DIY Acrylic Plastic Bending Machine

As a DIYer it's always fun to fiddle with small yet handy projects. Last weekend I decided to use my scrap particle board to make a small plastic bending machine with as fewer parts as possible. finally I managed to make a small 11 by 9 inch Book shape plastic bender which can be slide under desk to store till next use.

I had few left over particle board (chip board) pieces, I managed to find 3 identical pieces of 11 inch by 4.5 which I decided to use. After placing 2 pieces side by side with almost 20mm gap the first step was to attach those two pieces with a hinge, unfortunately I couldn't find small hinges but found 4" door hinge in scrap. I marked that into 2 half and using angle grind cut them into two. Using Philip wooden screws I attached hinges with about 8 inch gap.

Next step was to secure particle board from high 400 watt header lamp, which can easily burn board. To secure it I decided to use one 11 inch aluminium angle (1"x1" 2mm thick) and a 8 inch tin strip. I marked and cut aluminium with STANLEY 150MM 6" JUNIOR MINI HACKSAW which is really handy and helpful in small projects. using Stanley Aviation Tin Snips I cut 8 inch tin strip which I placed in top piece inseam using 4 small 1 inch nails.

Also I cut another 11 inch aluminium angle (1"x1" 2mm thick) and attached it on top side of board it will help later to bend plastic to prefect 90 degree.

Next step was to add limit switch, I wanted to turn machine on when its open and stop working when it should close therefore I decided to use limit switch, after testing different limit switch I found Omron V15G1A5K Micro Switch Pin Plunger a better choice. I did not want to use nail or way to trigger limit switch therefore I decided to twist its tin arm using alligator pliers to about 75 degree. It really worked flawlessly.

Next I tie limit switch wire with hot glue around the board and on other end attached female thimble pin using 7 In 1 Tool Pro'sKit 8PK-3163 which is really economical, robust and reliable tool.

Later I added 400 watt 200 mm HALOGEN Heater Replacement Tube element bulb from my old electric heater. I secured both (lamp) ends with thimble cover and stick them using hot glue, I used hot glue on sides which worked even with 2 min work. then I added an electric wire with lamp and limit switch. for more safety I added another switch in wire in case limit switch malfunction.

After Checking Now it was time to test machine, I took a scrap red acrylic sheet mark edges with black marker and with hex saw trim edges. after that I converted that sheet into a small tray. check out attached video.