TwistedFabrication Posted March 23, 2009 Share Posted March 23, 2009 Hey guys wondering how you guys bend plastic. I am building a couple of custom frames and have some .188x.188 square solid and some 1/8 tube that I want to bend. Tried heating it but results werent what I was hoping for. The square just flattened out and didnt hold true to its shape any help would be appreciated. Thanks Late. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Davkin Posted March 23, 2009 Share Posted March 23, 2009 (edited) Patience is key here. What I do is light a small candle so I can keep both hands free and rather than hold the plastic right over the flame I just hold it kinda near and not for very long. You really only want the plastic warm, not hot. There will still be slight deformation but if you work it slowly and don't get it too hot the deformations are easily cleaned up with a file. Another option is to use hot water to soften the plastic, but they requires even more patience and standing over your sink while forming a frame, not exactly convenient or comfortable. Either way, heat is required, no other way around it. Well, there is one other option, cut and glue. For some shapes that's the only option. David Edited March 23, 2009 by Davkin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
James W Posted March 23, 2009 Share Posted March 23, 2009 The 1/8 tube should bend to about a 45 degree angle without heat. For more than that try boiling water poured over the localized area to be bent. To 'bend' the .188x.188 you will have to cut it and reglue the joints. There is enough plastic there to pin the joints after they are glued. To do this drill a hole through the joint from one piece to the other and glue in a plastic or metal rod with superglue. Heating plastic causes it to relax and revert to its previous form, usually a puddle. Heating it beyond a temperature that you can still touch it is a problem, but if you warm it with boiling or near boiling water you should be able to manipulate it to some degree. If this dose not get you where you need to be, let us know. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
diymirage Posted March 23, 2009 Share Posted March 23, 2009 i always like adding some metal wire to the inside of the tube i want to bend that prevents a total flattening of the tube because the wire is in the way depending on how many bends i make in one peice i take it out when im done or just leave it in Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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