Spoonplugger Posted October 16, 2010 Report Share Posted October 16, 2010 I saw the video here vaccum forming but it seems very jumpy. Does anyone know of any written instructions on how to make and achieve the vacuum forming? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kris Posted October 17, 2010 Report Share Posted October 17, 2010 I looked up Vacuum Forming on YouTube to get info about it when I was looking into it. There are a couple of good ones there. Would like to see some pics of the vacuum former that is in the TU video. Liked how that one was designed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redg8r Posted October 17, 2010 Report Share Posted October 17, 2010 Would like to see some pics of the vacuum former that is in the TU video. Liked how that one was designed. Vacuformer minus vacuum (Shop vac works fine) Theres a 2" dia. hole in the back to plugin the hose. Platen to hold the PETG film Platen and heating element A finished pull Stencils ready for cutout Lemme know if you have questions, I tried re-editing the video, but it was chopped up beyond edit due to it being broadcast live. Maybe I'll find time to reshoot a little segment explaining its use when I can. Thanks for the interest. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kris Posted October 18, 2010 Report Share Posted October 18, 2010 redg8r, Thanks for the pics. What did you use to connect the platen to the metal poles allowing you to move the platen up and down? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vodkaman Posted October 18, 2010 Report Share Posted October 18, 2010 Good pics, thanks Jerry. What thickness PETG did you use? Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redg8r Posted October 18, 2010 Report Share Posted October 18, 2010 What did you use to connect the platen to the metal poles allowing you to move the platen up and down? Bulldog clamps, they're household spring loaded clamps used to hold mops & brooms up off the floor. All parts are hardware store items, minus the heating element. Some MDF, Pegboard, aluminum angle, metal conduit, etc; What thickness PETG did you use? A correction, I posted PETG, I think its PET. Good question, I don't know the mil, but I'll throw a caliper on it for you, gimme a sec. I've formed polystyrene up to .060 and 3/32. It should do 1/8 inch too (I know, your lovin the imperial measurements) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vodkaman Posted October 18, 2010 Report Share Posted October 18, 2010 (I know, your lovin the imperial measurements) I can handle it. Thanks for the info. I will have to get back to my vacuum former soon, it has been a while. Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andydoc Posted October 19, 2010 Report Share Posted October 19, 2010 (edited) I did a search on the forum with no hits...but what else is involved with the vacuum forming process? What is used to glue the halves together? How are the hook holders attached... also...what is more cost effective...vacuum forming a crankbait or pouring complete plastic? thanks Edited October 19, 2010 by andydoc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mayberry_Customs Posted October 19, 2010 Report Share Posted October 19, 2010 The vacuum former is to make stencils not for the actual construction of a bait just to clarify. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vodkaman Posted October 19, 2010 Report Share Posted October 19, 2010 I did a search on the forum with no hits...but what else is involved with the vacuum forming process? What is used to glue the halves together? How are the hook holders attached... also...what is more cost effective...vacuum forming a crankbait or pouring complete plastic? thanks Vacuum forming is used mainly for creating shaped airbrush templates. It can also be used for making your own blister packaging and domed eyes. The process could be used for making bodies, but I don't know of anyone doing this. You have outlined the problems: accurately trimming the body halves, fixing hook locations, restricting ballast movement and gluing the halves. all these problems do have solutions: Trimming - an adjustable jig to hold the body and offer up to belt sander or disc sander. Bodies would still require manual scraping to remove melt swarf. Hooks and ballast - probably the tidiest solution would be a molded resin frame. You would still have to create the wire harness. Gluing - The body halves would be placed in a jig. The resin frame inserted with glue. Ballast weights (ball bearings) inserted. The halves fixed using the type of glue that melts/welds the two halves together. The resulting seam would have to be cleaned/sanded. It is possible, but would require some clever jig design. But just the process of molding the internal frame, you could have molded the whole body, with wire hanger and ballast complete. Also to produce the bodies accurately and consistently, you would probably have to use a higher vacuum than a shopvac. Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spoonplugger Posted October 20, 2010 Author Report Share Posted October 20, 2010 I've formed polystyrene up to .060 and 3/32. It should do 1/8 inch too (I know, your lovin the imperial measurements) Where do you guys get your polystyrene from? I found some online at home depot (don't know about the stores yet). Home Depot I also found a local source but don't know the price. What's the price I should be paying for a sheet? Spoonplugger Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RayburnGuy Posted October 20, 2010 Report Share Posted October 20, 2010 Where do you guys get your polystyrene from? I found some online at home depot (don't know about the stores yet). Home Depot I also found a local source but don't know the price. What's the price I should be paying for a sheet? Spoonplugger I paid $18.50 (not including shipping) for a 4' x 8' sheet of .030" PETG. (high impact acrylic) I ordered it online from Regal Plastics in Dallas, Tx. Depending on where you are there are no doubt plastics suppliers in your area. Regal Plastics just happened to be the closest supplier to me that I found. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kris Posted October 21, 2010 Report Share Posted October 21, 2010 Lemme know if you have questions, I tried re-editing the video, but it was chopped up beyond edit due to it being broadcast live. Maybe I'll find time to reshoot a little segment explaining its use when I can. Thanks for the interest. redg8r, would it be possible to get the dimensions of the vacuum box, the base it is sitting in and the platen? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redg8r Posted November 4, 2010 Report Share Posted November 4, 2010 redg8r, would it be possible to get the dimensions of the vacuum box, the base it is sitting in and the platen? Sure, but the dimensions are relative to the heating element I found. The base is @ 16' square, the box is @ 12" square, 4" deep with a 2" hole for the vacuum hose. The platen is @ 13' square to allow 1/2" overlap onto the box. Hope it helps. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
