Warped Ameri-Towne Walls

Just a thought and you might have to really be careful, but maybe using a heat gun? Might be able to control things better than using an oven? The oven idea sounds good also, but I don't know the difference between the two materials or their melting points so not sure what to expect there? The Ameri-Towne building walls are definitely thick.

You could boil them for about ten minutes an then place them under weights. Cool the weights in the freezer to cool off the surface detail quickly so that the weights don't distort it.

 

I've had several like that.  In all cases I just plastic welded and clamped them togehter, flattening out the pieces, reinforcing in the corners where the walls meet with extra plastic.  Lots of cement and let it sit a couple of days.  

You might want to try this first.  Ameri-Towne products are marketed through the folks at OGR the last I heard. Fire off an email asking for their assistance.

BE CAREFUL

A you just might be releasing carcinogens with the heat. B. you might get a real stink  in your oven  and your next baked meal may taste like your plastic building.

 

These product should not warp, maybe the manufacturer can replace the parts for you??  got nothing to lose, try asking

Steve

I have had one or two with a mild warp, and I, more or less, did as Lee above.  But I

have wondered if a hairdryer would work, along with weights?

Ed,

 

How old are the warped fronts you have? I ask because when we first started working with our current injection molder, they were trying to run the parts too fast. The result was that some of the pieces would warp. We worked with them and they slowed things down just right so the parts remained straight. We have not had a warping issue for several years...I think!

 

You can try the oven trick on our Ameri-Towne fronts if you wish. Just be careful and don't go any hotter than 250 degrees. The heat gun may work too, however I have not tried that.

 

if you cannot get the warp fixed, email me (publsher  at  ogaugerr.com) with the details and we'll replace them.

I use Ameri-Towne Structures for flat buildings.

 

The warp issue has not been a problem, because when I glue them to the flat surface the warp. just pulls out. Only one wall section was a problem and I had to do this wall over.

 

I can understand your issue, with the corners of the walls not matching up. Clamps, large rubber bands & glue. Do not use your kitchen oven.

 

Good Luck 

I received the buildings about 7 weeks ago. Ordered from a third party distributor.

 

I will try the heat gun and weight solution and let you know how it works.  Will not try oven solution based upon feedback to my posting.

 

Ed

Having use a commercial heat gun on Korber products, you may find the oven a bit more friendly.  It's difficult to get consistent heating, and when it cools thin walls cool faster than thick walls.  Sometimes a straight, flat piece warps again.  Patients.  IMO Worse case send the kit back to OGR.

 

Warped is as warped does....... 

 

Do not use the oven as styrene will outgas from the polystyrene regardless of the process or degree of cross-linking in the polymerization process.  Styrene monomer was recently reported as recommended as a "reasonably anticipated" human carcinogen.

Very good point Martin. Thank you,   Mike

I would use small bar clamps to hold a front and a side wall together. Do use a square to make sure they're perpendicular. This should take out the warp. Apply liquid plastic cement along the inside corner and let it sit for a bit. Do the same for the other two walls. Finally join the 2 halves together.

To avoid all the potential heating and gas release problems, just glue some 3/4" bracing to the backs of the walls. use 5 minute epoxy with clamps or AC glue, clamp then use accelerator to cure it. as long as the bracing is thick enough not to bend your walls will be perfectly straight after the glue cures. this method always works. if you're not using window coverings, spray paint the bracing black so they won't show through the windows.also, make sure you don't get so close to windows that you can't put your acetate window glass on the back and not too close to corners that it restricts putting walls together. however if u want a stronger corner bond you can brace the corners appropriately.

jerrman

As I said earlier, with those I have had, just gluing heavily and clamping for a day while it really sets usually does the trick.