How to Bend Acrylic

Step-by-Step Guide

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   Step 1: Gather the supplies you need in order to bend the acrylic with a heat gun.Sheet of acrylic large enough for your needs A heat gun

   If you are creating an enclosure, then you need to do the math to determine its size and where you need to bend it to make your desired shape.You may need tools such as a ruler or other measuring stick, a square, a compass, or a protractor to find these dimensions.
   
   Once you have calculated your dimensions, mark them up on the acrylic so that you know where to cut.
   
   A Chinagraph pencil or permanent marker works well, but the marker will not be able to be removed.
   
   If you want any holes in your acrylic enclosure, it is better to drill or cut them into it before bending, as this process is easier while the acrylic is still flat. , Cut the jig to help you bend the acrylic to the correct calculations, if necessary.This is where you can use the circular or table saw, if you are cutting a jig.
   
   A jig is a box or frame meant for holding a material and guiding a machine tool to the material.The jig will be cut at a particular height and and its edge at a particular angle, based on your calculations, so that you bend the acrylic correctly.
   
   Make sure you have a spare piece of scrap wood to help you with the heat bending process.
   
   You will use it to push on the acrylic while it is heated. , Heating is a slow process in order to make sure that you get a straight bend in the acrylic.Use the spare piece of flat scrap wood to push the acrylic back and down while you aim the heat gun at the acrylic.
   
   Make your pressure on the acrylic as even as possible while you push.
   
   Move the heat gun slowly side-to-side while you push back and down on the acrylic.
   
   Note that the acrylic will likely bend slowly at first, but the more heated it becomes, the more quickly in will bend.
   
   You may eventually need to only push down with the scrap wood in order to achieve a straight bend. , This will be necessary if you are making an enclosure out of the acrylic, for example, but it will not be necessary in every situation.
   
   If you have no further bends to make, then move on to the next step, or you may be done with your project at this time.
   
   It will be helpful to allow each bend to completely cool before going onto the next bend so that you do not lose the initial bend. , Lay the bent acrylic on its side on a new piece of flat acrylic and trace the sides using a permanent marker or Chinagraph pencil.
   
   Cut the side pieces out using a Dremel saw or razor knife when you are done tracing.It is important to trace each side of the bent acrylic.
   
   Do not assume that both sides are the exact same shape. , This can be a tricky process.
   
   Be very careful while bending the acrylic and cutting your side pieces, as the acrylic glue requires perfect seams in order set correctly.The acrylic glue requires at least five minutes to set, so it is recommended to clamp the enclosure together to help it set correctly.
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   Step 2: which is an electrical tool that heats and softens a variety of materials Scrap wood Cutting tools

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   Step 3: such as a Dremel saw

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   Step 4: circular saw

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   Step 5: table saw

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   Step 6: and/or razor knifeA vise and clamps Chinagraph pencil

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   Step 7: also known as a grease pencil

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   Step 8: or permanent marker Acrylic glue and an applicator;

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   Step 9: Determine the dimensions of what you are creating with the bent acrylic.

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    Step 10: Set your acrylic between two pieces of scrap wood

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    Step 11: one of which is your jig

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    Step 12: and clamp it all together using the vise.

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    Step 13: Prepare your heat gun for bending the acrylic.

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    Step 14: Repeat the heating process if you have additional bends to make in the sheet of acrylic.

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    Step 15: Trace the sides of your newly bent piece of acrylic in order to make the side pieces.

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    Step 16: Set the bent acrylic piece and the cut sides together with acrylic glue and the applicator.

Detailed Guide

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