Perspex Pen Stand

[Lons]

Bob is there any special treatment for bending perspex??? I appreciate that heat will have to be applied somehow.

Dead easy Terry

Straight bends are best with a line bender, just a heating element between 2 slabs of asbestolux (non asbestos) or any non combustable material. I made one years ago with an old "glass" type element from a fire and 2 bits of roofing undercloak.

However, nearly as easy just to clamp the acrylic between 2 bits of wood in a vice, hold another flat bit of wood along the exposed part and apply heat along the area you want to bend using a heat gun or powerful hairdryer, keep gentle pressure and you'll feel it soften and bend then remove heat, hold for a couple of minutes while it cools and it will stay put. Important to keep the heat moving and not too much or you can scorch the acrylic.

If you want more complicated bends you can make a former, male and female, heat the acrylic in a domestic oven until it reaches plastic state then clamp between the former and allow to cool. I can't remember the oven setting but have the info somewhere and it's freely available on manufacturers websites though exact settings aren't important as long as not too high. e.g. domed rooflights are mede by heating, clamping and either a former pushed in for pointed types or either vacuum formed or blown for simple domes - fascinating to watch.

Acrylic is one of the thermoplastic family which says it all and includes polypropylene, PVC, polycarbonate, and a number of others. I used all of them, and still do, for machine guards, simple picture frames and all sorts of other improvisations. But then I still have quite a lot of offcuts. Great fun!

Bob

 

[Terry]

Dead easy Terry

Straight bends are best with a line bender, just a heating element between 2 slabs of asbestolux (non asbestos) or any non combustable material. I made one years ago with an old "glass" type element from a fire and 2 bits of roofing undercloak.

However, nearly as easy just to clamp the acrylic between 2 bits of wood in a vice, hold another flat bit of wood along the exposed part and apply heat along the area you want to bend using a heat gun or powerful hairdryer, keep gentle pressure and you'll feel it soften and bend then remove heat, hold for a couple of minutes while it cools and it will stay put. Important to keep the heat moving and not too much or you can scorch the acrylic.

Acrylic is one of the thermoplastic family which says it all and includes polypropylene, PVC, polycarbonate, and a number of others. I used all of them, and still do, for machine guards, simple picture frames and all sorts of other improvisations. But then I still have quite a lot of offcuts. Great fun!

Bob

Many thanks Bob. I had a feeling it might be along those lines but I thought the bent bit might look a bit naff like frosted glass if you know what I mean !!!

 

[Lons]

Many thanks Bob. I had a feeling it might be along those lines but I thought the bent bit might look a bit naff like frosted glass if you know what I mean !!!

Nope, it stays clear though stretches a bit but looks ok.

If you have a plastics distibutor, point of display manufacturer of sign company near you they tend to have loads of scrap and you can cadge some foc to play with.

I've heard that you're quite good at cadgeing :wink:

Bob

ps
I added a bit of info to my post after you replied.

 

[Grump]

I think I still have some 8 x 4 and 20 x 10 sheets in my old factory, white, black and grey, varying thicknesses from 4mm to 13mm.
The ABS will only be any good for recycling now as it absorbs moisture, but the polyprop will only need a rub to de-oxidise it and good to go.
Thanks for reminding me I need a new shed roof, will have to take a trip over next time I am unemployed, shed roof sorted and flog the rest.
And a vac forming machine for sale soon.

 

[John Doyle]

perspex stand

As promised, here's a picture of the perspex pen stand I've been making. The component parts can be seen in the inset. The only real problem is that the perspex was an old piece I'd had in the garage and it's protective polythene was missing and there were a few good scratches. I've not glued it up yet so might texture the surface somehow to hide the scratches or even spray it black or white. Then again, I think I've spent enough time on it already!! Now I've got a template though, I could always make one out of wood and just alter the slots to suit.

View attachment 4675

Great effort looks grear