Bending Styrene Rod -Making Ehaust Pipes

[69NovaYenko]

Looking to fabricate my own exhaust pipes coming of the headers to the mufflers using round styrene rod.  What or best methods of bending styrene. Also, any tips, how tow tricks or recommendations would be appropriated as well.

Edited December 21, 2021 by 69NovaYenko

[4mula1fan]

I've used solder but not styrene. Solder is nice to bend up and looks good. 

[Richard Bartrop]

I  got good results holding the rod near an incandescent light bulb,, and applying gentle pressure.  It doesn't have to melt, just soften a bit.

[Bills72sj]

Steve put out a tutorial recently using a candle to soften the styrene.

 

 

[Ace-Garageguy]

It depends on several factors, like the particular brand and formulation of the styrene, its diameter, and the desired radius of the bend in question.

Some styrene rod can be bent "cold" by carefully working it with your fingers, and it might stay bent, or exhibit just a little springback...which can be defeated by bending it a little farther.

Some just won't bend in a smooth curve, tries to crack, and/or refuses to stay bent.

In that case, I warm it under pretty hot tap water, then bend it around a form of the radius I want, and tape it in place with high-quality masking tape. Dunk the whole mess in boiling water for 30 seconds (making sure the tape "fixturing" stays in place) then run it under cold water and it's "tempered"...hardened and will hold its shape forever after.

[935k3]

Use Plastruct brand if possible it bends without cracking as easily as Evergreen.

[Fat Brian]

I've had better luck using aluminum craft wire, it's soft like solder but keeps its shine better while you work with it. You'll probably want 12 to 16 guage depending on scale and how thick you need the tubes.

Here is an exhaust system I made with it.

[NOBLNG]

This one is done with .080” Evergreen styrene rod that I heated near a candle. The tight radiuses I wrapped around a suitable size rod.

This one is 3/32” Plastruct tube that I shoved some soft wire inside. The wire helps to hold the shape after bending, but the tube will still crack if bent too sharply. Here is a link to how I made the mufflers.

http://www.modelcarsmag.com/forums/topic/162370-making-mufflers/?tab=comments#comment-2426201

 

 

Edited December 21, 2021 by NOBLNG