Armor shaping tips

[automaton]

Hey Everyone,

 

I'm working on getting my armor all together. I have a set from MC. I'm a pretty skinny little guy and I think I'm going to need to shape the bicep and forearm pieces to fit better around my twiggy little arms. I have a heat gun but am worried about ruining the parts when they are heated. Any tips on doing this? Is there a fairly large temperature range between them getting more flexible and them totally losing their shape? Or once they get to the temperature where they start to be moldable to they quickly turn into a loose piece of ABS?

 

Thanks,

-A

[Dart]

Make sure you've also got some gloves as the plastic can get hot. ABS doesn't heat progressively even, meaning that it gets soft one second and then it's really soft, no in-between. ABS takes a bit of time with constant heat to get to it's "bending" point, so be patient.

 

Just take yer heat gun and evenly blow hot air back and forth, both sides for a bit of time until the plastic starts to give a bit. Have a can (or a towel on your arm so you can mold it to yourself) ready and when the plastic is just soft enough, carefuly (but quickly) bend it and hold it until it cools down some.

 

Be mindful of where you're bending the material as you'll want an even bend and not just a single point to bend. That way, you're not overly weakening the material and at the same time, you're keeping the shape without any weird angles or corners occuring.

 

Good luck!