Forum adverts like this one are shown to any user who is not logged in. Join us by filling out a tiny 3 field form and you will get your own, free, dakka user account which gives a good range of benefits to you: No adverts like this in the forums anymore. Times and dates in your local timezone. Full tracking of what you have read so you can skip to your first unread post, easily see what has changed since you last logged in, and easily see what is new at a glance. Email notifications for threads you want to watch closely. Being a part of the oldest wargaming community on the net. If you are already a member then feel free to login now.

Been trying to bend and shape polystyrene but I end up just breaking the rods and dowels into misshapen chunks. I remember reading somewhere that some cats use steam to shape it, and my friend and I were using a gas-powered soddering iron to do the job, but that was a lil excessive. Are there any easy ways to go about this?

Try using a hair dryer or heat gun and bend slowly(build a jig or frame for the bend if you can)

well that depends on the plastic melting point but i think a hair dryer will work fine

I usually just use a candle. With some practice you can eyeball the height above flame to get the plasic as soft as you need.

When my dad was bending planks to restore the hull of a boat, (a real one, not a model!!) We used a great big long bit of sewer pipe (unused!) to put the plank in, capped one end with a small breather hole and pumped steam into the other end. Warmed and softened the wood enough that it could then be nailed into place. could rig up a mini version and have a tube off the kettle spout to steam heat your plastic rods? Just watch the fingers!!!

if you don't mind some wastage, the occasional disaster and frequesnt burnt fingers, a candle is the simplest option

I've used hot water, or a candle flame in the past.

Water for sheets I was trying to get curves in, and the flame method for stretching sprue or rod to get muzzle flashes.