Bending resin parts

The bag straps and sword straps for this figure were straight when the kit was made.  I used one of those little butane hobby torches to BARELY touch the straps and they got soft real quick.  I was able to bend them into the exact shape I wanted and run cold water over them.  That's all it took.

JigSawMan

Pop, I would highly recommend you do NOT use a butane torch to bend your resin pieces! For as much as Jigsawman got an admirable result with his straps, you could just as easily--and more likely--see your piece wind up an unrecognizable blob.

Put a cup of water in the microwave, and heat it up to like, the temp of a good cup of coffee or tea--like a minute ot two, depending on cup size? (Be careful taking the cup out!) Better to have a standing, still cup of water than running water with a drain underneath! Also the running water itself has "force" and also, you could burn your fingers.

Use a tweezers to dip your piece into the cup, and then check to see if it's pliable yet. About 5-10 seconds is about all it will take for most parts. Just keep checking it, and if you're not getting results, try heating the water a little hotter--I like mine just below "boiling". 

the doog wrote:

Pop, I would highly recommend you do NOT use a butane torch to bend your resin pieces! For as much as Jigsawman got an admirable result with his straps, you could just as easily--and more likely--see your piece wind up an unrecognizable blob. Put a cup of water in the microwave, and heat it up to like, the temp of a good cup of coffee or tea--like a minute ot two, depending on cup size? (Be careful taking the cup out!) Better to have a standing, still cup of water than running water with a drain underneath! Also the running water itself has "force" and also, you could burn your fingers. Use a tweezers to dip your piece into the cup, and then check to see if it's pliable yet. About 5-10 seconds is about all it will take for most parts. Just keep checking it, and if you're not getting results, try heating the water a little hotter--I like mine just below "boiling".

And I would also recommend that you resist the urge to put the resin part(s) in the microwave and zap them directly!   Some resins may have metallic fillers or/or  bubbles & imperfections which could lead to uneven heating and a catastrophic failure.  (Been there, done that, have the T-shirt!)

Heat your water to boiling and remove from the heat.  Then immerse the parts to be bent.  Bend gently and reheat as necessary 

Your patience will be rewarded.

the doog wrote:

Pop, I would highly recommend you do NOT use a butane torch to bend your resin pieces! For as much as Jigsawman got an admirable result with his straps, you could just as easily--and more likely--see your piece wind up an unrecognizable blob. Put a cup of water in the microwave, and heat it up to like, the temp of a good cup of coffee or tea--like a minute ot two, depending on cup size? (Be careful taking the cup out!) Better to have a standing, still cup of water than running water with a drain underneath! Also the running water itself has "force" and also, you could burn your fingers. Use a tweezers to dip your piece into the cup, and then check to see if it's pliable yet. About 5-10 seconds is about all it will take for most parts. Just keep checking it, and if you're not getting results, try heating the water a little hotter--I like mine just below "boiling".

Well it does take some skill and speed.  You certainly can't just leave the heat on the part or it might end up in a ball.  I agree with that.  Just and FYI - I tried the boiling water routine and the pieces always felt like they would break before they would bend.  Either way, a torched puddle or broken part, you'd still be in a pickle.  As the post before this one says patience is rewared.  Don't rush any method you choose.

JigSawMan

JigSawMan wrote:

the doog wrote: Pop, I would highly recommend you do NOT use a butane torch to bend your resin pieces! For as much as Jigsawman got an admirable result with his straps, you could just as easily--and more likely--see your piece wind up an unrecognizable blob. Put a cup of water in the microwave, and heat it up to like, the temp of a good cup of coffee or tea--like a minute ot two, depending on cup size? (Be careful taking the cup out!) Better to have a standing, still cup of water than running water with a drain underneath! Also the running water itself has "force" and also, you could burn your fingers. Use a tweezers to dip your piece into the cup, and then check to see if it's pliable yet. About 5-10 seconds is about all it will take for most parts. Just keep checking it, and if you're not getting results, try heating the water a little hotter--I like mine just below "boiling".  Well it does take some skill and speed.  You certainly can't just leave the heat on the part or it might end up in a ball.  I agree with that.  Just and FYI - I tried the boiling water routine and the pieces always felt like they would break before they would bend.  Either way, a torched puddle or broken part, you'd still be in a pickle.  As the post before this one says patience is rewared.  Don't rush any method you choose. JigSawMan

The problem you are describing is because you haven't gotten the resin hot enough; it would either have to be from your water not being hot enough, or the piece not being allowed to absorb that heat. Or, the piece you're trying to bend being just too thick. But I've never had a problem bending any resin piece this way; you just have to get the piece hot enough.A resin piece will not dissolve in water, no matter how hot, but one slip with an open flame, and you're out of luck! 

Maybe so.  I may not have left the pieces in long enough.  I'll try it next time.

JigSawMan

dj898 wrote:

Being impatient I usually use the 2nd hand hair dryer - because if I use the regular one missus won't be be pleased.  Apply the heat to the area and then gently bend to the shape and hold till it cools down. May have to do few times if not successful at the 1st go~

this is what works for me. My 1/6 scale figure Ratholos was seriously damaged a week after the nats and I had to LAY IN on the hairdryer to get all that resin heated up enough to move the leg/hip back into place. What in the h377 happened in that box I have no idea, but she was completely dislocated. I know the box was knocked from the shelf, but the fall was not THAT far!

I have her almost back to acceptable, but it took a LOT of heating and holding to get her back into shape.

Verlinden parts seem to have suffered some of the worst warpage I have seen, especially thier tow bars and chocks.

David