TECH TIP #4
PLASTIC SPRUE
by Jim Sorensen
......This is an e-mail request from a young modeler.
Safety note: If you're under the age of 18, please have an adult help you with this, preferably the adult who pays the fire insurance on the place you're in and will have to explain to the Fire Dept. what happened.
	SNIP A CLEAN PIECE OF TREE (NO NUBS) AT LEAST 3-4" LONG. (ANY SHORTER AND YOU BETTER HAVE ASBESTOS FINGERS) I'VE FOUND REVELL TREES TO HAVE THE LONGEST CLEAN AREAS AND THE BEST PLASTIC FOR MAKING SPRUE. SAVE THE TREES FROM YOUR BUILT MODELS, OR BUM THEM FROM YOUR FRIENDS.
	TO MAKE THE CANDLE STAND, I USED A SMALL PIECE OF METAL FOR THE BASE, BUT GLASS OR ANY THIN STIFF MATERIAL WILL WORK. PLACE SEVERAL DROPS OF HOT WAX ON THE BASE AND STICK THE CANDLE DOWN. THIS WILL MAKE THE CANDLE HARDER TO KNOCK OVER.
	HOLD THE PIECE OVER THE FLAME, ROTATING CONTINUOUSLY. USE CAUTION NOT TO LET THE PLASTIC GET HOT ENOUGH TO BUBBLE, SMOKE OR START ON FIRE.
	CONTINUE TO ROTATE THE PIECE UNTIL THE CENTER BEGINS TO SOFTEN AND SAG.
	EXTINQUISH THE FLAME AND SLOWLY START TO PULL THE PLASTIC APART. SPEED WILL DETERMINE THE THICKNESS. THE QUICKER, THE THINNER.
	CUT THE ENDS OFF LEAVING ABOUT A 1" TAIL. SAVE THE ENDS, YOU'LL NEED THEM*. CUT THE SPRUE INTO 5-6" LENGTHS, LONGER IF NEEDED, AND STORE THEM FLAT AND STRAIGHT.
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