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Video: How to bend methacrylate for classic arcade control panel (By Mikonos)

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Joey Butafuko:
I'm really enjoying your video's Mikonos  :applaud:

The other one drilling the holes is great too.

OnezerO:
Man, thanx for the post and especially for the video Mikonos.  I wish I had seen this several months ago when I was going thru the agony of bending my plexiglass.

After a couple a few frustrating attempts I finally achieved an acceptable bend.  However, the plexi I bent is 31" in length and getting an even amount of heat across that width so that it can bend evenly was tough.

Hopefully, I will be posting my completed project soon.

SavannahLion:

--- Quote from: Ed_McCarron on October 05, 2008, 05:58:09 pm ---Heat gun.  You can bend polycarbonate (Lexan) the same way, but be careful - too hot and the moisture in the sheet flashes to steam and bubbles the material.
--- End quote ---

I wish someone told me that before I ruined a piece doing that. I haven't tried again with Poly (went to a different choice instead) but I since learned that you need to "bake" the Poly before bending. From what I can gather, an oven set to the lowest temperature and the door slightly open (akin to making beef jerky) is supposed to draw moisture out of the plastic.

Since I have a really tough time making beef jerky in my own oven, I haven't bothered to attempt the same with poly.

pinballwizard79:
LOL @ LEW



--- Quote from: leapinlew on October 04, 2008, 11:55:12 am ---
--- Quote from: patrickl on October 04, 2008, 11:25:41 am ---It's the name of the material that plexiglas is made from.

--- End quote ---

Really? Cause it sounds like something I would get arrested for having in my possession.



--- End quote ---

Ed_McCarron:

--- Quote from: SavannahLion on November 05, 2008, 06:13:03 pm ---
--- Quote from: Ed_McCarron on October 05, 2008, 05:58:09 pm ---Heat gun.  You can bend polycarbonate (Lexan) the same way, but be careful - too hot and the moisture in the sheet flashes to steam and bubbles the material.
--- End quote ---

I wish someone told me that before I ruined a piece doing that. I haven't tried again with Poly (went to a different choice instead) but I since learned that you need to "bake" the Poly before bending. From what I can gather, an oven set to the lowest temperature and the door slightly open (akin to making beef jerky) is supposed to draw moisture out of the plastic.

Since I have a really tough time making beef jerky in my own oven, I haven't bothered to attempt the same with poly.


--- End quote ---

I've tried it.  The oven never controls the temp tight enough.  I baked a piece at 150 deg and it bubbled while still in the oven.  Plus, it stinks up the kitchen and annoys anyone else who uses the oven.

Just take your time, and keep the heat gun moving.

EDit:  And by take your time, it took me 2 hours to bend a 18" wide piece 45 degrees over a form, heating from both sides with one gun.

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