On 6/10/2014 8:15 PM, Steve W. wrote:
Tom Gardner wrote:
On 6/7/2014 1:24 PM, Steve W. wrote:
Tom Gardner wrote:
I need to build a method of heating part of a plastic handle, kinda'
like this one:

http://www.amazon.com/Better-Brush-U.../dp/B006GP591I

I need to bend it 20 degrees at the neck. I have a few heating
elements from water heaters or I'll buy the best candidate, whatever I
can control. Or, I'd buy the hole kit-n-ca-bootle off the shelf. Any
suggestions?
Well for repeatability I'd opt for simplicity. Make up 2-3 removable
forms using some light steel. U shaped channel with a pin to go through
the hole. At the point you need the bend, bend the sheet metal to the
correct angle.
For the bending, use two heat guns with heat directors to spread the
heat around the handle in the area of the bend.

Connect the guns up to a simple speed controller so you can control the
heat.

In use the handle gets stuck in the form, form and handle go into air
blast between guns. Heat softens the plastic enough that it bends down
to match the form. Once it bends into place the operator pulls the
form/handle out of the blast and sets it onto a cooling rack. Then it's
simply a matter of repeating the process as needed.



You make it sound so simple....

Could be. I've bent some plastics over the years...



I had to do 5 samples today, they took 3 minutes apiece to heat with my
good heat gun. I can see how to do it better now.