I have a friend needing to bend a 24x24 inch piece of plexi in a 90 degree soft circle for like a corner glass. Can anyone tell me the approx temp he is looking for and a method of doing this correctly. If it isn't too high of temp, he might be able to tent his home oven....He is well educated in mfg. I think it is a one time small project though. Thanks for any input. Jack
Posted by Si Allen (Member # 420) on :
Depending on the particular acrylic...275 to 350°F should do it! If he is using cast acrylic, if he don't get it right the 1st time....put it back in the oven and do it again (cast acrylic has a "memory").
Posted by Danny Busselle (Member # 3746) on :
First make an accurate "Jig" to Bend it around. Then Take a HEAT GUN not a hair dryer. and you be able to heat and bend as you go. Best to have Two people one moving heat gun up and down the other one bending Plastic.
Regards Danny
[ May 19, 2003, 04:11 PM: Message edited by: Danny Busselle ]
Posted by Jeff Ogden (Member # 3184) on :
They have heat strips for this, but you probably don't want to invest in one for a 1-time project.
The basic principle is to lay the plastic over the edge of a table, with the bend lined up along the edge. Then you give it enough heat so that it bends itself...that is, gravity pulls the plastic down as it softens from the heat. It will make a nice 90deg. angle, or you can bend it over a piece of pipe for a larger radius. The main thing to remember is don't force it. It will move on its own when the heat is right...no need for a temperature gauge................
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