fiveliter8
Active Member
I got all the pattern pieces cut out (except for the pieces that will have to be patterned to attach to anything that has to be heat curved first like the watagami.) It always amazes me how much square footage can be compressed into a few short stacks of cut parts.
https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4662/26683753138_a0d824655e_b.jpg
I experimented with using heat to curve the plastic plates using scraps in my oven. The 300° test worked best, but I got too much pliability at the ends. I may experiment with moving the parts further from the element, or tweaking the temp or time a little bit.
https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4715/39844380374_cf02b1c0eb_b.jpg
I also experiented with various adhesives to attach the rubber trim edging to the ABS. I found that good old cyanoacrylate works best. The glue and rubber worked fine over strait edges, gentle and tight curves, and even around a sharp corner when notched. And the rubber flexes with the pieces after being glued on.
I used Gold Rub'b'buff on the rubber and found a method that worked pretty well.
https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4752/26683753068_22c0855c0e_h.jpg
For the ends when tyring the 300 deg. method, might try making foil caps to place over them. That might reduce the warping there. Looking great so far!