Artshot Posted August 27, 2015 Report Share Posted August 27, 2015 (edited) Just a quick question. Since I will have to reshape the wrist end of one of my forearms, and there's good chance I will have to do the other. Plus there's the possibility of reforming some return edges. Is a Heat Gun more practical over boiling water ? I am trying to establish what one way will cover as many things as possible. Edited August 27, 2015 by Artshot Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mutter[TK] Posted August 27, 2015 Report Share Posted August 27, 2015 If you've never used a heat gun before, use boiling water first. Heat guns can get away from you real quick. If you must use a heat gun, use the low setting and be careful! For return edges, use a sealing iron, NOT a heat gun. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sly11[Admin] Posted August 27, 2015 Report Share Posted August 27, 2015 I agree with Mutter, ABS turns from a shape to a floppy flat mess in the blink of an eye. Hot water is a safer bet. If you have spare ABS piece, have a play around with a heat gun and see how 1 second too much, can make a difference. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tkrestonva[TK] Posted August 27, 2015 Report Share Posted August 27, 2015 Agreed. Use boiling water to reshape the plastic if at all possible. Save the heat gun as a last resort, and be exceedingly careful if you choose to use it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gazmosis[501st] Posted August 27, 2015 Report Share Posted August 27, 2015 Re-shaping the general shape of a part is possible with hot water, however you mentioned re-making return edges. Hot water will never heat the plastic enough to make the plastic mold able to bend into new-return edges. Ultra hot sources like a heat gun or a propane torch on the lowest possible setting should be tried only if you have experience!! A hobby iron works the best for return edges. The temp can be controlled and it can be don precisely to a pre-determined bend point. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Artshot Posted August 27, 2015 Author Report Share Posted August 27, 2015 After reading the above, I think a heat gun is definitely off my shopping list, I am having enough trouble with E6000 (which I know I can remove and try again), I don't want to ruin rather than fix. Good call on hot water not being able to heat the ABS enough to form a return edge, I had thought that if I treated it like reshaping then I could bend new return edges by hand. Time to return to Amazon for a Sealing Iron. Thanks All for the advice Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Locitus[Admin] Posted August 27, 2015 Report Share Posted August 27, 2015 If you have an old hair straightening iron, you can take that apart and just keep one half of it as a ghetto sealing iron. Works quite well and is free if you happen to have it. And if not, you can get a cheap one for even less than a purpose made heat sealing iron. Just remember to properly isolate any leads so you don't shock yourself. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
firebladejedi[TK] Posted August 27, 2015 Report Share Posted August 27, 2015 And there we have it. We all now know Mathias straightens his hair?! :-) 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Locitus[Admin] Posted August 27, 2015 Report Share Posted August 27, 2015 And there we have it. We all now know Mathias straightens his hair?! :-) Once it gets past a certain length, yes. Until I cut it again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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