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Desiccant Opportunity?
Posted: Fri Feb 13, 2015 6:14 pm
by KAS
OUT OF DESICCANT AT THIS TIME Fri Mar 20, 2015 4:35 pm, I'm expecting a while till I receive more in.
What I’m purposing for those interested is stuffing a flat-rate USPS (US only, sorry) boxes full of 4 unit Tyvek desiccant packs.
This is mil spec MIL-D-3464 Type II if you would like to know the exact details.
I’ll include a couple of humidity indicator cards that measure 30/40/50% humidity. These desiccant packs can be rejuvenated
unlimited times by following the instruction printed on each bag. As a warning, Tyvek bags melt very easy so don’t try to
speed up the process by using too much heat.
What it comes down to is we do not reuse or reactivate old desiccant, we trash them. Only new packs go back into our…, let’s
just says end product…
If this is something that people are interested in, I’ll run to the post office and grab the flat rate boxes. You are paying the cost
of shipping only (maybe paypal fees, not sure what that would be). I’m not looking to make any money off this.
Let me know below if interested, and I’ll make it happen.
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Pricing for shipment, plus paypal fee.
-Small Flat Rate Box 6 packs, 2lbs.6oz $6.95 ( not worth it )
-Medium Flat Rate Box 29 packs 11lbs, $13.65
-Large Flat Rate Box 48 packs, 18lbs $18.90
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Tracking list:
Code: Select all
Fri Mar 20, 2015 4:37 pm
precisionpete - 1 Large (paypal Sent)
mvansomeren - 1 Large (paypal sent)
These just came out of service today. Dumped them on the ground for the pic, but going back in the sealed container.
Doing a quick test to see the life left in the desiccant. See the 30% turning on the left? I put one tablespoons of water and microwaved for 20 seconds. we do this to verify the packs can absorb the moisture in 24 hours.
6oz each, not sure the weight of a small or medium flat rate box.
I'll toss in a couple cards in case you have multiple containers
Re: Desiccant Opportunity?
Posted: Fri Feb 13, 2015 6:42 pm
by nitewatchman
Very interested in as much as you can spare!
Flat rate sounds good, let me know and I will sent doubloons!
Re: Desiccant Opportunity?
Posted: Fri Feb 13, 2015 7:26 pm
by AndyB
Also interested in 8 packs. PM me and I'll send you some coin.
Re: Desiccant Opportunity?
Posted: Fri Feb 13, 2015 7:43 pm
by KAS
Sounds good. I just picked up three different sizes of boxes. Let me pack these and post the weights estimate of quantity inside and the flat rate shipping cost.
Re: Desiccant Opportunity?
Posted: Fri Feb 13, 2015 8:24 pm
by KAS
Small Flat Rate Box 6 packs, 2lbs.6oz $5.95 .99ea
Medium Flat Rate Box 29 packs 11lbs, $12.65 .43ea
Large Flat Rate Box 48 packs, 18lbs $17.90 .37ea
The quantities are estimates, I'm just going to toss them in till it's full.
Paypal charges a small percentage fee + .30 let's just make is a buck and be done with it.
The small box isn't worth it IMO. Yes that's a lifetime of jerky desiccant packets, but com'on...
also, I'll place everything in plastic bags so they don't soak up the rain/snow when USPS kicks them to the door.
PM me your paypal email and what box, I'll send an invoice and drop these in the mail the next day.
hard to read but it's 18
6 packs is pushing the limits of that box
Re: Desiccant Opportunity?
Posted: Fri Feb 13, 2015 8:41 pm
by KAS
1 Large Sold,
1 Large Reserved for nitewatchman.
eek, I need to see how many boxes I can fill

Re: Desiccant Opportunity?
Posted: Fri Feb 13, 2015 9:15 pm
by BenTheRighteous
Any chance of you taking bitcoin for payment?
I'll PM you my PayPal email to reserve a spot anyway. I definitely want in on this!
Re: Desiccant Opportunity?
Posted: Fri Feb 13, 2015 9:19 pm
by KAS
BenTheRighteous wrote:Any chance of you taking bitcoin for payment?
I'll PM you my PayPal email to reserve a spot anyway. I definitely want in on this!
nope, no bitcoins.

Sold 47 bitcoins about 3 years ago and I'm still kicking myself in the ass.
I'll send the paypal invoice right now.
Re: Desiccant Opportunity?
Posted: Fri Feb 13, 2015 10:05 pm
by KAS
3 sold, I have enough for 1 large box tonight, plus the one on reserve for nitewatchman.
I'll grab more on Tuesday when i get back to work. Just post here if interested that way I know about how much to grab.
Re: Desiccant Opportunity?
Posted: Fri Feb 13, 2015 10:42 pm
by Eric
Put me down for a large box. PM incoming.
Are the indicator cards reusable as well, or are they trash once they turn pink?
Re: Desiccant Opportunity?
Posted: Fri Feb 13, 2015 11:12 pm
by jdurand
Depending on what the bags are made of, you can bake/microwave pretty much any desiccant to dry it out. If you bake it you need a convection oven that vents the moist air so it doesn't just suck it back when it cools.
Re: Desiccant Opportunity?
Posted: Sat Feb 14, 2015 12:08 am
by bvandiepenbos
I will take one large box.
thanks
I will pm my paypal email
Re: Desiccant Opportunity?
Posted: Sat Feb 14, 2015 1:36 am
by precisionpete
I'll take 2 large boxes.
PM inbound.
Much appreciated this kind offer.
Re: Desiccant Opportunity?
Posted: Sat Feb 14, 2015 8:23 am
by KAS
Eric wrote:Put me down for a large box. PM incoming.
Are the indicator cards reusable as well, or are they trash once they turn pink?
Yes the cards are reusable (unless they physically get wet, the dye runs). A hair dryer works best to turn them blue again.
Re: Desiccant Opportunity?
Posted: Sat Feb 14, 2015 8:35 am
by KAS
jdurand wrote:Depending on what the bags are made of, you can bake/microwave pretty much any desiccant to dry it out. If you bake it you need a convection oven that vents the moist air so it doesn't just suck it back when it cools.
The 4 unit bags above are made of Tyvek. Hard to explain but it's the same Tyvek moisture barrier they wrap houses in. Any conventional oven will work, just keep the temp low. The reactivation time listed on the bags is 16 hours at 245F. That's a long time to be running an oven, so I messed around with different direct and indirect temps and all failed. Either the bags would melt or the seals on the edges of the bags would come unglued. I tried to microwave on high and the bag doesn't allow the pressure to escape fast enough. The pressure turn the bag into a ball in a hurry then melts at the seams. Maybe a defrost or lower power setting would work. I haven't tried drying these with a gas type oven.
As a suggestion, use a cookie sheet and place a layer of foil over the top. Ovens have a tendency to over heat then turn off to maintain the desired temp.
Re: Desiccant Opportunity?
Posted: Sat Feb 14, 2015 8:40 am
by KAS
I'll update the first post as I get more request below.
Re: Desiccant Opportunity?
Posted: Sat Feb 14, 2015 12:03 pm
by mvansomeren
What about using a food dehydrator? I have one with multiple levels that I use to make beef jerky. Do you think that would work?
Re: Desiccant Opportunity?
Posted: Thu Feb 19, 2015 4:17 pm
by MKGrinch
I will bite on this one! 1Medium box Please!!! PM Sent! Thank You!!
Re: Desiccant Opportunity?
Posted: Thu Feb 19, 2015 4:47 pm
by BenTheRighteous
Just wanted to chime in that my large box arrived today, thanks Kas! It was totally filled to the brim. My wife is probably going to look at me funny when she finds out about this, but I ordered some jewelry for her today so I'll be good for awhile!

Re: Desiccant Opportunity?
Posted: Thu Feb 19, 2015 5:31 pm
by KAS
Glad you got it. Kentucky got hit with that snow storm and we haven't had mail/school, more importantly UPS service in a week. They even closed where I work which means I'm on hold for desiccant.
Curious with the cold and old packs, what color was the indicator cards?
Re: Desiccant Opportunity?
Posted: Thu Feb 19, 2015 5:49 pm
by Eric
Mine arrived a few hours ago as well. Can't give you a cold test, as the local temperature is about 70 F today. Indicator card shows pink on 30%. 40% looks lighter than 50%, but still purple.
Re: Desiccant Opportunity?
Posted: Thu Feb 19, 2015 6:12 pm
by KAS
Okay, just be careful with reactivating them. That tyvek melts pretty easily or you'll loosen the glue that seals the ends and dump that stuff everywhere. The indicators cards will turn back blue in about 30 seconds of high heat under a hair dryer.
I asked about the cold because it will give you a false negative. The desiccant packs retain the moisture at lower temps and the cards will not detect the correct humidity until the temp raises.
Re: Desiccant Opportunity?
Posted: Thu Feb 19, 2015 6:26 pm
by JFettig
I'm interested in some.
Would it hurt to dump the desiccant out of the packages? I'm storing my filament in a 5 gallon pail with a gamma lid and I thought about spacing the filament from the bottom and fill the bottom with desiccant.
You could then reactivate the desiccant easily without worry about the tyvek?
How soon until you think you'll have more? I'd take a medium flat rate box full.
Re: Desiccant Opportunity?
Posted: Thu Feb 19, 2015 6:43 pm
by KAS
JFettig wrote:I'm interested in some.
Would it hurt to dump the desiccant out of the packages? I'm storing my filament in a 5 gallon pail with a gamma lid and I thought about spacing the filament from the bottom and fill the bottom with desiccant.
You could then reactivate the desiccant easily without worry about the tyvek?
How soon until you think you'll have more? I'd take a medium flat rate box full.
I'm expecting Monday, and believe I have enough to cover those who wanted some including you.
To be honest, getting rid of the bag might be the best way to go. Let me get one of mine and cut it open. I'm thinking it's the Montmorillonite Clay based desiccant, we don't use much silicate type desiccant anymore because of cost.
Re: Desiccant Opportunity?
Posted: Thu Feb 19, 2015 6:55 pm
by KAS
It's clay for sure.
Here is the MSDS for the pack, looks mostly inert except for the abrasive dust and Silica, Quartz. Just be safe
http://cdn2.hubspot.net/hub/391128/file ... 2408120447