Closer encounter with PE shows me that it would be very nice to have something to help bending things like ladders without creating performance art. There are a number of bending devices out there from Small Shop or RB Productions. Anyone use any of these devices?
Also could use a better PVA. Gator Glue is great for PE if it has something to sit on. It’s not real strong on “tack” though so if you’re installing railings you need something to prop up the PE piece with long enough for the glue to set. Recommendations on PVA that isn’t named Elmer?
I built one very similar to one of the commercial devices. I very rarely use it. Too much time to clamp down the part under it. For 95% of my bends, I use a piece of metal, like the end of a small rule, to hold down the piece and my X-acto knife with 11 blade to actually do the bend.
Check the craft store for Aleene’s Tacky Glue. As the name indicates it is tacky, grabs quickly, holds tight, and cleans up with water. They make a high tack version, but I’ve been satisfied with the plain stuff in the gold bottle.
Another brand to look for is The Ultimate Glue by Crafters Pick. IMO it is same as Gator, which you’ve already had problems with.
I bought the Small Shop 4" Hold and Fold, and am really happy with it. It has four different width fingers, plus a 4" long surface for lengthy parts. It’s a very well made tool. Like Don said, sometimes its easier to just improvise, and I find the metal rule and xacto chisel blade method works well for small parts.
For starters take a look at getting yourself “The Bug” from The Small Shop. If the budget allows and you think you’re going to do a lot of PE work look at one of the other workstations they offer.
Typically most use CA to affix PE to plastic. Its quick and strong.
I know CVA is the weapon of choice and it does have its role. I don’t like the stuff period and for many tasks Gator Glue is far superior - utterly safe, you have a little time and it dries clear. It’s also stronger. I’ll admit that I had to use CVA a few times for railing, but I’d like to improve technique and retire the stuff. The uber-gurus on Warship Modeler, David Griffiths and Jim Baumann both use PVA, Testors plastic cement and mucilage of all things: CVA is considered only the last resort. Phil Foley who runs Promodeller in the UK is also a Gator Glue convert when it comes to PE. That said, I have each major variety of Zap and don’t plan on throwing them away.
Will track down the tacky pva. If I can get just enough to keep the railing upright I can run in a thinned dose of Gator Glue which will dry rock solid and invisibly. That’s what Griffiths does with masking tape - I had a little trouble keeping sections together.
I think Don is probably right. This little gadget I got from the UK (it was $7) is a kind of glorified straight edge. Don’t know if it would help with anything complex, but I finally figured it out and it does ladders pretty well. Functions like a straight piece of metal that you use to hold the PE while you lift the batch up with a razor blade which I think has a little better shape than an Xacto. Still have no idea how people make some of these big parts: maybe a Small Shop gadget would be worth it sometime.
You can bend on a budget too. I often will use things other than those design specifically to accomplish a task…especially if I don’t own said specialty tool.You might find that using two steel rulers of different lengths and widths are more suitable for doing long railings.