best method of altering acrylic sheets

[newty]

hello,
i was lazy today and didn't bother to use the search button. so, if you do not reply to this thread, don't worry, i wont hack your head off. rather, i'll quietly sulk and mope around the apartment.
anyways, i just picked up some acrylic sheets that were precut at the plastics shop and i want to bend them for an overflow. knowing me, i neglected to ask how they recommend to manipulate acrylic. what method should i use, propane torch, heat gun, those heating strips, etc? i am thinking of buying a heat gun because then i can use it to change blades on my hockey shaft.
now, don't make me grovel, please...
newty.

 

[newty]

well, the bends i want to make are 7" wide, so i am not heating such a large area. as for the oven, i am hestitant of using it to 'cook' acrylic. was there any fumes enemating from the acrylic when you did that?
secondly, where did you pick up the heating element from?
newty.

 

[marvida]

I use an electric heat gun. I set up a jig, usually a 2X4, this gives a nice rounded bend. Just take it slow the stuff melts very close to it's easy bending temperature. Practice on some scrap.