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bending PE

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  • Member since
    July 2008
  • From: Summerville, SC
bending PE
Posted by jeffpez on Thursday, April 25, 2019 12:19 PM

I'm building Meng's M911 truck and flatbed trailer and have a problem with a few PE pieces. The metal is rather thick (which I like) but when bending curves such as a round exhaust shroud the piece springs back. They provide a piece to aide in getting the shape correct but once I remove the clamp the PE won't hold the shape - it springs partially back to it's original shape. I'm sure there's a way to deal with this but I'm also sure I don't know what it is. Can anyone help?

  • Member since
    March 2003
  • From: Towson MD
Posted by gregbale on Thursday, April 25, 2019 1:02 PM

Google 'annealing photo etched parts,' or do similar searches on modeling websites...like this one.

The process involves heating the parts to tweak their molecular chemistry, making the metal more pliable and short-circuiting the 'shape memory' in its crystaline structure, so it won't 'snap back' the way you've experienced.

I'm sure there are probably helpful videos on Youtube demonstrating the procedure.

Good luck...and let is know how it turns out.

 

 

 

Greg

George Lewis:

"Every time you correct me on my grammar I love you a little fewer."
 
  • Member since
    June 2014
  • From: New Braunfels , Texas
Posted by Tanker - Builder on Monday, April 29, 2019 12:42 PM

Hi;

 I do this .I pass the metal over a flame . ALMOST annealing it . Then I use Bending pliars made for Jewelry making. The jaws are both wide and narrow enough to do the job .

  • Member since
    July 2008
  • From: Summerville, SC
Posted by jeffpez on Monday, April 29, 2019 3:12 PM

Thanks for the info. I'd read about it in the past but never tried it and couldn't remember what the process was called. I tried it yesterday using my gas cooktop and it worked great.

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