRJdI2mbmGSvmgYmvhEnGzPR6U4hd-g3dB_QQ_F1KE8Fb4obeK_peVQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe>recycledRafthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08674867955128153707noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1234198178664548224.post-37049359257729341012009-01-14T22:17:00.002-05:002009-01-14T22:23:22.022-05:00Starting back up!After all this time, I had given up on the rraft, but I still had those 1000 bottles tucked away. When instructables.com released their <a href="http://www.instructables.com/contest/keepthebottle/">keep the bottle contest</a>, I realized that I had to start it up again. The new design will require less recycled material (though I still want to recycle whatever I can) and will be smaller, using about half the bottles. Today I went to Home Depot and bought a 40" x 25' roll of garden fencing mesh. I also made two pontoons. Each one is a cylinder made of 78 in. of the fence, and filled with 162 bottles each. They were closed up with zip ties. I plan on adding two smaller pontoons for more support.<br /><br />The frame will be made of PVC, and so far the platform will be fiberglass resin coated plywood. I'm still looking for other ideas to use instead of the plywood.<br /><br />I'm just glad to finally be finishing this project!recycledRafthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08674867955128153707noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1234198178664548224.post-79091595485366935462008-03-10T21:53:00.004-04:002008-03-10T21:57:27.652-04:00Bottle UpdateI sat down tonight and counted out 100 more bottles from my towering stacks of them. I am no long collecting bottles. My current count is 800, and i've got more than 200 waiting to be counted.<br /><br />I have no idea how realistic it is, but I have set the goal of setting sail over my Spring break, which begins on March 28, 2008. Seeing as I should have all the bottles counted in the next two or three days, I just need to start finding all the supplies I need. Wish me luck!recycledRafthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08674867955128153707noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1234198178664548224.post-52500250202027868832008-01-29T15:40:00.000-05:002008-01-29T15:42:21.040-05:00Lack of UpdatesSorry for the lack of posts/update here...but don't worry, the raft is still being built! I estimate somewhere over 800 bottles, but haven't had a chance to process and count all of the bottles i've got piled up in my room/in the garage. I'll try to get it done ASAP!recycledRafthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08674867955128153707noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1234198178664548224.post-19089458680954687342007-12-22T14:25:00.001-05:002007-12-22T14:35:40.198-05:00Rethinking the DesignAfter seeing how much space 500 bottles takes up, just half of what I need, I've started thinking that two pontoons would be just too long. I'll most likely redesign the raft to have a base made completely of bottles. One plus of this would be less need for a 2x4 frame under the plywood deck; instead, the deck could be lain directly on top of the bottles.recycledRafthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08674867955128153707noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1234198178664548224.post-15387842419799812502007-12-08T16:49:00.000-05:002007-12-08T17:38:24.258-05:00TutorialOnce the raft is completed, a tutorial on how to build it will be posted at <a href="http://instructables.com/">instructables</a><br /><br />It will be found under <a href="http://www.instructables.com/member/Weissensteinburg/"> My Profile</a><br /><br />Here's an example of an instructable: <a href="http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-make-Candles!/">How to Make Candles</a>recycledRafthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08674867955128153707noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1234198178664548224.post-16739992102122087602007-12-03T21:15:00.000-05:002007-12-03T21:24:24.497-05:00Hurrah!We've collected 244 bottles, that's nearly 1/4 of our total goal!recycledRafthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08674867955128153707noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1234198178664548224.post-45877094348721257172007-12-03T19:36:00.000-05:002008-12-10T01:29:58.979-05:00Early DesignThis sketch demonstrates the original design idea, and is in no way final. It demonstrates two water bottle pontoons (blue) attached with carabiners. They are removable for transportation. The deck is made up of plywood over a 2x4 frame. Black dots are screws, and grey dots are eye bolts. The design also features two oars attached in storage at the top. Orange squares are seating, and the green rectangle is a bolted down cooler/storage container.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CqcxB5KccBA/R1SiwK51GZI/AAAAAAAAABY/AXySq3_IK7Y/s1600-R/boat.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CqcxB5KccBA/R1SiwK51GZI/AAAAAAAAABY/p8rzrDFUUqs/s320/boat.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5139912023180908946" border="0" /></a>recycledRafthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08674867955128153707noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1234198178664548224.post-52018067064208830782007-12-03T19:23:00.001-05:002007-12-03T19:30:23.247-05:00What is rRaft?rRaft is a locally based recycling program whose goal is to make a raft while utilizing as many recycled materials as possible, including water bottles. A recycling project such as this is better than traditional recycling, as it shows more immediate results, without costing the precious natural resources that plastic recycling traditionally consumes.<br /><br />Our raft criteria is the following:<br /><br /><ul><li>At least 95% recycled materials</li><li>Fully human powered</li><li>Completely safe and functional</li><li>Able to support 2-3 people + cargo (about 500 lbs)</li></ul>This website will be utilized to fully document the entire process, including the design, and construction.recycledRafthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08674867955128153707noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1234198178664548224.post-175256896605047822007-12-02T22:54:00.001-05:002007-12-03T00:07:44.208-05:00Bottle ProcessingA bottle's life:<br /><br />Once I receive a bottle, there's a bit of work to be done before it's ready to become part of a raft. Around 100 are accumulated before space begins to get cramped in my room, meaning it's time to take care of the bottles - a bagging day is called for!<br /><br />First, all the bottles are dumped onto the floor, and I sit down and cut off each and every label. This needs to be done so that they don't come off in the water...pollution is bad. Once the label is off, each bottle's contents is emptied into a Gatorade bottle (One is picked out from the pile) because most water bottles still have a bit of water left in them, and every bit of buoyancy counts! Gatorade is the bottle of choice because they have large mouths, making them easy targets (and spill resistant) along with higher volume capacities than most water bottles. Bottles from juice, soda, or sports drinks need to be rinsed out, so they are separated as they go through initial processing.<br /><br />After the entire cache of labeled bottles is exhausted, the non-water bottles are taken to the bathroom and washed out. If any water bottles were partially full, that water is used before sink water. The bottles are then taken back to be assimilated into the general bottle population.<br /><br />Now it's time for the counting! Kitchen garbage bags are retrieved, and 50 bottles are deposited into each one. Full bags are thrown into the vacant tree house out back, and the surplus bottles (< 50) are left in a laundry hamper, eagerly awaiting the next bagging day. Lastly, the final tally of bottles is recorded onto this website, for your viewing pleasure.<br /><br /> <div style="text-align: center;"> <img src="http://img505.imageshack.us/img505/1042/rr2tg2.jpg" /><br /><br /><br /></div>recycledRafthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08674867955128153707noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1234198178664548224.post-65204628440264807212007-12-02T21:55:00.001-05:002009-07-30T20:56:11.722-04:00FAQ<span style="font-weight: bold;">...Why?<br /></span>There's no <span style="font-style: italic;">real </span>reason, it's just something fun and interesting to do.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">How many bottles do you need?<br /></span>Explained <a href="http://rraft.blogspot.com/search/label/How%20Many%20Bottles%3F">here</a>, my goal is to collect ~1000 water bottles.<span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">How many bottles do you have?</span><br />You can see my most recent count in the upper right hand corner of every page.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Where are you getting so many bottles?</span><br />My friends and family have been great about helping me. Multiple donors are collecting bottles at home, I bring a bag to collect at school every day, and I rummage through recycling bins every Sunday night.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">What are you going to do with the raft?<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span></span>My ultimate goal would be to go somewhere on it. (There are some islands able to be rented for camping) But meanwhile, I'd be content with just going out on a local lake.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">When will it be done?<span style="font-weight: bold;"></span><br /></span>I'm currently in the bottle collection stage of construction, but my maiden voyage date will be posted, and documented on this website, along with all manufacturing of it.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">What will the raft be named?</span><br />I'm not sure yet..and open to suggestions. One idea I'm mulling over is "Terra Softa"<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Can I <span style="font-weight: bold;">help?</span></span><br />Sure! If you know you live near me, save up your bottles, and donate them. If you don't live near me, send an encouraging note, or forward the website to your friends.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Is this a one-man project?<br /></span><span><span>Not by any means! While it the brain child of <a href="http://weissensteinburg.com/">Micah Weiss</a>, I'd like to, and need to thank some of the following people:</span></span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br /></span></span><ul><li>Everybody who helped with collecting bottles - you know who you are</li><li>Everyone who has volunteered to help with construction and labor.<br /></li><li><a href="http://www.instructables.com/member/NachoMahma/">Hagen Bollen</a> - You've been a huge help with development of ideas, and this website - thanks<br /></li></ul><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Do you have an RSS feed?<br /></span>Sure do! This our feed's URL:<span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span><a href="http://rraft.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default?alt=rss">http://rraft.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default?alt=rss</a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">How are you going to make it?</span><br />Our design team is currently working through a few different ideas, the most promising consisting of two detachable pontoons, and an upper deck. More info will be posted when available.<span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br />How much money will the raft cost?</span><br />Because a majority of the raft will be recycled, we hope for the costs to be next to nothing. Hardware, however, will be bought new for ease of access and safety reasons.<span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">LMAO<br /></span>I'll take that as a compliment.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">You'll never make it.</span><br />Maybe not, but we hope so. Continue coming back to see what progress we're making.<span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Didn't some guy make an island like this?</span><br />He sure did. His name is <a href="http://www.treehugger.com/files/2005/11/tired_of_living.php">Reishee Sowa</a>, and he lives on a homemade island consisting of 250,000 bottles.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">How can I contact you?<br /></span>Feel free to email me at SpeedySpud [at] gmail [dot] com<span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span>recycledRafthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08674867955128153707noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1234198178664548224.post-54309434441087634842007-12-02T20:37:00.000-05:002007-12-03T06:22:43.080-05:00How Many Bottles? - The Math behind The RaftOur raft criteria specifies that it should comfortably support 2-3 people plus cargo. This weight was interpreted to supporting about 500 lbs. Because the average person weighs 150 lbs, 500 lbs would comfortably support 2 passengers, or 3 light weight passengers, while allowing for the actual frame of the boat.<br /><br />Obviously, we don't want the raft to merely equalize our weight (mostly/fully submerged), but instead, to carry our weight. In order, then, to carry 500 lbs, we want the raft to equalize at 1000 lbs. At this equalization point, the bottles will be halfway submerged, which is perfect.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Facts</span><br /><ul><li>The average bottle of water contains 16.9 fl oz of water.</li></ul><ul><li>Our <a href="http://wiki.answers.com/Q/How_much_does_one_gallon_of_water_weigh">source</a> tells us that 1 gallon of water weighs 8.337 lbs. There are 128 ounces in a gallon, so one ounce of water weighs 0.0651328125 lbs.</li></ul><ul><li>A 16.9 oz bottle of water weighs 1.0074453125 lbs</li></ul><br /><a href="http://physics.weber.edu/carroll/Archimedes/principle.htm">Archimedes' principle</a>, or the law of upthrust says:<br /><blockquote>"a body immersed in a fluid is buoyed up by a force equal to the weight of the displaced fluid."</blockquote><br /><br />Therefore, because an empty bottle of water displaces 1.01 lbs of water, it will support 1.01 lbs of weight when submerged.<br /><blockquote><br />1000/1.01 = 990.1 bottles</blockquote><br /><br />So, all of that just means that we'll need ~1000 water bottles for the raft to achieve a 500 lbs design load.<br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Sources:</span><br /><br />Weight of water: <a href="http://wiki.answers.com/Q/How_much_does_one_gallon_of_water_weigh">WikiAnswers</a> - Confirmed by numerous Google resultsrecycledRafthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08674867955128153707noreply@blogger.com0