Ear Savers From Garbage Masks

We have been refining our methods for melting Polypropylene (and other plastics) into sheets of materials.

We compiled it all in this big long video to explain it all! check it out

Since this project started, there have been many others turning Polypropylene masks into things via injection or extruder molds  (e.g. this bench). And they generally just toss the whole mask in. I think this is fine in bulk quantities, but if you are making thin sheets like us, that mysterious middle layer seems to make them much more fragile. so watch out!

Since we started this project, we have come across many better ways to consistently heat up the plastic. Now instead of just a hot plate,  we moved to a panini press, and then a t-shirt press. Each of these you can get for 100-200$ and the ability to squeeze your plastic more consistently does wonders!