There are some imperfections in those sides. Some imprints of the blanket and some tapering of the end from the clamp. But keep in mind this was the first time I ever tried it. Probably should have not let it get as hot as it did and turned off the blanket when it started to bend. I think the blanket is something like 5 watts a sq. inch. It gets pretty hot pretty fast actually. You will just have to experiment with it on your own like I did. It worked for my purpose even with the imperfections.
I like the idea of a mold but how do you not get imperfections in the warm plastic? It looks like you left the protective paper on the acrylic. Is that all you need between the acrylic and the heating blanket? Also I checked out omegas website for the heating blankets. Which model did you use. Do you really need such a low wattage? Yours took a long time to warm the acrylic. A higher wattage would speed up the process but would it burn the plastic from heating up too fast?
@edadmartin I made my own temp. control from a 1 hour wall light timer and a harbor freight router speed control and a wire mold box mounted to a stand. Might be around $40. Depends on whether you get the speed control on sale or not.
I've been bouncing the idea of making a plexiglas guitar in my head for a while, but I've never figured out a way to bend the sides. This looks perfect, but I don't have the money to build myself a bender like that seeing at i only want to build one guitar. any chance, I could order 2 sides made from you?
@chrispaulick I think if the blanket were positioned on the non-mirrored side, the mirror would reflect heat and warm the plastic as if the plastic were sandwiched between two heat blankets. Same cautions would apply if using two blankets..
That was 1/4" and 5 watts for the blanket. The blanket will get hot enough to heat soften the plexi. The 2.5 will too but just takes a little longer the heat up.
There are some imperfections in those sides. Some imprints of the blanket and some tapering of the end from the clamp. But keep in mind this was the first time I ever tried it. Probably should have not let it get as hot as it did and turned off the blanket when it started to bend. I think the blanket is something like 5 watts a sq. inch. It gets pretty hot pretty fast actually. You will just have to experiment with it on your own like I did. It worked for my purpose even with the imperfections.
chrispaulick 10 months ago
I like the idea of a mold but how do you not get imperfections in the warm plastic? It looks like you left the protective paper on the acrylic. Is that all you need between the acrylic and the heating blanket? Also I checked out omegas website for the heating blankets. Which model did you use. Do you really need such a low wattage? Yours took a long time to warm the acrylic. A higher wattage would speed up the process but would it burn the plastic from heating up too fast?
billsmalibu 10 months ago
hi you may have answered this ,but did you make the temp controler or buy the expensive LMI unit thanks greg
edadmartin 1 year ago
@edadmartin I made my own temp. control from a 1 hour wall light timer and a harbor freight router speed control and a wire mold box mounted to a stand. Might be around $40. Depends on whether you get the speed control on sale or not.
chrispaulick 1 year ago
I've been bouncing the idea of making a plexiglas guitar in my head for a while, but I've never figured out a way to bend the sides. This looks perfect, but I don't have the money to build myself a bender like that seeing at i only want to build one guitar. any chance, I could order 2 sides made from you?
iscareuiknowit 1 year ago
Did you make that bendingmachine yourself? Looks great.
JustWonderingHowToDo 2 years ago
Yes, It's a take off of the Fox bender. The waist press is removable for storage.
chrispaulick 2 years ago
Would this work with acrylic mirror? Or would it damage it?
gunsofmemorialpark 2 years ago
I have no idea. You would have to test it yourself.
chrispaulick 2 years ago
@chrispaulick I think if the blanket were positioned on the non-mirrored side, the mirror would reflect heat and warm the plastic as if the plastic were sandwiched between two heat blankets. Same cautions would apply if using two blankets..
1foxtrot70 1 year ago
hey, just wondering what thickness you were bending, and what wattage you ordered from omega. is there a way of knowing exactly?
I'm not sure if 2.5, 5, or 10 watts will bend 1/2".
thanks.
madleehayes 2 years ago
That was 1/4" and 5 watts for the blanket. The blanket will get hot enough to heat soften the plexi. The 2.5 will too but just takes a little longer the heat up.
chrispaulick 2 years ago
There are a few sources of the heat blankets. I bought mine from Omega Industries.
chrispaulick 2 years ago
Hi, Great Videos ! Did you purchase the heating blankets, Or are they DIY ? If purchased where would I buy them ? Thanks
bwayne641 2 years ago