Best way to shape plastic...

[Skoad]

Parts started arriving for a custom job. After looking at measurements it looks as if I might have to reshape some plastic in order to fit some parts.

Whats the best way to "melt" the plastic so that I may press the side of a co2 tank into it, then let it harden?

[the electrician]

you could try a heat gun.

problem is, different plastics have different "break over" points. in other words they are rigid to a certain temp. when when they are heated past that point, they melt quickly.

if you knew what that point was for your plastic, you might be able to put it in the oven and control it better than a heat gun.

but with a heat gun you can slowly heat it up, not getting too close, or staying in one place on it for too long, and probably get what you want out of it.

[ojhspyro89]

you could try a heat gun.
if you knew what that point was for your plastic, you might be able to put it in the oven and control it better than a heat gun.

Just dont put the co2 tank in the oven


What bout that stuff they use on myth busters you know with the suction thing?

[Skoad]

i don't have the money to buy a billion dollar machine :P Plus thats not even what i need to know


I don't have a heat gun, ill give a hair dryer or two a try and see what happens.

[diaper eater]

heat up some water on the stove, throw the plastic in there for a while

[Furby#1]

its just like shaping inline racing boots toss it in the nuker pull it out with oven mits and lay over what you need but put tin foil it between and dont be stupid if you doing it on a tank make shure you have it empty and on an asa so its open and cant build up pressure

[Glickman]

elaborating on the "suction thing"

called vacuumforming

make a cast of what you want to cover. then drill a hole in the middle of a table, and put rubber to the size of a large piece of plastic.

put the vacum underneath, and slowly heat up the plastic with the cast underneath the plastic.

this is just off the top of my head, heres a site on it

http://www.studiocreations.com/howto/vacuumforming/index.html

yes, its stormtrooper armor