have a browning curved plastic buttplate that I need to be straight or flat. Would putting it in boiling water then into a vice and let cool work?

Yes, that should do it. You can try just heating it in a microwave as well. Of course, this assumes it is plastic and not horn.

micro wave didn't work crunbled up in vice.

Maybe a George Foreman grill for the next attempt?

outta buttplates resorted to rubber.

quote:

Originally posted by Nomo4me:
Maybe a George Foreman grill for the next attempt?

A microwave would not work on plastic as there is not enough moisture to create the heat.

Boiling water or oven on 250 degrees F.
Then wax paper on a flat surface and a weight to hold it flat.

Or heat it up the same way then you could screw it down to a 2X4 and dunk in water

New butt plates are cheep from brownells

quote:

A microwave would not work on plastic as there is not enough moisture to create the heat

It's worked for me, but most people think I'm "different".

quote:

You can try just heating it in a microwave as well.

What an idiot; there's no way that would work. What a hack!

Are you talking just the butt plate in the Nuke or the butt plate in a cup of water in the nuke?

I have taken plastic buttplates, reproductions made for vintage shotguns and .22 rifles, put them in the microwave by themselves and heated them up in a minute or two, and gotten them hot enough to bend to a curved stock but.

Don't believe it then don't try it. After all, for all you know my full-time gunsmithing business is just an internet figment of imagination and I just sit around all day posting on sights like this stuff that I make up to entertain myself.

Boiling water works well and if you have to carry it from the kitchen to the shop the water will keep it hot longer.

quote:

Originally posted by Mike Ray:
micro wave didn't work crunbled up in vice.

That'll learn ya about taking internet advice.

quote:

Originally posted by Mike Ray:
micro wave didn't work crunbled up in vice.

Of course a microwave crumbled up in a vise wouldn't work, duh!

my little yellow torch straightened one just fine for me the other day

John I don't know exactly what i did to tick you off. But I by no means mean to.

Now as per the Microwave trick. Let it be stated that my reasoning behind my statement is based on how a microwave works. But if there is some material in the plastic that allows it to absorb heat from the microwave. thats news to me and I'll stand like a dumbass and be corrected.

I'll give it a shot just for GP You never know I may learn something new.

Well I stand by my first statement. Microwave won't work at least not very good.

On my particular Microwave there is not enough energy being absorbed by the plastic and the Microwave starts to arc so a Microwave is not the best choice.

If it worked for you John... Great My microwave hated it