Useful tooling that seemed to vanish...

[peteski]

The oven is a great idea!

I think hot water is even better - I think you have more control over the temperature and more even heating.  Oven=melted plastic (at least in my mind).  I know, the oven is supposed to be turned of before the procedure, but still . . .

[Doug G.]

I agree with warm/hot water.

The Rowa passenger car molds were "lost".

Doug

[thomasjmdavis]

I think hot water is even better - I think you have more control over the temperature and more even heating.  Oven=melted plastic (at least in my mind).  I know, the oven is supposed to be turned of before the procedure, but still . . .

I was following instructions I read somewhere.  Used an oven thermometer (not the knob on the stove) to determine temperature.  Max temp was 100 and something F (forget exactly, would have to look it up, but was hot enough to soften styrene but below melting temp).  All I can say is that it worked.  YMMV. 

I can see water having advantages as well.  I have flattened some resin pieces in the 140 F water out of the tap.  As you say, easier to maintain a given temp. 

[peteski]

I was following instructions I read somewhere.  Used an oven thermometer (not the knob on the stove) to determine temperature.  Max temp was 100 and something F (forget exactly, would have to look it up, but was hot enough to soften styrene but below melting temp).  All I can say is that it worked.  YMMV. 

I can see water having advantages as well.  I have flattened some resin pieces in the 140 F water out of the tap.  As you say, easier to maintain a given temp.

Not everything read "somewhere" (I assume Internet) is good (or best) advice.    But it is good to know that we all seem to agree about the advantage of using water.

[thomasjmdavis]

I'm hoping that model quality is such that none of us will ever have the opportunity to do a study with statistically significant quantities to make a determination of best practices in flattening warped thermoplastic shells.

[nkalanaga]

I do miss the Walthers log flats, although the 6 I have are enough.  My logging company could use another dozen, to replace CC 50 ft flatcars with bunks added.