Anyone ever heat styrene?

[Snochaser]

I tried it today!

made a "mold" of the trucks hood I am building (out of some wood).... clamped the styrene to the mold and started heating.....and baam! a one piece hood, sweet! That worked great, nice smooth rolled edges too.

Anyone else ever tried it?

Ben

[firefighter-1177]

Sweet ill have to try that. That truck wouldnt be a p series would it.

[casper]

Yep use that method regularly .
Here's a link that explains my process:http://automodeler.kitmaker.net/modu...cle&artid=1243
Just in the process of making 3 different cabs, fenders, hoods and radiator shrouds for my own projects (all 1950's trucks ).
Definitely a very useful method to learn.

Roger.

[Brian in PA]

I have heated 2 of my hoods that I modified with no problems. Maybe try heating it and take your time bending it, a little at a time? Good luck!

brian

[Snochaser]

Originally Posted by firefighter-1177

Sweet ill have to try that. That truck wouldnt be a p series would it.

emmmmm no comment. Double secret!!!

Ben

Heat a little at a time. I use a heat gun and use the low setting (750 degrees). Plastic starts melting around 350 to 400 so it doesn't take long to heat up. The great thing about it is that when you heat it, you can reshape things over and over again, as long as you don't stretch the plastic out.

[Car5858]

Yes works great. Just remember that any problem with the wood plug will show on the molded part.

[Bsorenson79]

Originally Posted by Snochaser

I tried it today!

made a "mold" of the trucks hood I am building (out of some wood).... clamped the styrene to the mold and started heating.....and baam! a one piece hood, sweet! That worked great, nice smooth rolled edges too.

Anyone else ever tried it?

Ben

Did you vacuum form it or by hand?

[Snochaser]

Formed it by hand, be careful not to strech it as it bends.