Heat Gun for Ship/Submarine Building Query

[Cobra]

Hey Guys, as You Know, I'm planning to Build a Submarine Model, have some Plastic Sheets,was Wondering if Anyone has used a Heat Gun to Form a Submarine/Ship Hull with the Help of Wooden Dowels? have some of Those too,Thought I'd use Them to Help with Forming the Top and Bottom of the Hulls for my Sub. What Say You? thanks for Looking. Dan

[Captain Canada]

Why not just use plastic pipe ? Lots to choose from at your local hardware store.

[Cobra]

Captain, This is my First Attempt @ Scratch Building. Didn't Consider Pipe, I'm planning to Trace some Sub Hulls so i Can Make the Top and Bottom Halves,but it's going to be Flat Sheets,so i Thought Using a Dowel to Give some Curve to it might Work. Hope I Didn't Confuse You. Dan

[Gondor]

Depending on the final shape you want you could use wooden dowel of various sizes then shape the plastic sheet around your basic structure. Alternatively you could make your hull completely out of wood, no need to just use plastic. Use your imagination and look at anything and everything that has either the shape you want or is near the shape you want then worry about fixing all the parts you have together with glue.

Gondor

[Cobra]

That is my Plan, I'm Thinking a Heat Gun would Work to Bend the Plastic Sheet into Shape,I'm going to be Using The Coffee Scoops i Bought Not Too Long ago for the Conning Tower. I Might Build atleast 3,All Wearing to Badge of the World Aquanaut Security Patrol! The Only Q is What Color to Paint the DSV's for Patrol,Exporation,and Attack. Thanks for the Input,Gondor Dan

[Hobbes]

Cobra, the technique you're referring to is called vacuum-forming. To get the plastic to conform to the mould, you use a vacuum table which pulls the plastic tight around the mould.

For small parts, it's possible to do this without a vacuum table. For large parts, it's going to be difficult to get a smooth surface. You'll also have to be very careful when heating the plastic, it has to be just warm enough to be flexible. If you heat it too much, it will start to flow, and you'll get uneven thickness.