Big A Posted December 7, 2007 Share Posted December 7, 2007 looking for the simplest way to bend plasticard, tried heating it with a heat gun but it hasnt worked out too well. \ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TM190 Posted December 7, 2007 Share Posted December 7, 2007 I would use a heat gun. Just be carefull not to use too hold it too close for too long or it will stretch Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rieko Posted December 7, 2007 Share Posted December 7, 2007 I normally put it for about 15 minutes in hot water and than try to bent it on a round piece of wood, glas, tin or whatever form I need. Than I secure it with a rubber band or tape and let it rest for a while. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SMurF Posted December 7, 2007 Share Posted December 7, 2007 First of all what do you mean by "bend" Do you mean fold over at an angle or Mould into a shape Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tractorman810 Posted December 7, 2007 Share Posted December 7, 2007 First of all what do you mean by "bend" Do you mean fold over at an angle or Mould into a shape was thinking the same actually scott, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big A Posted December 7, 2007 Author Share Posted December 7, 2007 sorry, not very clear. i was hoping to fold the plastic card into a similar shape of a monoque trailer body, like the centre of this trailer. hope this makes sense now. thanks for the idea's already posted. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rieko Posted December 7, 2007 Share Posted December 7, 2007 First of all what do you mean by "bend" Do you mean fold over at an angle or Mould into a shape Sorry for my English: I mean mould into a shape. When I fold it over at an angle, I carve the poly at one side and fold it over to the other side. Edit: I would made the sides of the trailer with different layers of poly sheets and strips and fill it with bondo. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lord Ferguson Posted December 7, 2007 Share Posted December 7, 2007 Jason put up a post on here a while back from memory... I think it involved gluing an extra filler piece in the gap from memory.... FP can you find a link for it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deerepower Posted December 7, 2007 Share Posted December 7, 2007 Jason put up a post on here a while back from memory... I think it involved gluing an extra filler piece in the gap from memory.... FP can you find a link for it http://www.farmtoysforum.com/forum/index.php?topic=18008.0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tractorman810 Posted December 7, 2007 Share Posted December 7, 2007 you would be better off making a flat side first then using other bits cut to size with one angled edge on one side to build up the raised part/ make the trough part ,sort of multi layering with the plastic card doubt plasti card would heat to that sort of shape, the bends are to close Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alpinefocus Posted December 7, 2007 Share Posted December 7, 2007 when i made my stewarts and titan trailers, i use plastruct strip in layers. but if you want to creat the ribs on the inside aswell, cut the plasticard into strip and butt joint it to a square section of plastruct. turn and the then butt joint more strip t o the opposite side Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big A Posted December 7, 2007 Author Share Posted December 7, 2007 thanks folks, think i will try building up layers. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
james f Posted December 8, 2007 Share Posted December 8, 2007 If you really want to do this right and have the folds match on the inside and outside of the finished trailer you need to use a strip heater. This has a piece of resistance wire that heats up when current is passed through it. Placing this wire close to a sheet of plastic for a short period of time heats just a strip of the plastic enough for you to easily bend it to any angle you want, where it sets once it cools down. I've never actaully used one myself but I've seen plenty of stuff made using this method in school. I'd say it would take skill and some trial and error to get it to work properly without completely melting or burning the plastic, and I would say that the best results would be achieved using thin sheets to give the sharpest bends Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FW Posted December 8, 2007 Share Posted December 8, 2007 If you really want to do this right and have the folds match on the inside and outside of the finished trailer you need to use a strip heater. This has a piece of resistance wire that heats up when current is passed through it. Placing this wire close to a sheet of plastic for a short period of time heats just a strip of the plastic enough for you to easily bend it to any angle you want, where it sets once it cools down. I've never actaully used one myself but I've seen plenty of stuff made using this method in school. I'd say it would take skill and some trial and error to get it to work properly without completely melting or burning the plastic, and I would say that the best results would be achieved using thin sheets to give the sharpest bends As James says, a hot wire bender would do the best job and quickly, just fairly dear to buy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TM190 Posted December 8, 2007 Share Posted December 8, 2007 As James says, a hot wire bender would do the best job and quickly, just fairly dear to buy. Cough.... http://www.farmtoysforumshop.com/traderzone/auction_details.php?name=Hot-wire-cutter&auction_id=100076 Cough.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
james f Posted December 8, 2007 Share Posted December 8, 2007 That be's a hot wire cutter, not the same thing Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TM190 Posted December 8, 2007 Share Posted December 8, 2007 That be's a hot wire cutter, not the same thing Its close enough :D :D :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FW Posted December 8, 2007 Share Posted December 8, 2007 Its close enough :D :D :D Vertical wire and a bending jig, totally different job. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big A Posted December 10, 2007 Author Share Posted December 10, 2007 thanks for the help folks managed to make a trailer headboard today by building it up with plasticard. some pics can be seen of my fraser trailer in the implement conversion board Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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Big A
looking for the simplest way to bend plasticard, tried heating it with a heat gun but it hasnt worked out too well.
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