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Forums - Modelling / Construction |
The construction forum is for the discussion of techniques on the construction phase of AFV modelling and the tools and materials used. |
| Topics | 1939 |
| Messages | 9056 |
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| Subject: | Re: Soldering Iron for bending plastic |  |
| Date: | Jun 9, 2008 |
| From: | Arun Bauer | |
Hi Jonathon
You could use a hair-dryer or a heat gun as well. I preferred the hair drier, because it wasn't getting that hot. The heat gun I used only for heating plastic sheets for vacuforming, but it kept being difficult to heat thin sheets evenly.
Furthermore, it is a very dangerous tool, prone to start fires and one of the least suitable tools for use in closed rooms or in proximity to inflammable solvents. That's why I don't use it any more.
So, for heating a plastic towing cable try the hair-dryer, because it's much safer. To avoid the complete loss of a towing cable in case of a failure of procdure, You can protect the towing eyes with masking tape.
Today I use aftermarket towing cables, but just for saving time. In the past, I used to make the cables myself, using thin wires which I found in craft suplies shops in different strengths.
I produced my cables by taking several strings and twisting them together into a cable with the help of a hobby drill.
I made a loop with the strings and fixed the endings with a screw clamp on the workbench, stretched them and conntected the lug on the other end to a hook which I fixed in the chuck of my hobby drill. I then twisted theth strings together with the drill, mostly acheiving very good results.
I could do this without any problems, because of a special transformator which allowed me to have my hobby drill turn at very low speeds without loss of power.
You can do this with a cordless screwdriver or with a hand driven drill. I wouldn't take a Dremel micro tool, for it turns to fast, even at the lowest speed.
I hope, my remarks will provide You some help.
Kindly Yours
Arun Bauer |
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