discussion Making aerials from sprues...

[John Race]

I must be the odd one here. I use a lighter, I hold the sprue in one hand and twist it as I heat it. When it sags/bends I just put the lighter down and GENTLY stretch the sprue. If it is to hot you will get hair thin threads, to cold and it just snaps.
Also worth looking for are the plastic ID on the sprues. There are sometimes a mix of plastic types. Ones marked PS (for polystyren) make the best sprue.
Note of interest. Tubes and profiles can also be pulled. Done with a bit of care, the profile is maintained.
I always found a candle sooted things up and funk up the air in the room.

Just seen this Ian, I've tried many times to make an arial , failed each and every time. Either melt or catch fire !

 

[Jim R]

Either melt or catch fire !

Maybe you shouldn't use a flame thrower. Perhaps a blow lamp would give you more success

 

[Tim Marlow]

Knowing pyro, and his Russian proclivities , he probably uses a Molotov cocktail…..