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Post by pat on Jan 8, 2009 8:52:53 GMT
I am attempting to scratchbuild a roll cage and a few other pieces out of this and want to know best method for bending it. Every time I do it I manage to snap it. All advice appreciated as usual  |
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Lonewolf
Moderator 
Gods Country
Posts: 2,551
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Post by Lonewolf on Jan 8, 2009 9:06:23 GMT
Heat it or hot water Pat.
Thing is with it being tube, its likely to collapse in the middle. Can you use rod?
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Post by Ted Taylor on Jan 8, 2009 9:48:21 GMT
I am attempting to scratchbuild a roll cage and a few other pieces out of this and want to know best method for bending it. Every time I do it I manage to snap it. All advice appreciated as usual What size tubing are you using? if it is TB1 or 2 then it has wire in it so no problem, if it is bigger then you don't have to bend it as there are various radius curves/corners you can buy which just plug in for all sizes of tube. |
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Post by iansadler on Jan 8, 2009 10:15:55 GMT
Hi Pat , I would go for Rod it holds the shape better then tube as Ted says it collaspses . My method is to rub it between my fingers just enough heat then it bends . best of luck , But it all else Slaters or Daypol do a railway Accessory pack of pipes and flanges and corners . cheers ian
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Post by seb on Jan 8, 2009 10:33:28 GMT
Couldn't you fill the tube with very fine sand (or similar) whilst you bend them? I believe plumbers do that when they need to bend metal tubes.  |
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Post by pat on Jan 8, 2009 11:04:14 GMT
I am attempting to scratchbuild a roll cage and a few other pieces out of this and want to know best method for bending it. Every time I do it I manage to snap it. All advice appreciated as usual What size tubing are you using? if it is TB1 or 2 then it has wire in it so no problem, if it is bigger then you don't have to bend it as there are various radius curves/corners you can buy which just plug in for all sizes of tube. Where is the best place to get the radius curves etc from as my LMS does not have a lot in mainly the rod and square section. |
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Post by pat on Jan 8, 2009 11:05:29 GMT
Hi Pat , I would go for Rod it holds the shape better then tube as Ted says it collaspses . My method is to rub it between my fingers just enough heat then it bends . best of luck , But it all else Slaters or Daypol do a railway Accessory pack of pipes and flanges and corners . cheers ian I have tried to use rod and managed to snap that too even after rubbing it between my fingers. |
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ptcruiser
Moderator
Car & Motorcycle SIG Leader
Posts: 1,223
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Post by ptcruiser on Jan 8, 2009 13:43:30 GMT
Hi Pat
For roll cages you may actually be better off with rod rather than tube. The Plastruct Fineline range will probably cover the diameter you're looking for (assuming it's in the area of 1/24?). The secret is delicacy with the bend. I find a jig to hold the shape in place and then apply gentle heat from a hair dryer.
If you want to add padding at strategic points, use heat shrink tubing over the rod. If you've already assembled the cage, then you'll find it more challenging but not unsolvable by wrapping tape around the required location until you get the desired thickness.
Rich
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Post by Ted Taylor on Jan 8, 2009 17:27:35 GMT
What size tubing are you using? if it is TB1 or 2 then it has wire in it so no problem, if it is bigger then you don't have to bend it as there are various radius curves/corners you can buy which just plug in for all sizes of tube. Where is the best place to get the radius curves etc from as my LMS does not have a lot in mainly the rod and square section. You can get them from Hobby's Ltd www.hobby.uk.com. Plastruct www.plastruct.co.uk4D model shop www.modelshop.co.uk/Ted |
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