Mal's Pistol - Shaped like Banana ..... HELP!!!

[darkev2]

Hello Folks

I purchased a resin 3 piece kit of Mal's Pistol and after letting it sit in the box for a long while now I have gotten up the courage to build it. The reason why I have put it off until now is that the thing has an overall droop (Barrel and Body) that reminds one of a "banana"!! :cry

Now I think I can fix the drooping barrel but the body is another matter entirely and well I need some suggestions. If you hold a metal ruler along the top of the pistol there is a almost 1/8 inch gap between the bottom of the ruler and the top of the body of the pistol where the barrel is attached to the body of the pistol. Add this deflection to the drooping barrel and you have the Banana.

Anyone out there have similar issue with their pistol and if so "how" did you fix it. I have a feeling it may require cutting the thing apart at the mold lines and using some shims, some bondo spot putty and a whole lot of sanding. A process I really "REALLY" don't want to do.

Thanks

DarKev2

 

[Too Much Garlic]

Put it on a slim flat surface and place it on top of a radiator for a few months and let it drop into a correct straight position by itself. That's about the only suggestion I can think of right now, other than using a heat gun and trying to force it into shape.

 

[Nwerke]

If it is urethane resin then use a heat gun, or drop it into very hot water for five or ten minutes - it will soften.

If it has warped over time due to heat, then it should return to the correct shape without needing to be forced, or with just a little bit of persuasion.

 

[darkev2]

Hello Nwerke

Well I finally went and tried what you suggested below. I got the biggest pan in the house (turkey roaster) put it on the stove over two burners and had enough water in it to deep soak the piece. I let the water boil and then turned it off. I then set the pistol in it for about 3 minutes. The pistol became easily bendable but not overly soft, like a very firm piece of rubber. Well after some work and two more re-soaks the barrel and body are as straight as I can get them. The barrel is almost perfect except for a molding flare at the end which has to be sanded flat. The body is far better and one can only tell it still has a minor bend by holding a straight edge to it (say a 1/16 droop) which is good enough for me.

Thanks for the Suggestions!!

DarKev2

If it is urethane resin then use a heat gTun, or drop it into very hot water for five or ten minutes - it will soften.

If it has warped over time due to heat, then it should return to the correct shape without needing to be forced, or with just a little bit of persuasion.

 

[Nwerke]

My pleasure. Good to hear you had a good result!