Styrene question

[Pete_Fan]

Im new here, so not sure where the questions are supposed to go. But i have a question about how flexible styrene is. I am wanting to build a 1/25 scale "round bottom" dump trailer like my dad pulled. Problem is will styrene snap trying to bend it into a half circle? If so whats my other choices? Thanks in advance!

[MattW]

Depends on just how think the plastic is. The thinner styrene should be able to bend without breaking. One way to get the thicker pieces to bend, is to heat them. There are several ways to do that such as heating it with a blow dryer, to putting it in hot water.

[Ace-Garageguy]

You can get styrene sheet down to .005" thickness, and it will bend very happily without cracking at a 1/4" radius. Depending on the size and radius of the part you're making, you can work with much thicker material.

If you select the appropriate thickness, you DO NOT need heat, unless you're vacuum-forming compound curves.

Just one source of many: http://www.dickblick.com/products/plastruct-styrene-sheet-packs/

Edited November 21, 2013 by Ace-Garageguy

[kennb]

I get my plastic is larger sheets,,,about 3 feet by 6 feet from here,,,,,,,,they are fast and a lot cheaper than buying a bunch of small sheets,,,,,,you can get any thickness you want.i use .20 and .40 for everything. you ccan see them on line buy searching usplastics.com

United States
Plastic Corp

Call us: 800-537-9724

[Pete_Fan]

You know guys i think that build might be a bit hard lol! Here's a MAC round bottom. Dads was a American. MAC got there ideas from jimmy wink at American i think lol.

Is it even possible to build it?

[monkeyclaw]

Depending on scale; you can also consider using PVC pipe for the dump body....I learned years ago, that's it's easier to start with, rather than starting with flat sheet ........................Matt

[Pete_Fan]

Depending on scale; you can also consider using PVC pipe for the dump body....I learned years ago, that's it's easier to start with, rather than starting with flat sheet ........................Matt

Thanks! I didnt think about PVC pipe!! Im totally new to the model world! I guess you can glue styrene to PVC i suppose?

[Pete_Fan]

Looks like it measures 96inch wide 60 inch deep and 40 foot long. Converting them to 1/25 scale. Man that thing sounds small! 3.xx wide seems small lol!

[olsbooks]

Here is a good one to help you with dimensions.... Use 1/24. It and 1/25 are so close it wont make a noticable difference.

http://scale-models.nl/scalc.html

If this is your first build, you might want to tackle a kit first like the AMT tanker trailer. It will give you a good feel plus give you many parts that you could use for your dump trailer.

Good luck.

[kilrathy10]

Man, Jesse....I was just thinking the same thing.....

[Bgrgbldr]

You might also consider using one of the AMT tanker sides to build the bed. They are preformed. I have seen 2 trailers built this way one gent actually assembled the halves and the cut them end to end to separate the top and bottom..

and as the previous post pointed out you will have lost of usable suspension parts.

Gary

[Pete_Fan]

Hey i never thought about taking 1/2 of a tanker shell!! Thanks for the ideals. That might work!!

[Pete_Fan]

Looks like there is a amt 2 piece hull tanker. I found one on epay.

[kilrathy10]

Even if you don't get it on ebay, they're still available online....I know plastic-models.com has them....

[scale trucker]

or you can get the resin one from gw trucks here is a pic

[Pete_Fan]

Looks good!!! Whats the gw site? Any prices?

[scale trucker]

he does not have a web site but his email is gwtrucks@yahoo .com

[gotnitro?]

Gary is a great guy to deal with too! We're working on an Oshkosh front discharge mixer right now.

Edited December 19, 2013 by gotnitro?

[Truck parts]

Thank's for the tip on using the tanker body.and the G W site.