Farmersam Posted January 14, 2011 Share Posted January 14, 2011 Hi. I know you've all probably answered this question 100's of time, but does anyone have tips on working with plastic? - best cutting tool - how to get a good precise straight cut - best way to heat and bend plastic - good plastic to use - any other tips Thanks so much for you help! If a newbie at scratch building so look forward to hearing your tips! Cheers Sam :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Farmersam Posted January 17, 2011 Author Share Posted January 17, 2011 Any one know the best way to bend plastic as I have got something that I will need to bend but wondered if a heater or a candle would work :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlexMF Posted January 17, 2011 Share Posted January 17, 2011 I'd be inclined to try some hot water, the candle might melt the plastic! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tractorman810 Posted January 17, 2011 Share Posted January 17, 2011 i tend to use hot water or sometimes a candle, really depends on how thick / thin the bit is your bending, really fine stuff can get bent just by rubbing your fingers up and down on it, friction warmth, if its hollow tube, then fill it with some sand, that stops it collapsing on the underside of the bend, other otpion if the tubes very fine is talc, or flour, easier to get that in, and it blows out after Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
james f Posted January 17, 2011 Share Posted January 17, 2011 A strip heater is the real deal for this if you can justify one, just put 'plastic strip heater' into Google and have a browse around. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SMurF Posted January 17, 2011 Share Posted January 17, 2011 A simple way is to use an old hair dryer and heat it gently with that doesn't leave black marks like you can get with a candle most hair dryers have a couple of heat settings so experiment to see what works Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lady Ferguson Posted January 17, 2011 Share Posted January 17, 2011 I always use either a hairdryer or a bowl of boiling water - if you bend it in boiling water (wear rubber gloves of course) and then plunge it into cold water immediately it keeps it's shape Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Farmersam Posted January 17, 2011 Author Share Posted January 17, 2011 Hi, thanks everyone. Thats a big help too me! I would have never thought of the water or hairdryer! Look forward to trying these methods. Thanks heaps!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Farmersam Posted January 17, 2011 Author Share Posted January 17, 2011 i tend to use hot water or sometimes a candle, really depends on how thick / thin the bit is your bending, really fine stuff can get bent just by rubbing your fingers up and down on it, friction warmth, if its hollow tube, then fill it with some sand, that stops it collapsing on the underside of the bend, other otpion if the tubes very fine is talc, or flour, easier to get that in, and it blows out after Wow! Very creative and helpful ideas! Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ginjaninja95 Posted February 5, 2011 Share Posted February 5, 2011 I made a home made strip heater big bulbs plus a wire =a strip heater and a wood frame Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Farmersam Posted February 6, 2011 Author Share Posted February 6, 2011 I made a home made strip heater big bulbs plus a wire =a strip heater and a wood frame Awesome! Thanks for the suggestion. :) :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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Farmersam
Hi. I know you've all probably answered this question 100's of time, but does anyone have tips on working with plastic?
- best cutting tool
- how to get a good precise straight cut
- best way to heat and bend plastic
- good plastic to use
- any other tips
Thanks so much for you help! If a newbie at scratch building so look forward to hearing your tips! Cheers Sam
:D
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