These are really helpful videos you guys are awesome but I really am having a hard time finding the plastic bars I see people using to hold a two-part vacuum mold together in order to make things like candles. Is there a place you might recommend?
Made one... great stuff. I found that the sheets sold for the makyu form box are perfect for a 21cmx21cm frame and the plastic is nice...$40 for 30 pieces 2 day shipping
Hi i was just wondering what were the dimensions you used for the vacuum former box? Was the size decided by the inside dimensions of the toaster oven?
Lol, since my son watched your tutorial and built his own vac former all of my sheet stock vanished!!.....he has turned it into Poke Balls:) ........Thank you!!......I think ;) Wonderful tutorial!!
I just wanted to say thank you so much for, putting out these videos. I am pretty new to casting and vacuum forming. it's nice to have a visual guide to these techniques. it makes it seem like way less of a daunting task.
I really love this video, planning on starting to make vacuum formed hockey masks soon! 8 years later and this video gives all the best info on how to make them, Thank you for this info punishedprops! I'll be having fun following these steps and making my own forming machine,
I know this video is old, but it's clear, concise, not very long. I really appreciate it. If you're still watching the comments, do you need any kind of mold release? What keeps the vacuum formed plastic from sticking to the buck? Also, how thick should the plastic be?
A powder can help the plastic release from the buck. Here's a time stamp of us showing the process on a newer project: th-cam.com/video/K8zeGIRcmUw/w-d-xo.html
Just stumbled across this video from prop shop. Just the ticket for my modelling needs, I found it informative and an easy to achieve project. Cheers mate.
When I was a kid, I had a Vac-U-Form Toy. It had a small heating element and a hand pump to create the vacuum. This is simply a homemade version of that toy.
also noticed the Khorne berzerker on your pc background at 4:54. building chaos armour is the exact reason I'm looking at making a vacuuformer! great video +40k awesome points.
I can see a use for it to make a mold for fiberglass motorcycle parts, very useful to copy parts that can no longer be bought from the makers or even 2nd hand
I'm very glad to find your channel. I was watching you and Adam Savage build a foam gauntlet. So I came over to Punished Props Academy to look around. I liked what I saw so I stayed around by subscribing.
2:07 If you're more well-versed in prop making and stuff, I'd recommend that you use an old 3D resin printer tray. I had one for an outdated printer that I never use lying around and it worked great.
I'll definitely be making one of these the windshield for one of my planes came off mid flight, and they don't make them anymore so time to make one (cant make it by just folding sheet as it has extrusions)
Your guide has made me realize that making your own vacuum former isn't a scary, impossible task. I'm going to make one myself but would like to know what to look for in the vacuum cleaner. Is power/wattage what matters? is a 2400 watt model better than a 1200 watt one?
hi there. Thanks for another great tutorial. What type of plastic are you using? How thick? Source? I'll be primarily vacuforming T-Visors for Mandalorian Helmets. TIA!
I'm hoping you'll reply, but my first steps into this vacuforming game aren't working out like your results. I followed this build advice, but am hitting what I expect are noob mistakes. Some advice would be helpful. My first run ended up with a great 'sag' in the 0.5mm PETG, but major pleats in the material over the buck. Would that be due to too much melt or insufficient vacuum? Just needing your experience and opinion on that point. Second problem was, when using 0.75mm material (purportedly PETG, but I can't attest to the actual plastic; Ebay you know) while waiting for the 'sag', the material turned milk white, never sagged to the same extent, and then wouldn't even get close to forming over the buck. Temperature? Or my pulling too early due to the colour change? Does the rapidity of vacuum power make a difference?
Just exactly what I needed to know to make clear canopies for model aircraft. The expensive or hard thing to get will be a toaster. What about a hot air gun? Will that work? Thank you greatly for the video.
Thank you very much for sharing. I have a different question though. Where do you get driving belts for your belt sander? I could only find belts for 3D printers which cannot bear the load.
Hi im wondering what kind of Peg board did you used? Is it the standard 6mm diameter holes with 1 inch spacing? Thanks for the videos, sources and references; very helpful.
So if I made a wooden form, placed a sheet of acrylic over it and slowly heated it, would that work at all without the vacuum? I don't have a vacuum form and really don't need one other than this one time.
Unfortunately they don't really make machines commercially that are that large. When they do, they are VERY very expensive. Check out this video to see how I made myself a larger machine: th-cam.com/video/O790OvRy1rc/w-d-xo.html There are some useful links in there abut building a machine and different methods you can use. Hope that helps!
@@punishedprops - Transparency sheets are typically acetate or sometimes polyester, also known as PET, so is that near enough to the material you are using. I hope it is as I would like to use these sheets for something and this project would be ideal, let me know. Cheers.
Do not forget to use a release agent like talcum powder to help get the thing apart after it cools and shrinks onto your item you are trying to mold. just a dusting of it on the mold before you vac form it is enough and helps a lot.
If I were to form polycarbonate, would it thin it out making it weaker. I'm trying to make an ODST visor and I need it to be strong enough to withstand Airsoft
This just gave me a great idea for a small sanding or drilling table, with the vacuumed area catching all the dust Ect... Tired of my workshop shelves having 1/8th of dust every month.. No need for the Vacuum Forming, but I guess it’s there if I do... Thanks....👍👍LEBIII
Hydrastone works well as a plug/buck too. The last 50 lb bag I got was about $30. Works like Plaster of Paris but is much harder and dries without cracking.
You can do it but you have to make the infill REALLY solid so that it doesn't warp from the heat. You can see how we did it in this video: th-cam.com/video/QCdEdFUXzc4/w-d-xo.html
I need a copy of my vintage Masters Of The Universe Castle Grayskull because I'm going to make sort of a custom Grayskull wall relief. I don't want to destroy real Grayskull so it has to be copy. But apparently vacuum forming would damage the original since it's made of thin plastic. Right?
How about cooling the original before applying the heated plastic or using a sponge and some cold water across the surface of the original? This would both help to cool and harden the hot plastic you're applying on top, while also prevent the original plastic piece from reaching melting point. In theory at least. Do a test with another piece of plastic of the same kind as your Castle Grayskull and see if it deforms.
The main reason we suggest a shop vac is because they're better at handling dust and particles at high volumes and I think they're often stronger, but you can try with whatever vacuum you have!
where do you buy the plastic sheets to work with? I'm looking for something clear to make some toy blisters...also, I have been trying to use the liter soda bottles and it isn't working, but I also don't have a decent heating element. I need to get an oven, I've been trying to use the heat gun and it doesn't heat evenly. I'm have a working are of about 7x7
Where do people source materials for the plastics? I've been trying to find sources for plastic that would work for chocolate molds for the last few hours and I can't seem to find anything thin enough :P
We've got links in the video description! The thickness depends on what you're vacuum forming and how you're going to use the form. Thinner plastic captures more detail but isn't as sturdy.
Depends on which plastics you use, but some of them can give off toxic gas if burned. I find it a best practice to commit one over for only using plastics.
I would have made the frame to fit the width of the oven so you don't need the pan. Also for shapes that are glossy, sometimes it is good to use a velvet coating so wrinkles don't form. It makes a smooth matte finish that hides tiny imperfections. Also a list of melting temperatures for the plastics and an IR thermometer can be handy.
You'd need to make a "buck" - something in the final shape that you want. It could be 3D printed, or wood, or plaster! Than you could vacuum form your plastic over it.
I'm currently making my own machine based off this. What is the issue with using an oven also used for food? As I have limited space so was planning to use our main home oven for the heating.
This is great! Question... How to calculate the ratio for the material for a piece that is about 20"x20" x 8" How big has to be frame. It is to high to vac form?
Do you think you could 3D print some of those vacuum forming bucks? I know pla has a low melting temp but it should hold its form for long enough I would think to make the plastic case
I have a question about the holes in the top Is it better to have holes that size? Does it make vacforming easier? I've made a budget vacforming rig and I've had trouble with my test runs getting the plast to form over the piece and I know its not the plastic as its plenty hot enough, so I'm wondering if I've made the holes too small? The size of the drill bit I was using was approximately 1.5mm wide. There seems to be good suction, but the plastic doesnt seem to want to conform all the way down over the piece so I end up with like a tenting effect where it partially forms around the tops and then angles out on all sides like a tent
I have a question that i really need answered. I have been looking around for a used shop vac that I can buy solely for the use of vacuum forming. Is there a minimum HP that shop vacs should have in order to use for vacuum forming? As i will not be using it for anything else, the gallon size does not matter because i will not be vacuuming anything but air. I will only be vacuuming small things, most likely with LDPE plastic 2 or 3 ml thick
Hey man - Great vid! I’m only new to messing around with all this DIY plastic stuff and this really helps, seems so simple and obvious now I seen one but you don’t know until you know, huh! One thing, if you don’t mind me hitting you up just real quick while I’ve thought of it - I’ve been using Thermoplastic Polypropylene Pellets just trying to mould out a few ideas and get a grasp of what can and can’t be done manually without a 3D printer (which I can’t afford or justify this early into this) and it’s been good. It has pros and cons, like all things but I want to move onto other types of plastics, even silicones and resins… Yes, sorry, I’m getting to my question LOL! - It seems important to give you a little background as to WHY I’m asking as I’m sure it will help your answer :) No doubt there is a tonne of great info out there, only the trouble I’m finding is different people use different lingo or shorten or substitute identifying nouns (“rubber” instead of “silicon” for example) and this is amplified across different global locales, regions manners of speech etc. So it can be completely discombobulating to find out after 3 months that any two “foams” are NOT the same or perhaps ARE the same but one source called it “sponge” instead of “foam” and you see where I’m going despite that terribly broad example I’ve given! Haha! So, please, if you wouldn’t mind chucking me a link to where I might acquire a small amount of what YOU know and refer to as “Styrene” here-in, I would be that much further ahead of the rest of the “Teaching Myself Class” than, well… Me. (About the same as you used in your demonstration in this video would be approx. ideal) (ebay, Ali, whats-the-other-ones… you know!) CHEERS MAN - I’ll “blackmail” you with a sub-up promise if you can!! :) (not really, you can probs have it anyway haha!)
Anguinus Vir yes, by not making holes. I would use a window mesh & only have a hole in the center. Use the window mesh as a small spacer between the box & the object
Check out our NEW tutorial for making a BIG Vacuum Form table using materials from the hardware store: th-cam.com/video/O790OvRy1rc/w-d-xo.html
These are really helpful videos you guys are awesome but I really am having a hard time finding the plastic bars I see people using to hold a two-part vacuum mold together in order to make things like candles. Is there a place you might recommend?
Made one... great stuff. I found that the sheets sold for the makyu form box are perfect for a 21cmx21cm frame and the plastic is nice...$40 for 30 pieces 2 day shipping
Hi i was just wondering what were the dimensions you used for the vacuum former box? Was the size decided by the inside dimensions of the toaster oven?
Lol, since my son watched your tutorial and built his own vac former all of my sheet stock vanished!!.....he has turned it into Poke Balls:) ........Thank you!!......I think ;) Wonderful tutorial!!
That’s hilarious 😂 and your son sounds awesome
Always like workshops that ACTUALLY look like people work in em! Cool vid too!
Replying so this comment gets more attention
Then you'd love mine 😂 😅😅
I've used a many a commercial Thermoformer to make big things back in the "real world", this is a great way to make your own. Well done sir!
I just wanted to say thank you so much for, putting out these videos. I am pretty new to casting and vacuum forming. it's nice to have a visual guide to these techniques. it makes it seem like way less of a daunting task.
I really love this video, planning on starting to make vacuum formed hockey masks soon! 8 years later and this video gives all the best info on how to make them, Thank you for this info punishedprops! I'll be having fun following these steps and making my own forming machine,
Amazing, great quality,interesting ideas,clear speach, accurate tips, inspiring as hell,thanks for making this)
I know this video is old, but it's clear, concise, not very long. I really appreciate it. If you're still watching the comments, do you need any kind of mold release? What keeps the vacuum formed plastic from sticking to the buck? Also, how thick should the plastic be?
A powder can help the plastic release from the buck. Here's a time stamp of us showing the process on a newer project: th-cam.com/video/K8zeGIRcmUw/w-d-xo.html
Once you make a vacuum press…Can you please share how you remove the vacuum formed material from the mold without destroying it? Thanks
Just stumbled across this video from prop shop. Just the ticket for my modelling needs, I found it informative and an easy to achieve project. Cheers mate.
Right on! We're so happy you found the video helpful!
Do you think a big enough table would be able to handle a daft punk guy manuel visor?
it would definitely be able to handle, no doubt
Lol, nice to see you here Jake,
+Bill Doran bwahahaha, sweet
+Zachnikatel Gaming nice to be here
+William Jakespeare I thought the same question. XD
When I was a kid, I had a Vac-U-Form Toy. It had a small heating element and a hand pump to create the vacuum. This is simply a homemade version of that toy.
The rubber sanding block was neat! Thank you for sharing this with us.
You're so welcome! Thanks for watching!
@@punishedprops what is the thickness of the PETG that you’re using for this tutorial?
also noticed the Khorne berzerker on your pc background at 4:54. building chaos armour is the exact reason I'm looking at making a vacuuformer! great video +40k awesome points.
I can see a use for it to make a mold for fiberglass motorcycle parts, very useful to copy parts that can no longer be bought from the makers or even 2nd hand
6 second intro, perfect! Thx for being smart!
Awesome tutorial and excellent presentation. I really appreciate your style and down to earth personality.
JUST PICKED UP A FEW OF THE BOOKS CANT WAIT TO READ THEM
I'm very glad to find your channel. I was watching you and Adam Savage build a foam gauntlet. So I came over to Punished Props Academy to look around. I liked what I saw so I stayed around by subscribing.
That's great, thanks for subscribing!
For the actual box part would just a regular wooden box you have around with some holes in it work?
I have a vaccume chamber for resins degasing and wood stabilizing, just need to make a new top out of peg board and I have a 1'x2' vacuform table!
Huh, I wonder if that would work!
Really enjoy clear informative tutorials like this. Great links in description and simple instructions. Really look forward to trying it out.
2:07 If you're more well-versed in prop making and stuff, I'd recommend that you use an old 3D resin printer tray. I had one for an outdated printer that I never use lying around and it worked great.
That's a very clever idea!
Which is beneficial? 1 hole for vacuum or the pegboard method?
I'll definitely be making one of these
the windshield for one of my planes came off mid flight, and they don't make them anymore
so time to make one
(cant make it by just folding sheet as it has extrusions)
rc plane, that is
Your guide has made me realize that making your own vacuum former isn't a scary, impossible task. I'm going to make one myself but would like to know what to look for in the vacuum cleaner. Is power/wattage what matters? is a 2400 watt model better than a 1200 watt one?
David S the amount of air it moves is what is important
they need to really suck, that's all.
looks like a nice way to make tool box drawer liners, so you can tell what's missing
hi there. Thanks for another great tutorial. What type of plastic are you using? How thick? Source? I'll be primarily vacuforming T-Visors for Mandalorian Helmets. TIA!
My latest video is a vacuum forming machine. I used a vacuum pump, but it's looking like a shop vac will work even better.
Great clip..I need to make one for the canopy of the model aircraft. ..Will copy it one for sure!!
Thanks for sharing!
I'm hoping you'll reply, but my first steps into this vacuforming game aren't working out like your results. I followed this build advice, but am hitting what I expect are noob mistakes. Some advice would be helpful. My first run ended up with a great 'sag' in the 0.5mm PETG, but major pleats in the material over the buck. Would that be due to too much melt or insufficient vacuum? Just needing your experience and opinion on that point. Second problem was, when using 0.75mm material (purportedly PETG, but I can't attest to the actual plastic; Ebay you know) while waiting for the 'sag', the material turned milk white, never sagged to the same extent, and then wouldn't even get close to forming over the buck. Temperature? Or my pulling too early due to the colour change? Does the rapidity of vacuum power make a difference?
Stayed for the content, subbed for the N7 gear 👍🏻
Thanks so much for your support!
What kind of wood and thickness did you use please to make the box with i no the top is pegboard ps your videos are excellent
I think it was 1/2" thick MDF.
Punished Props thanks much appreciated all the best 👍👍👍👍
Just exactly what I needed to know to make clear canopies for model aircraft.
The expensive or hard thing to get will be a toaster.
What about a hot air gun?
Will that work?
Thank you greatly for the video.
Thank you very much for sharing. I have a different question though. Where do you get driving belts for your belt sander? I could only find belts for 3D printers which cannot bear the load.
I honestly don't remember off the top of my head, but probably Amazon
What type of plastic are you using what thickness and where did you get it back
could you use the plastic from a two litre pop/soda bottle if you cut a sheet and flattened it with a hot air gun prior
I tried that and it did not work. =( Here's the video: th-cam.com/video/sOq2SFtPmqU/w-d-xo.html
Can you tell me what that small drill bit chuck is that is inserted in the drill press chuck? Kinda nifty.
Just wanted to know an affordable way to make one so I could make a vizor. Thanks
Hi im wondering what kind of Peg board did you used? Is it the standard 6mm diameter holes with 1 inch spacing? Thanks for the videos, sources and references; very helpful.
We link to all the materials and tools used in the video in the description :)
@@punishedprops Oh my goodness how did i not notice that? Thanks for pointing out to my blind self.
So if I made a wooden form, placed a sheet of acrylic over it and slowly heated it, would that work at all without the vacuum? I don't have a vacuum form and really don't need one other than this one time.
For simple forms, that might work.
what is best machine to buy to make some larger things, like tops for side by side vehicles? Probably 4x8 sheets
Unfortunately they don't really make machines commercially that are that large. When they do, they are VERY very expensive. Check out this video to see how I made myself a larger machine: th-cam.com/video/O790OvRy1rc/w-d-xo.html
There are some useful links in there abut building a machine and different methods you can use. Hope that helps!
I'd very much like to see how the helmet was made for the costume at 7:16 because I want to make something like that for a project I have in mind.
How would I vacuum form something I'm afraid would be hurt by the heat of the hot plastic?
Perhaps make a silicone mold of that thing and then cast a copy in hydrocal. Use that hydrocal casting to do the vacuum forming.
Hi, I have loads of Mylar plastic sheets, commonly used in schools for projectors. Is this plastic ok to use in one of these devices?
Hmm, I'm sure, that's not a material I have really worked with.
@@punishedprops - Transparency sheets are typically acetate or sometimes polyester, also known as PET, so is that near enough to the material you are using. I hope it is as I would like to use these sheets for something and this project would be ideal, let me know. Cheers.
Great video! What plastic would you recommend for candle molds?
Hmm I'm not sure, that's not something I've ever done before
Do not forget to use a release agent like talcum powder to help get the thing apart after it cools and shrinks onto your item you are trying to mold. just a dusting of it on the mold before you vac form it is enough and helps a lot.
If I were to form polycarbonate, would it thin it out making it weaker.
I'm trying to make an ODST visor and I need it to be strong enough to withstand Airsoft
I have a question can any plastic relate material Will do ? Like Book plastic covers and Plastic bag Will worked for my homemade vaccum forming?
Thank you so much for this, do you think there is any recommended limitation in size for this? I would like to make something about 60x60x20 (cm).
Nice video I shall be trying to form my own 1mm -2mm clamshell packaging for my start up business ill use petg, hope it picks out the small detail
what is the suction power of the vacuum?
Have you tried using worbla, or transparent worbla with the box? Or would the glue totally ruin everything.
what is the thickest material you could vacuum form? I'm thinking about doing this for car purposes but I think the styrene would be too thin.
This just gave me a great idea for a small sanding or drilling table, with the vacuumed area catching all the dust Ect... Tired of my workshop shelves having 1/8th of dust every month.. No need for the Vacuum Forming, but I guess it’s there if I do...
Thanks....👍👍LEBIII
Hydrastone works well as a plug/buck too. The last 50 lb bag I got was about $30. Works like Plaster of Paris but is much harder and dries without cracking.
As a private home-school tutor, I teach Design & Technology to an autistic child. This was very educational. He loved it.
I can use this method to make new moulds for my sockets and tools in toolbox to keep my stuff organized
Sweet!
Whats a better method for high detail works? Thanks
I am going to attempt to build microphone elements using this method
how well would this work with PLA used in 3D printers as the buck?
You can do it but you have to make the infill REALLY solid so that it doesn't warp from the heat. You can see how we did it in this video: th-cam.com/video/QCdEdFUXzc4/w-d-xo.html
What kinds of plastics are the best to work with with a vacu-former? What are the advantages/disadvantages for each one?
I come from the UK and our toasters are very different to that, is there anything else that can be substituted for the toaster oven?
Plz TH-cam for formmate, they have this machine readymade and seems nice r... Have a look buddy
I need a copy of my vintage Masters Of The Universe Castle Grayskull because I'm going to make sort of a custom Grayskull wall relief. I don't want to destroy real Grayskull so it has to be copy. But apparently vacuum forming would damage the original since it's made of thin plastic. Right?
How about cooling the original before applying the heated plastic or using a sponge and some cold water across the surface of the original? This would both help to cool and harden the hot plastic you're applying on top, while also prevent the original plastic piece from reaching melting point. In theory at least.
Do a test with another piece of plastic of the same kind as your Castle Grayskull and see if it deforms.
do you need a shop vac or will a home vacuum work
The main reason we suggest a shop vac is because they're better at handling dust and particles at high volumes and I think they're often stronger, but you can try with whatever vacuum you have!
Whats the best cheapest way of mass producing polycarbonate covers?
Thanks!
where do you buy the plastic sheets to work with? I'm looking for something clear to make some toy blisters...also, I have been trying to use the liter soda bottles and it isn't working, but I also don't have a decent heating element. I need to get an oven, I've been trying to use the heat gun and it doesn't heat evenly. I'm have a working are of about 7x7
Yeah a heat gun is usually too specific an area of heating to work well. We usually get our sheets from Amazon, it's just Styrene
Where do people source materials for the plastics? I've been trying to find sources for plastic that would work for chocolate molds for the last few hours and I can't seem to find anything thin enough :P
We go to places like TAP plastic or order from Amazon. I'm not sure what you want to look for that's safe for food though
@@punishedprops I've not looked into TAP before. Thanks for the suggestion!
Where do you get the styrene plastic from and how thick is an optimal size
We've got links in the video description! The thickness depends on what you're vacuum forming and how you're going to use the form. Thinner plastic captures more detail but isn't as sturdy.
Is it dangerous to heat the plastic in a home oven? Why is it unfit to cook food in after warming plastic? Thanks for the help!
Depends on which plastics you use, but some of them can give off toxic gas if burned. I find it a best practice to commit one over for only using plastics.
hi there ... can you please tell me what plastic sheets you use ??? and if you can give me a link where i can order those ... ty in advance
sorry, I do not speak english. very good your video. This mold can be used in mass plastilina?
I understand, thank you for responding. like your videos.
I would have made the frame to fit the width of the oven so you don't need the pan. Also for shapes that are glossy, sometimes it is good to use a velvet coating so wrinkles don't form. It makes a smooth matte finish that hides tiny imperfections. Also a list of melting temperatures for the plastics and an IR thermometer can be handy.
do you have any ,diy acrylic sheet bending tools?
Could you make something like this sized up to about 12 in x 12 in with a shopvac powering it or would that not be enough suction for a bigger table?
Punished Props thanks.. I guess the problem though would be how to heat the styrene that size since it's bigger than a toaster oven :/
And that old toaster oven doubles for powder coating bakes also!
Its preety cool question, is it posibule to shape with vacum hook and loop tape withoutdestrojing hooks? material is 75%polyester 25%vinyl
I imagine that the hook and loop will melt.
I have broken plastics from a jukebox, how can I make a mould to then do what you outlined?
You'd need to make a "buck" - something in the final shape that you want. It could be 3D printed, or wood, or plaster! Than you could vacuum form your plastic over it.
I'm currently making my own machine based off this. What is the issue with using an oven also used for food? As I have limited space so was planning to use our main home oven for the heating.
This is great! Question... How to calculate the ratio for the material for a piece that is about 20"x20" x 8" How big has to be frame. It is to high to vac form?
What is the best plastic to use to do miniature things? I believe you tell but I cannot undestand... and where can I find the best plastics for that?
I usually use PET-G
@@punishedprops thank you very much... I'll try to find it in portugal...
Because the mold that you'd make is hard plastic, what kinds of materials do you cast in it?
Taking into consideration the heat issues needing resolved would something like this work for sheet wax?
I've never worked with sheet wax, so I'm not sure.
Do you think you could 3D print some of those vacuum forming bucks? I know pla has a low melting temp but it should hold its form for long enough I would think to make the plastic case
I used a folding picture frame and a baking with a box below to make one of these
What kind of store do you get the pastic sheeting from? I have a funny feeling it won't be readily available to me.
Amazon! Should be a link in our video description
@@punishedprops yah - we don't have Amazon here in Australia, I thought it might be hard to get. Damn it.
I have a question about the holes in the top
Is it better to have holes that size? Does it make vacforming easier?
I've made a budget vacforming rig and I've had trouble with my test runs getting the plast to form over the piece and I know its not the plastic as its plenty hot enough, so I'm wondering if I've made the holes too small? The size of the drill bit I was using was approximately 1.5mm wide.
There seems to be good suction, but the plastic doesnt seem to want to conform all the way down over the piece so I end up with like a tenting effect where it partially forms around the tops and then angles out on all sides like a tent
Thanks for making this. I though I was going to have to buy an actual whole vacuum molding machine for this
I have a question that i really need answered. I have been looking around for a used shop vac that I can buy solely for the use of vacuum forming. Is there a minimum HP that shop vacs should have in order to use for vacuum forming? As i will not be using it for anything else, the gallon size does not matter because i will not be vacuuming anything but air. I will only be vacuuming small things, most likely with LDPE plastic 2 or 3 ml thick
as long it creates a vacuum it doesnt matter that much how powerfull the vac is....ofcourse.. the more powerfull it is, the faster it creates the mold
Can i also use plasteline clay for vacuforming too
As a buck maybe, I'm not sure though since the process requires a lot of heat. The clay will probably get too soft.
LOVE your videos, and your books are great also. Make some more!
Hey man - Great vid! I’m only new to messing around with all this DIY plastic stuff and this really helps, seems so simple and obvious now I seen one but you don’t know until you know, huh!
One thing, if you don’t mind me hitting you up just real quick while I’ve thought of it - I’ve been using Thermoplastic Polypropylene Pellets just trying to mould out a few ideas and get a grasp of what can and can’t be done manually without a 3D printer (which I can’t afford or justify this early into this) and it’s been good. It has pros and cons, like all things but I want to move onto other types of plastics, even silicones and resins… Yes, sorry, I’m getting to my question LOL! - It seems important to give you a little background as to WHY I’m asking as I’m sure it will help your answer :)
No doubt there is a tonne of great info out there, only the trouble I’m finding is different people use different lingo or shorten or substitute identifying nouns (“rubber” instead of “silicon” for example) and this is amplified across different global locales, regions manners of speech etc. So it can be completely discombobulating to find out after 3 months that any two “foams” are NOT the same or perhaps ARE the same but one source called it “sponge” instead of “foam” and you see where I’m going despite that terribly broad example I’ve given! Haha!
So, please, if you wouldn’t mind chucking me a link to where I might acquire a small amount of what YOU know and refer to as “Styrene” here-in, I would be that much further ahead of the rest of the “Teaching Myself Class” than, well… Me.
(About the same as you used in your demonstration in this video would be approx. ideal)
(ebay, Ali, whats-the-other-ones… you know!)
CHEERS MAN - I’ll “blackmail” you with a sub-up promise if you can!! :) (not really, you can probs have it anyway haha!)
Check out the links in the video description! We acquire ours from Amazon.
how can you prevent the holes from the pegboard showing up in the product?
Anguinus Vir yes, by not making holes.
I would use a window mesh & only have a hole in the center. Use the window mesh as a small spacer between the box & the object
Knuxiefan bullshit. Make a video showing, I'm sure it won't work.
Visit our website to check out the all of the tools and links mentioned here! punishedprops.com/2015/11/23/vacuum-forming-machine/
do you do work for hire? I need a set of motorcycle headlight covers for glass LED headlights.
Hi, thanks for this tutorial! How did you clamp the frame onto the toaster oven tray? I tried watching a few times but can’t figure it out. Thanks!
We used binder clips!
@@punishedprops thanks for the response, but how did you fit the clips inside the tray? Since the frame is separate? Thank you!
Great tutorial Bill! I can't wait for the tutorial on how to make a buck to vacuuform.
This is a really good idea thanks! I have a bunch of poly carbonate we will se how it goes!
What sort of temperature for that plastic? It doesn't look like that particular toaster oven has a temperature setting.
What will happen when I used thin wavey pvc plastic for vacuformation? What will happen?
If it's too thin it could just melt and the wavey-ness could cause a less clean imprint.
Can a "Heat Press" be used for PETG and other materials (If not, please advise on what you recommend for "larger sheets" 24"x30")?