How to BEND PLASTIC PROFESSIONALLY! shows a DIY 2' strip heater bending 1/32 Styrene in 30 sec.! I'm using 1/2" Marinite for the surface and underlayment with .020 NiChrome wire at ONLY 16v AC! Add a 15 amp rheostat and it's bending time! This typically powers 2 or 4 foot strip heaters with ease. FYI 35v AC powers a 4' heater using a pair of .020 twisted NiChrome wires. You must use an AC voltage reduction unit to DROP 120v to 16v for a 2 foot unit and about 35v AC for a 4 foot strip heater. Always start at a lower voltage and work your way up slowly to test your exact wires twisted resistance! Bend most plastics 1/32 to 1/4" ( just under 1mm to 6mm+) with an incredibly professional results achieving impeccable consistency for awesome home projects!! BTW, you'll need some timers and a small fan to cool the strip heater between each bend cycle. One timer to know when your ready to flip any thicker plastic and one for final bend timing, VERY IMPORTANT! DO NOT GUESS at TIMING due to FIRE chance from over heating!

These alligator leads are HOT with light voltage AC! DO NOT TOUCH THESE IN USE!

Also: If you cant touch the edge of a precycled already "cooled strip heater" (near the ditch for the NiChrome wire) cool it further till you can touch that area! A cheap temperature gun can be a massive help in getting to know heating and cooling times. Their especially helpful in understanding heat soak and cooling times needed using Marinite.

* Failure to cool Maranite properly or improper long heating time can lead to plastic sticking, molten plastic dripping down on the HOT wire and possible fire!!!

SAFETY 1ST! Take proper safety measures, have a fire extinguisher handy and never leave a running strip heater for any reason! TIME EVERY CYCLE heating/cool down! BE SAFE and ENJOY seriously pro results.