Solder rework station for bending plastic

I have used a mini heat gun and prefer it to a soldering iron.  The type I use is called a stamping iron and can be found in craft stores, but Micro mark does carry them, but just alls it a mini heat gun.  I aslo use it at times to soften decals. Fairly inexpensive.

I have a Steinel temperature controlled heat gun that I use for this same purpose.  It can be adjusted as low as 160 F, and as high as 1,100 F, but similar to what you found at 212 F, I found it works best on plastic right around that temperature (210 in my case).  I have had a couple of warped canopies and car chassis that have been fixed with it.  Definitely an essential tool for model building...and I use it at work also for heat shrink tubing and solder sleeves.  Also works well for softening Nylo-Flo tubing just enough to get to slide onto pitot and static system fittings easier.

missileman2000

I have used a mini heat gun and prefer it to a soldering iron.  The type I use is called a stamping iron and can be found in craft stores, but Micro mark does carry them, but just alls it a mini heat gun.  I aslo use it at times to soften decals. Fairly inexpensive.

 

That Micro Mark adjustable heatgun is a more affordable option to the station I have and looks to be nicely compact. 

Never thought of using it to soften decals.  I'll have to give that a try the next time I run across a recalcitrant decal.

Eaglecash867

I have a Steinel temperature controlled heat gun that I use for this same purpose.  It can be adjusted as low as 160 F, and as high as 1,100 F, but similar to what you found at 212 F, I found it works best on plastic right around that temperature (210 in my case).  I have had a couple of warped canopies and car chassis that have been fixed with it.  Definitely an essential tool for model building...and I use it at work also for heat shrink tubing and solder sleeves.  Also works well for softening Nylo-Flo tubing just enough to get to slide onto pitot and static system fittings easier.

 

Heat shrink tubing, such amazing and useful stuff.  Always keep a selection of it handy.  :)

Before this thread I didn't know adjustable  temperature heat guns existed.  The ones I had seen were basically two temperatures, high and low.  Both of which had more air and heat than was good for the plastic. 

Always great to learn about options and alternatives for tools!

Good idea.