microwave-styrene experiment

[STYRENE-SURFER]

While working on my A/FX Mustang project I thought, Hmm. How can I get heat evenly into the .08 evergreen rod

that I'm using for the roll-cage.

I mocked up the roll-cage w/soft craft wire, then transferred them to paper.

Now was time to try to get the bends in the right places and angles.

I've done cold bends as well as using a heat source (candle, soldering iron) usually got a pinched off looking result

or a burnt Flambé.

Soo, what the heck. I tried putting a short piece of Evergreen in the Micro for 3.5 minutes and tried putting some

bends into it using a small rod as a sort of arbor.

Pleased with the results so far but will have to experiment more with this.

Have any of you tried this? Yah, weird but thats how I think.

 

[Miatatom]

Interesting technique. Gotta build the cage for my Bugeye in my avatar. I'll try this method.

[oldscool]

I have thought about it but never tried it. How soft was the styrene when you took it out?

[Bucky]

Nice concept! May hafta try it, myself!

[STYRENE-SURFER]

Was not that soft, but warmish, rod was still straight and not distorted in any way.

Like I said, will experiment more with this.

Give it a try, perhaps it may take a couple of trips to the Micro to get the bends just right.

[Bucky]

That might work for exhaust pipes, as well!

[STYRENE-SURFER]

12 minutes ago, Bucky said:

That might work for exhaust pipes, as well!

Yah, I've got some crazy random exhaust pipes to build for my Mustang project.

[BigTallDad]

Perhaps an adaptation of this tutorial might be useful

http://www.modelcarsmag.com/forums/topic/102629-bending-tubing/?tab=comments#comment-1652081

PS: I HATE how Photoshop puts their self-promo in my pictures!

Edited July 30, 2019 by BigTallDad

[STYRENE-SURFER]

BTW my microwave is relatively low power, so creep up on your tests. 

[STYRENE-SURFER]

58 minutes ago, BigTallDad said:

Perhaps an adaptation of this tutorial might be useful

http://www.modelcarsmag.com/forums/topic/102629-bending-tubing/?tab=comments#comment-1652081

PS: I HATE how Photoshop puts their self-promo in my pictures!

Well that's another way completely.

I am talking about Styrene. I'm strange cause I try to stick to it as a medium.

BTW, I totally understand there are different ways to do this.

Just experimenting and trying new (to me) different ways.

Edited July 30, 2019 by STYRENE-SURFER
BTD

[misterNNL]

Thanks for sharing what works for you.

[Roger U]

Thanks for sharing this idea. It's nice that you tried it then reported on it and looks like it works very well.

[STYRENE-SURFER]

14 minutes ago, misterNNL said:

Thanks for sharing what works for you.

Tom, I'm not saying it works 100% yet. I'm just trying something different and trying to have a discussion about it.

Going to do some more tests to see what can be done.

 

[stitchdup]

Interesting method, I'll be watching to see how it progresses for you. Thanks for sharing

[TarheelRick]

Very interesting concept.  However, I do not relish the thought of sleeping in the basement, so to appease the wife I doubt if I will try this. At least when she is at home.

[STYRENE-SURFER]

Well, looks like this is not any kind of silver bullet. 

Did some test today and results were not that great. Too long in the micro and some rods became slightly wavy.

Not much consistency with how each rod reacted. I guess the only real advantage was I was able to make a 

90 degree bend without snapping it or burning my fingers. I did get a good start on the roll cage tho, with a this

pile of rejects. 

[Bucky]

Does your microwave have a turntable?

[Richard Bartrop]

The trick with the lightbulb method is that you don't have to melt it, just weaken it.  Just apply gentle pressure while holding it near the bulb, and it will bend.

[JohnU]

15 hours ago, STYRENE-SURFER said:

Tom, I'm not saying it works 100% yet. I'm just trying something different and trying to have a discussion about it.

Going to do some more tests to see what can be done.

 

Been following this and had an idea you might like to try. How about putting a small bowl of water in the microwave with the styrene and let it steam up. I’m not saying to put the plastic in the water but put them both on the platter together. Or, why not! It’s an experiment right? I’m guessing the steam may get things hotter and the plastic will soften more than with the microwaves alone. Since microwave radiation excites water molecules to do cooking, plastic doesn’t have much water in it to “cook” it per say. Although I have ruined a few Tupperware containers over cooking my leftovers!?

[STYRENE-SURFER]

I tried a few variations of this experiment, including steam, and could not get the rod to do exactly what I wanted it to do.

Had to use a hotter heat source and (Over-Bend It) so it would finally situate in a way that worked. 

Stick with those Tea Candles or Light Bulbs 

K.

[afx]

I like the candle method.  I've been successful fabricating some challenging roll cages and headers using it.

Edited August 2, 2019 by afx

[Snake45]

I've successfully bent styrene rod by sticking it in boiling water for a few seconds. I forget how long it was, but it wasn't too long--experiment. When it comes out of the water, you have a few seconds to get it where you want it. 

Notice that with each heating/cooling cycle of styrene, it gets more brittle, and it'll want to shrink, too. If you can do it in one shot, it's best. 

[NOBLNG]

1 hour ago, afx said:

I like the candle method.  I've been successful fabricating some challenging roll cages and headers using it.

Beautiful job on those headers! The roll cage too.

[bobthehobbyguy]

What about using something like the heated sand eye doctors use for adjusting the ear pieces on glasses.

[aurfalien]

7 hours ago, afx said:

I like the candle method.  I've been successful fabricating some challenging roll cages and headers using it.

Hi JC,

Man your warez look incredible.

How close do you hold the part near the flame and for how long?

Whats an indicator that the heated part is ready to bend?

I've tried this and end up blackening and ruining the parts.