Joshyjol Posted September 8, 2012 Share Posted September 8, 2012 Recently bought some of the bumpers off ravengaurd and I want to adjust the angle alittle so I need to heat up the bumper and bend it but can I do this with a heat gun? I was going to purchase one anyway but seems a good idea to get one for this aswell but unsure whether it will produce enough heat to bend 4mm plastic hdpe, any help???? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
richie-rich Posted September 8, 2012 Share Posted September 8, 2012 depends on the heat gun to be honest mate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joshyjol Posted September 8, 2012 Author Share Posted September 8, 2012 I know but alot don't give temp ranges in the product description... Just after easy ways to heat the plastic without burning it etc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scrumpy jack Posted September 8, 2012 Share Posted September 8, 2012 As I see it the issue is not in the bending, but will the heating of it alter the plastic making it brittle? A bumper that shatters on impact is not really what you want But If your going to give it a go I would do it like this... keep the heat gun a fair distance away and heat it slowly, bending in small increments, keep checking to see it's not getting to hot or soft. Gradually keep bending until it's at the desired angle. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
richie-rich Posted September 8, 2012 Share Posted September 8, 2012 HDPE is a thermo-plastic so it will be fine to heat up and reshape with out loosing any of its properties just so as scrumpy jack says and take your time dont hold the gun to close. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jacksprogis Posted September 9, 2012 Share Posted September 9, 2012 I have failed bending things before with heat Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Noj Posted September 9, 2012 Share Posted September 9, 2012 adding heat to stock plastics gives them more flex, so ok for arms and bumpers. what you wouldn't do is heat anything structural (ie shock towers, bulk heads etc) as they don't want flex, and the threads will also pull out +1 for scrumpy's suggestion Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jason1974 Posted September 9, 2012 Share Posted September 9, 2012 Why don't you ask the person that you bought them off how they bent them when they made them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carpmart Posted September 9, 2012 Share Posted September 9, 2012 HDPE is fine to heat with a heat gun to shape etc. No brittle characteristics that I've seen when I've done this. I've done it loads too! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joshyjol Posted September 10, 2012 Author Share Posted September 10, 2012 HDPE is fine to heat with a heat gun to shape etc. No brittle characteristics that I've seen when I've done this. I've done it loads too! Not that I am but curious how to cut it clean and smooth? Everytime I cut plastic (shells, parts etc) I get alot of burring, any tips on cutting plastic? whilst we are nearly on topic, Saves me starting another thread Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
richie-rich Posted September 10, 2012 Share Posted September 10, 2012 Not that I am but curious how to cut it clean and smooth? Everytime I cut plastic (shells, parts etc) I get alot of burring, any tips on cutting plastic? whilst we are nearly on topic, Saves me starting another thread cover it with masking tape to stop it melting whilst cutting it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joshyjol Posted September 10, 2012 Author Share Posted September 10, 2012 cover it with masking tape to stop it melting whilst cutting it Very good tip! Cheers mate Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Noj Posted September 10, 2012 Share Posted September 10, 2012 use less speed and spray with gt40 as you go, keeps the plastic cooler, ergo less burring and melting Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jacksprogis Posted September 10, 2012 Share Posted September 10, 2012 (edited) use less speed and spray with gt40 as you go, keeps the plastic cooler, ergo less burring and melting Do you mean gt85 ? Edited September 11, 2012 by jacksprogis Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carpmart Posted September 11, 2012 Share Posted September 11, 2012 I get the cuts smartened up by actually nearly melting the edge with the heatgun and rolling a special tool (copper pipe) across the edge to smooth it whilst its hot. This gives a nice 'finished' appearance to items in HDPE Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joshyjol Posted September 11, 2012 Author Share Posted September 11, 2012 I've read scraping a blade or metal edge along the plastics edges also give it a decent finish after sanding and filing ofc. Well so I read, never done it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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