Hot air gun to form Milk Crate?

The mirage classic well behind the seat has a rounded bottom (argh!) which means a standard milk crate won't fit snuggly.  I was thinking of softening and forming the bottom of a milk crate to conform to the shape of the well, so it would fit tightly and I could then strap it down.
Anyone tried it, or know how malleable milk crates are to a hot air gun?  Thought I'd ask before destroying a crate.....

The mirage classic well behind the seat has a rounded bottom (argh!) which means a standard milk crate won't fit snuggly.  I was thinking of softening and forming the bottom of a milk crate to conform to the shape of the well, so it would fit tightly and I could then strap it down.
Anyone tried it, or know how malleable milk crates are to a hot air gun?  Thought I'd ask before destroying a crate.....

Oh come on it’s just a crate, heat it up and let us know how it “pans” out.

The mirage classic well behind the seat has a rounded bottom (argh!) which means a standard milk crate won't fit snuggly.  I was thinking of softening and forming the bottom of a milk crate to conform to the shape of the well, so it would fit tightly and I could then strap it down.
Anyone tried it, or know how malleable milk crates are to a hot air gun?  Thought I'd ask before destroying a crate.....

Oh come on it’s just a crate, heat it up and let us know how it “pans” out.

The mirage classic well behind the seat has a rounded bottom (argh!) which means a standard milk crate won't fit snuggly.  I was thinking of softening and forming the bottom of a milk crate to conform to the shape of the well, so it would fit tightly and I could then strap it down.
Anyone tried it, or know how malleable milk crates are to a hot air gun?  Thought I'd ask before destroying a crate.....

 I have worked a lot with heat and plastic and have dumped the hot air gun and switched over to a hobby torch with positive results. You just need to work with speed and confidence. A hot air gun will take longer to get the plastic soft enough to shape.
The torch is on the right in the first photo of my plastic welding gear. I may not ever use the hot air gun again after becoming proficient with the torch.
The other photos are of one of my keel repairs that I used the torch to fix.
Good luck with your project and I hope this helps.

The mirage classic well behind the seat has a rounded bottom (argh!) which means a standard milk crate won't fit snuggly.  I was thinking of softening and forming the bottom of a milk crate to conform to the shape of the well, so it would fit tightly and I could then strap it down.
Anyone tried it, or know how malleable milk crates are to a hot air gun?  Thought I'd ask before destroying a crate.....

 I have worked a lot with heat and plastic and have dumped the hot air gun and switched over to a hobby torch with positive results. You just need to work with speed and confidence. A hot air gun will take longer to get the plastic soft enough to shape.
The torch is on the right in the first photo of my plastic welding gear. I may not ever use the hot air gun again after becoming proficient with the torch.
The other photos are of one of my keel repairs that I used the torch to fix.
Good luck with your project and I hope this helps.

I have done something similar and filled the inside of the keel after the repair to ensure it never gives me an issue again.

Hey thanks Spider! A little detail about your "torch".. is that a hot air plastic welder.. Harbor Freight or other? Waitaminit.. torch.. that means fire.. from butane I think... I keep catching the plastic on fire and making black ash mess... is there a technique to not making a blackened mess?

 I am kind of fascinated with plastic welding. Works on all plastic or only some?  I have a mirage "classic" so some day I'm going to need those skills when the keel slot starts cracking.....hopefully not when I'm in deep water...

As to "Its just a crate..." yeah.. I thought of that, but this group has so much wisdom to offer... the number of projects I've attempted only to find out someone has already figured it out here.....
Thanks guys

I’d just use a propane torch to heat it up . Would take too long with a  hair dryer or heat gun.

I got one of those... here goes nuthin'.....what could possibly go wrong?

My number 1 rule for plastic welding

 Shiny means STOP

I keep a spray bottle of ice water close by.

Also be aware that all plastics are not created equal but I must confess that I have had success with a plastic salad before.

My torch is the Bernz o matic and yes, it is working with a butane flame.   Has multiple tips for smaller jobs like repairing scupper hole damage.

Good luck!!