Hi ya All I need some help i have read about stretched sprue but i have had some real problems stretching the dam stuff . Is there some sort of special technic to this cause i have tried fast heating and pulling, slow heat and twisting and pulling and nothing just breaks in half.
please help me.

PS i am not actually trying to recreate something at the mo just trying to add a skill.

redleg

Hi Redleg...Well what I do is hold a lighter quite far away from the sprue so that it doesn't turn black from the flame ..I rotate the sprue to heat it all around...when the sprue acctually bends by itself I then slowly begin to pull the sprue apart ...I'd say this technique works 9 times out of ten ,so I'm satisfied..

hth
Rick

I know what you mean Redleg, there is a knack to it! I always use a candle I keep on my bench so that I have two hands. With my left hand hold the sprue over the flame about 2 inches along the sprue (the flame). Turn it slowly, and when it begins to droop, put it on the bench top and with your right hand, gently pull apart. Keep still and flat on the bench top, gently blow it until cool, (a few seconds), and you've got it!

Vinnie

Redleg,

A always hold the sprue over the heat source at aabout a 45 degree angle. When the sprue droops on its own, stretch it. The faster you pull, the thinner the strand.

Sounds like you may be trying to stretch it before it is hot enough.

HTH,

Shaun

EDIT: You guys beat me...

Try using styrene from different kits. Some brands strech easily while others just break. Try bending a piece of sprue. If it bends withouth breaking, it should be good for streching.

Thanks for the advice guys i will get practicing


redleg

Hey Redleg,
What I like to use is a small candle. Take a piece of sprue, hold it over the flame 2-3 inches and roll the sprue in your fingers, rolling it will heat evenly. The sprue will exspand over the flame, once it does pull it at a steady fast pace. Once you pull it to length keep it taunt till it cools, a couple seconds should do. The best way it to try it a few time till you get the feel for it. Good luck

Candles and lighters are certainly the cheapest way to do it but if you have a wife like mine that does quite a bit of art and craft, you can dig up the old heat gun. It works like a charm.

That's exactly what I was going to offer. Older Academy kits especially- they have notoriously bad sprue.