Melting PVC for projects

[joeranger]

I did not want to hijack the Avatar door gun thread, but I have had difficulty working with PVC other than cutting, sanding and some basic shaping.

Is there a certain technique for pvc other than a respirator and ventilation

Melt in oven? My next project is going to be a Ma Duece mount and pvc would be ideal for some of the parts.

 

[Hogosha]

Depending what you want to do, it can be shaped by pouring hot sand into it. it will soften the PVC, and the sand will support it. You can lay it over a jig, then spray it with the hose. Just heat the sand in a pot on the stove, or the BBQ outside.

 

[Idaho Jones]

For electrical work we use a propane torch to heat the pipe, being carefull not to burn it. If you hold it over your grill and rotate it like a rotissery, it will get soft. For larger diameter pipe on cold days stuff a rag in the ends to keep the heat inside.

 

[Farmboy]

All the barrel shrouds for my Avatar gun were done with an electric heat gun and/or a ceramic kiln with exposed elements.