like the question says. I have never done that before but I am wondering if one kind of candle works better than others. And could one use a lighter if you don’t have a candle.
I think that any candle wil do but I often use tealights because they are cheap.
A lit candle works best.
A lighter can be used, but you will want to twirl the sprue above the flame for even heating and best results. I generally hold & twirl my sprue in both hands. Using a lighter in one hand may make manipulationa bit more difficult.
A candle is preferred because it allows you to use both hands and when in a proper holder it doesn’t tip over easily. One just has to experiment to develop the technique. I will point out that some styrene does lend to stretching better to others. Again you must practice to find which is better. I keep those sprue trees which are best suited for stretching. I also find that it is best to use the same sprue from the model being assemble (if it stretches well) for us as filler.
Pull FAST = Thin Diameter
Pull SLOW = Thick Diameter
Pull my finger = [xx(]
It also depends on what time of year it is. In November you might want to go with a “Spiced Pumpkin” candle or even “Cinnamon Apple”. To go with “Evergreen” just might be pushing things a little bit.
Eric
My Zippo always gets the job done great.
Its obvious that Eric has a model glue scented candle in his workshop. [:D]
Any lit candle is sufficient, and if you don’t have a candle go buy one(it’s something everyone should have in their house.) But something that works too, is incense sticks. They don’t have a flame, but once you light one they get pretty hot near the ends.
Ha-ha-ha! No but that’s an excellent idea! Candle scents for men: Styrene, glue, enamel, freshly opened box, etc.
Lets not forget the exotic aromas…stale beer, pizza left overs, cigar…
I build in my garage, which is built under my house. In the past when painting there was almost allways an odor going into the house. My wife told me to lite a candle to help with the smell. What i found is burnning those scented oils (this may sound a little lite ) kills the odor. Tea candle’s with the oils solved my problems and i used it melt the sprue to make my antenna.
And the previously mentioned… Pull My Finger. I would love to see a TV commercial for that one.
So from the replies I take it any candle will do size or type does’nt really matter.
So it’s off to dollor general then to get some cheap candles.
Tea lights mostly, occasional votive candles if I run out of tea lights… But tea lights allow the use the aluminum foil cup for scratch-building parts too… Plus, they’re cheap, about 2 bucks for 24 or so…
I’ve used the same pale green 2"x4" round candle for about 10 years now. I also give my spruce a twist as I pull it seems to keep it consistent.
I use tea lights. My parents bought a bag of 50 for like $5, years ago. So when I was over visiting, a few weeks ago, I repurposed a few - for the greater good, of course [H].
I actually just did my first stretched sprue last week. I managed to get myself a nice, thin, 3’ piece. Now I’ve got enough antenna for my current build [:D].
-Fred
Well, as a follower of Alton Brown (Food Network) I’m a firm believe in multi-tasker tools. So I use an alcohol lamp. No nasty black carbon from the wick to mess with. And I can use it for other purposes. Like glass tube drawing, or annealing, or all kinds of other stuff. But it does get hotter than a candle so you really have to watch what you’re doing with plastic of any type.
As for the favorite man’s candle scent. The Pull-my-finger scent comes from just a few inches back from the scent I prefer.
I second the alcohol lamp and I’m glad I’m not the only Alton fan here. LOL
Cut the wick back to about 1/4" to further economise the dollar store tea lights.