Hello A!
On 01 May 96, A WELCH wrote to ALL:
 AW> Has anyone had to form their own canopy by melting tranparent plastic
 AW> sheets over a mold?  I know there was an article on doing this in a 
odel
 AW> magazine years ago.  I'd like some advice on how it's done and how the
 AW> mold is made.
The mold must be carved from wood.  It should be carved slightly undersized 
to allow for the thickness of the plastic.  After carving and sanding it to 
perfection, coat it with primer or wood filler to fill the grain and sand it 
to perfection again.
The mold should be mounted on a stick or something that will hold it about 
18" off of the work surface, and it should be smaller than the bottom of the 
mold.
Mount the plastic into a frame.  Put the plastic in a warm oven and heat it 
until it starts to sag from it's own weight.  If it starts to show bubbles or 
drips, discolors, or flames, it's too hot.
Once the plastic sags, immediately remove it from the oven and lower the 
frame over the mold.
I'm not sure if a mold release is needed, but I don't think so.
C-ya! Rich
--- GoldED 2.40
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** A related thread FOLLOWS this message.

FIDO MESSAGE AREA==> TOPIC: 131 RADIO CONTROL Ref: D5340796 Date: 05/03/96
From: A WELCH                                               Time: 04:13am
\/To: RICH LOCKYER                                        (Read 3 times)
Subj: R: FORMING CANOPIES

 
RL>drips, discolors, or flames, it's too hot.
RL>Once the plastic sags, immediately remove it from the oven and lower the
RL>frame over the mold.
RL>I'm not sure if a mold release is needed, but I don't think so.
RL>C-ya! Rich
RL>--- GoldED 2.40
 
Thanks.  This sounds like the article I read years ago.  Actually, I'm
wanting to mold the plastic for a radio dial on an antique radio.  It
should be less difficult than the canopy.
Does the frame attach to the plastic?  I'm wondering if a heat gun couldn't
be used, rather than an oven?
Wouldn't the plastic melt onto the frame?
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FIDO MESSAGE AREA==> TOPIC: 131 RADIO CONTROL Ref: D5300001 Date: 04/30/96
From: MICHAEL COOMBS                                        Time: 9:14 am
\/To: STEPHANE ROUGEAU                                    (Read 3 times)
Subj: LMH-100

  I just read a article on your heli that you told me about.
That is a very unusual machine.
The Arlton Gyro is the oddest thing I ever saw.
I have never seen a unit built in this way.
If she flies good for you than that is the correct machine to learn on.
Just wanted to let you know that I saw the article in RC Modeler.
Have fun,keep in touch,and keep those blades spinning.
                                           Michael Coombs
--- DLG Pro v1.1/DLGMail
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