Can you make curvy visors with a heatgun?

[GuntahKela]

I use my kitchen oven to form simple plexyglass visors for my helmets. This process is very limited, because it only allows me to add simple curves. My question is: If I lay the plexyglas sheet on a plaster plug will the plexyglass adopt the shape of the plug if I apply enough heat from a heatgun?

Isn't this how they make the bubble lenses on trooper helmets?

I have no access to a vac-form machine.

 

[Raffles]

Yes it will form to the shape but make sure the former is smooth or it will transfer the detail to the sheet. I formed the lenses for my TIE helmet this way, just make sure you wear leather gloves and you can press the plastic down onto the former.

 

[Reaper57]

also i have made contoured visors from plastic clear or smoked tag covers from WALMART AUTO.
i used a blow dryer and sometimes boiling water or steam over a pot.

john :cool

 

[greenguy]

also i have made contoured visors from plastic clear or smoked tag covers from WALMART AUTO.
i used a blow dryer and sometimes boiling water or steam over a pot.

john :cool

Freaking genius...never thought of using plastic tag covers! :thumbsup

 

[GuntahKela]

The plexyglass that I use is 1/8" thick. Would it make a difference if I use any other type of plastic, such as lexan or anything else that is available?

Does plastruct make thinner, thinted plastic sheets?

Thanks, guys.

 

[Great_Bizarro]

You will need to experiment with different thicknesses and see what heat / time combination works with each. Also if you try to form polycarbonate plastic you need to be aware it is like a sponge and in a humid climate needs to be dried at a lower heat than you form it at to evaporate the water from the plastic or it will bubble when heated to forming temp. Also be aware all plastics will burn at a high enough temp and the smoke is toxic. Kinda ruins the oven for keish afterwards. I ran a plastic forming company for about 5yrs and found out all kinds of fun things.

 

[KnightAsylum]

also i have made contoured visors from plastic clear or smoked tag covers from WALMART AUTO.
i used a blow dryer and sometimes boiling water or steam over a pot.

john :cool

That is a great idea (as someone already said) I never thought of using the plate covers.
Darn you for giving me a Homer Simpson "DOH" moment. Life gives me ample chances to look "a little slow" without you adding to the mix.
Thanks for the suggestion (I know it wasn't the point of the thread so I'm sorry for the off-topic reply GK.)
I have only tried bending simple curves with boiling water as the heat source (cause it is cheap) but I would think with a heatgun, a quality form to use, and some practice you could do just about anything with your visors.

 

[James Kenobi 1138]

What is a tag cover?

 

[KnightAsylum]

A plastic cover you can screw on over your car license plate to "be cool".
In some states the smoked ones are illegal (to use on your car) so if you live in one of those states you may have to get it online instead of a store, but it is a cheap, workable plastic, that is a good size for visor work, and pre-tinted.

 

[GuntahKela]

I grew curious of what this tag cover looked like, and the best thing I found was a skimpy pic of Rachel Ray on Google images, lol.

Does anyone recomend a heatgun brand or model?

Any pics of anyone's visor work with heatgun?

 

[Darth Lars]

I am looking for a way to make a large smoked visor, for a Rebel fleet trooper helmet. Would a tag cover be too small for that one?
I have a convex plaster mold made from the interior of the helmet shell and I have tried to form plexi visors in the oven, but so far I have not had much luck. The plastic tends to warp as there is nothing holding it down.