can anyone me out. need to know how to bend plastic railings around aft gallery on the san felipe. don't want to break them they need to form a half circle to conform around the gallery. thanks in advance terry
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Soak in hot water?
plastic railing... any one still has plastic ...ugh
I thought we have "evolved"...
I thought we have "evolved"...
I'm with you, that aside, maybe heat gun or hairdryer, being plastic, be careful.
Kurt Konrath
Kurt Konrath
Plastic has memory like wood, you have to change its memory.
I suggest trying a low heat source like a candle or burner on stove, but warm slowly and bend when ready.
You will have to hold the bend until the plastic cools.
Just don't get into a hurry and get to close or hot or you will loose the shape of plastic, or worst melt it.
You may want to find a bottle or can about the same size as your ship to use as a form, works better for even shaping.
If you get it close to final needed shape then glue will hold it down when attached to ship.
But one other option is to find suitable replacement in wood stock and use traditional wood bending methods curve it.
I suggest trying a low heat source like a candle or burner on stove, but warm slowly and bend when ready.
You will have to hold the bend until the plastic cools.
Just don't get into a hurry and get to close or hot or you will loose the shape of plastic, or worst melt it.
You may want to find a bottle or can about the same size as your ship to use as a form, works better for even shaping.
If you get it close to final needed shape then glue will hold it down when attached to ship.
But one other option is to find suitable replacement in wood stock and use traditional wood bending methods curve it.
Low heat is the only way I can think of but I'd make a jig so you get the bend just right. You could maybe find some metal strips to make the top and bottom railings and then just use the plastic balusters and it might look/work better.