ABS or other thermoplastic heatforming

[oldpiper]

Does anyone here have experience with heatbending/heatforming ABS sheets (say 1/4 inch/6 mm or so)? Is it difficult to get the profile you want if it is not just a bend along a straight edge? How much heat do you have to apply, more than a heat gun,or do you actually have to put the material into an oven to get even heating through the depth?

Are there other plastics which are easier to work with than ABS, if so, are they available pigmented?

Any/all advice greatly appreciated.

Cameron

 

[dumbass]

Does anyone here have experience with heatbending/heatforming ABS sheets (say 1/4 inch/6 mm or so)? Is it difficult to get the profile you want if it is not just a bend along a straight edge? How much heat do you have to apply, more than a heat gun,or do you actually have to put the material into an oven to get even heating through the depth?

Are there other plastics which are easier to work with than ABS, if so, are they available pigmented?

Any/all advice greatly appreciated.

Cameron

I have done light forming but only on 1/8" and I don't sse you doing 1/4" especially with a heat gun. The problem is getting the area to bend all hot at the same time. MAybe if it's a really small area you could do it but not likely. Even on 1/8" I tend to grab my torch and carefully heat it. We used to de str8 90 bends on 1/4" Lexan also but that was done in an 8' long sheet metal bender and light heat from a torch.

Bob

 

[fechter]

ABS forms nicely, as does PVC sheet and acrylic. Polycarbonate is very difficult because it will bubble/burn at a few degrees above the point where it gets soft. For small areas, you can get away with a heat gun, but it's hard to get it heated evenly. Once you get it up to temperature, the plastic becomes 'rubbery' and you can bend it, but it doesn't want to stay put until it cools off again. I use a wet towel to cool it once in position. This works fine for a sinlge bend.

For a compound curve (dished curve), it is a lot more challenging unless working a small area. I think most guys use an oven for larger pieces. Vacu-forming is good for very large pieces. This will give you an idea:
http://www.instructables.com/id/Make-a-good,-cheap,-upgradeable-sheet-plastic-vacu/