bending plastruct tube

[toyboy]

I need to bend 3mm plastruct tube, just wondering if anyone has any tips on this subject, don't know if i imagined it but i'm sure some one on here said you could heat it in the microwave and then bend it, any tips on this would be much appreciated, thanks, George.

[Deere-est]

Hair dryer isn't a bad way and probably more controlable as well.  \

[MODELFARMER]

No

Hot water!!!

[Gav836]

Depends how much you want to bend it and what type of tube, round or square. With round you can put a bit of wire up inside it and bend it that way, will stay in shape then unless of course you need the tube hollow

[noel]

I've seen it been done with a LIGHTER!

Heat it up, it will go black, but your going to be spraying it anyway and just gently move into desired position and leave to cool!

[martin]

yes i agree some what with noel only i would use a candle then you have both hands free to bend it slowly

[MODELFARMER]

I tried the whole flame thing

So that why i now have a chubb fire extinguisher in the workshop ha ha!

[toyboy]

okay, so no matter what i do i will end up with burnt fingers think i will go with the least technical first, the water and work from there, cheers folks

[Murray]

I tried the whole flame thing

So that why i now have a chubb fire extinguisher in the workshop ha ha!

:D

[Tractorman810]

with that fine a tube i have bent it after rubbing it between my fingers for a min or so, surprised how warm it can get doing it that way, but have also used hot water before, if its hollow then see if you can get some sand ,but prob easier flour insdie it then bend, stuff will blow out after but give it support insdie when you bend it

[toyboy]

with that fine a tube i have bent it after rubbing it between my fingers for a min or so, surprised how warm it can get doing it that way, but have also used hot water before, if its hollow then see if you can get some sand ,but prob easier flour insdie it then bend, stuff will blow out after but give it support insdie when you bend it

excellent tip sean, i was wondering how to stop it getting squashed while bending it, i will be sure to remember this

[Tractorman810]

just pack it in before bending as flours / talcs not as thick as sand is, will still blow out no worrys

[Rick]

Depends how much you want to bend it and what type of tube, round or square. With round you can put a bit of wire up inside it and bend it that way, will stay in shape then unless of course you need the tube hollow

Get out  :o :o  poor Gavys been in the field to long.... :D :D

[robl12]

What about a heat gun.

[toyboy]

bit to drastic i think rob, could end up with molten plastic stuck to the tips of my fingers , will stick to the hot water for now i think

[robl12]

The one I have got has got variable heat settings.

[jdc]

It can be tricky, I use hot water too, but if none available hold it in front of the fan heater I have in the workshop. Also have a set of tiny springs for bending small metal tube which help - got them somewhere on the web