How does one go about bending a plastic ammo belt into shape. It's currently lying straight and I'm considering having it wrap around the figures shoulder.

Undoubtedly some will suggest heat, which works okay to a point. Ammo belts flex not only along their length, but can flex forward and back as well. You may find that the belt will have to flex that way to accomodate the figure.
The best way to achieve a realistic look, IMHO, is to cut individual rounds apart and reglue them around the figure. You can flex, twist, and drape the belt any way you need to, without being limited to the position of the molded togther rounds.

I haven't tried this myself but if you immersed it in warm water to make it more flexible you might be able to wrap it wround the figure. Just a thought.

Hi Hermann,

Hot water, or heat from a hair dryer are most common ways to go, but I have had good results by just bending the belt with my fingers without any heat applied.
I just grip the belt at one end and move along it bending it just a little every 3 to 5 rounds. It should be bent in two or tree passes, make sure to bend it a bit more than necessary so that it will grip the figures neck.
You can use this technique to bend it along their length as well as back and forward, just be careful not to snap it, you can always do an other pass.
Hope this helps,
Luka

Hermann,

I have had success bending plasticard by gently heating it in hot water, or also keeping it under continuous bend for a 1-2 hour period.

Chas

Please don't bend it.
What you are doing here is essentially breaking the fibres of the plastic in the hope that it will give way enough to be bent without actually breaking in two. The vital ingredient in this proceedure is luck. Unless you have plenty of spare belts- don't,
Put a dab of superglue on the back of the neck of your figure and position the centre of the belt on it and allow to dry. Then using heat, [I held mine over a convector heater- a hairdrier will work, but not a naked flame] gently press the belt down on the shoulders working out from the centre on each side. Repeat this until approximately a third of each half is sitting snugly on the shoulders and secure this with another dab of superglue, then repeat the heat/press proceedure until you reach the end of the belt, and again secure wth a bab of glue.
Most of all be patient- it'l take half an hour or so.
Steve

Many thanks to all that took the time to reply!!