Bending Evergreen

[iBorg]

I'm trying to bend some Evergreen 1/16 rod exactly. I don't want the open flame methos as that seems a bit uncertain and risky. I've thought about the oven. Anyone tried to bake the parts to bend them. If so, do you have any secrets?

Thanks,

Mike

[randx0]

I don't know what kind of bends you are trying to make but a couple of options could be hot water or even liquid glue applied in the area being bent .personally I prefer putting wire inside tube much easier to control the bends.hope this helps.

[2002p51]

I see this question come up often and I wonder why so many modelers make it more difficult than it really is.

When I need to bend Evergreen rod, I just bend it! There isn't any more to it than that!

The stuff is very workable without heat of any kind. You can literally tie Evergreen rod in a knot.

Yes, the bends will spring back a little. But you simply bend it farther than you need to so that it springs back to the correct bend.

Work with it a little, waste a few pieces practicing and you'll see how simple it is.

I was looking through my files for some "in progress" photos but couldn't find any, so I'll show you this:

The rear bumper and side nerf bars on this modified are made from .080" Evergreen rod that I simply bent by hand.

Try it.

[iBorg]

That's a nice build. Normally I do follow the advice of bending more than needed and then let it spring back or if using tube, using brass rods inside for the bend. My problem is I need a U shape that either makes or breaks a dragster I'm working on.

Mike

[2002p51]

That's a nice build. Normally I do follow the advice of bending more than needed and then let it spring back or if using tube, using brass rods inside for the bend. My problem is I need a U shape that either makes or breaks a dragster I'm working on.

Mike

Funny you should mention this, Mike.

Just a few minutes ago I was working on this when I decided to take a break and see what's on the forum.

This roll hoop is on a Tommy Ivo frame. It's made from two pieces of .062" (1/16")Evergreen rod bent by hand.

It only took a couple of minutes.

I just don't see any reason to make things any harder than they need to be.

pretty much Drew has said it! after reading his article he wrote awhile back for SA on building rollcages and using Tenax i've never looked back. out of all the articles that i've ever read that truly had a positive effect on my building it was that one alone.

Dave

Thanks Dave, I appreciate that a lot.

[71drolds]

i use my garage as my building area and this time of year it only gets to about 50 degrees in there. i have a small electric heater on my bench and i use that to heat the rod. just hold the rod close to the element for a 10 seconds or so while rotating the rod for even heating and it works perfect.

[astroracer]

Like Drew said simply work the plastic a bit and it will bend just fine. One thing I do is heat it up with my fingers. Hold the bend point between your finger and thumb and give it a good rub. It's surprising how warm it gets and that little bit of heat helps it retain your shape after it cools off.

Mark S.

Edited February 21, 2010 by astroracer