Need help Bending Acrylic (1 Viewer)

[DaAznGuy]

Anyone have any experience bending Acrylic? I purchased an overflow with my new tank and it seems the overflow is not a true 90 degrees, so I need to bend it about 5-10 degrees so it fits properly, at its current angle, it would put too much strain on the silicone once installed in the tank. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.

Long

 

[steveb]

Should be relatively easy to do.. I used a heat gun from lowes, they are in the paint section. you really have to watch the heat or you will scorch the plastic (turn it brown).

 

[nicky]

or use a heating strip made for bending acrylic. They have it at regal plastic. I have one u can borrow but I have to first find it in my garage somewhere. that might take a while . lol.

 

[DaAznGuy]

Thanks for input, is there a maximum thickness heating guns will work on? I think my acrylic overflow is a quarter inch. Anyone have a heating strip that's readily available (not lost in garage, hehe)?

 

[nicky]

I found it if u want to borrow. I'll be in ur area tomorrow. By reliant.

 

[steveb]

1/4" isn't an issue either way

 

[DaAznGuy]

Thanks Steve, took your advice and tried the heat gun. Worked out real well. Slight bubbles but on bottom part so no biggie. Picked up one at harbor freights on way home today.

 

[steveb]

your welcome. it takes practice... I have "browned" several pieces because I get impatient LOL.. You can also use that heat gun to bend PVC pipe if the need arises. Tektite posted some pipe bending photos a while back.

 

[nicky]

so i guess you dont need the bender then. glad it work out for you.

 

[BigRick]

so i guess you dont need the bender then. glad it work out for you.

I might borrow it one day

 

[DaAznGuy]

nicky: thanks again for kindness, this time I didn't need the bender, maybe next time for a bigger project hehe.


also got a little impatient. Did find a technique online while browsing that if you put wood planks across the area you want bent, one above and one below to create a slit, it will help isolate the heating area if anyone else out there plans to use a heat gun for bending. I felt like it helped me big time.