Popular Post Coley Posted September 30, 2011 Popular Post Report Share Posted September 30, 2011 You will need a small hot plate, you can get this at wally world or other store.Enough 1"x 6" x 3/4" to build a 12" OD square frame.We are going to use a shop vac for our suction.One 1" x 6" x 4' piece of pine lumberOne 1" x 4" x 4' piece of pine lumberFour 3/8" x 2" flat angle braces16, 1/8" x 1/8" pop rivets with back up washers.One piece of thin scrap wood, plastic or other type of material 10" x 10"One piece of what is called punch plate for vacuum bed top, 10" x 10"Some silicone caulk, some tape, (I used alum. tape) 16 dry wall screws 1 1/2" longOK, lets get started by building a 12" x 12" box for the hot plate to set in.Using the 1" x 6" lumber cut 2 pieces 12" long and 2 pieces 10 1/2" long.Cut a small notch in one of the boards for the hot plate cord to come throughthis will become the bottom of the box.This box is screwed together with the dry wall screws. Screw the 12" piecesto the 10 1/2" pieces.Now lets build the vacuum bed.Using the 1" x 4" piece of lumber, cut 2 pieces 10" long and 2 pieces 8 1/2" long.and screw the 10" pieces to the 8 1/2" pieces using the dry wall screws.Before screwing the last piece on use a hole saw to cut a hole in it that will fit yourshop vac.The bottom of this hole should be about 3/8" from the bottom of the box we are building.We are also going to tape the 10" x 10" piece of whatever you use on the bottom of the box.We will then caulk the seams inside the box.Now tape the punch plate on top of the box. We now have our vacuum bed.Now we need to build an angle iron frame with a 10 1/2" inside dia.and a 12" outside dia.I think the pictures will explain this. The frame will match the 12" box perfect and slip down over the 10" box.Use the 3/8" x 2" flat angle braces on each corner, attach with the pop rivets and washers.Add a couple handles from a piece of dowel.This completes the construction processNow to use this, cut your plastic to form 12" x 12" and attach to the alum frame with the binder clips.Place your models on the punch plate, I use baits cut in half, and get a good right and left side.Set the temp on hot plate about theree fourths of the way, not on high.I have had not a fire but, i guess you could if it got too hot.Place the plastic in the frame over the hot plate and start the shop vac.The plastic will sag at first then tighten up then sag again, it is time to place it over the vacuum bed. 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Bass Man Posted September 30, 2011 Report Share Posted September 30, 2011 Awesome tutorial bud, Thanks for sharing it!! Patrick 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RayburnGuy Posted October 1, 2011 Report Share Posted October 1, 2011 I like your idea of placing the hot plate inside the vacuum box. When I built mine I just built a plywood box with holes drilled in the top. A separate frame that would hold the plastic sheet on all four sides was built and then it would be put into the oven to warm the plastic. The warmed plastic would then be transferred to the vacuum box. I like your idea a lot better. The use of the metal punch sheet is a great idea as well. Nice job. Ben Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charles Mitchell Posted October 1, 2011 Report Share Posted October 1, 2011 This is a work of art. This must have taken a lot of thought. Good step by step tutorial with pictures to match. Charlie M Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redg8r Posted October 2, 2011 Report Share Posted October 2, 2011 Love it Coley.... Great writeup! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vodkaman Posted October 2, 2011 Report Share Posted October 2, 2011 Great result. Thanks for posting. More information stored for future use. Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coley Posted October 2, 2011 Author Report Share Posted October 2, 2011 Thanks for your nice comments. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nathan Posted October 3, 2011 Report Share Posted October 3, 2011 Great job Coley!!..Nathan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
*crankn101* Posted October 3, 2011 Report Share Posted October 3, 2011 Thank you sir. Great write up! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jwfflipper Posted October 13, 2011 Report Share Posted October 13, 2011 Nice job!! Question, Why couldn't we just combine all the pieces into one unit and lay the plastic over the baits at the same time as it is getting hot? And when the plastic heats up enough then we turn on the vac and it sucks the plastic over the baits. Just a thought. I built mine like in this blog www.vacuumformerplans.blogspot.com but i am going to build a smaller one like Coleys jeff Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
premo Posted December 21, 2011 Report Share Posted December 21, 2011 Can you use this for packaging? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arkie Posted December 22, 2011 Report Share Posted December 22, 2011 Great tutorial...built one yesterday. For the last 2 years I have been saving old packaging plastic and heating with a gun and shaping over my bait halves. This will be a nice change BUT, can you or someone please tell me where you get your plastic sheeting? I am having trouble locating some. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RayburnGuy Posted December 22, 2011 Report Share Posted December 22, 2011 Great tutorial...built one yesterday. For the last 2 years I have been saving old packaging plastic and heating with a gun and shaping over my bait halves. This will be a nice change BUT, can you or someone please tell me where you get your plastic sheeting? I am having trouble locating some. Just type "plastics suppliers" into your web browser along with the state you live in and you will find what you need. If you still can't find anything holler back and I can give you the name of a company I've used in Dallas. Ben Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hazmail Posted March 30, 2012 Report Share Posted March 30, 2012 Nice and simple Coley, AND I finally get a look inside your shed . Pete Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tom1441 Posted November 13, 2012 Report Share Posted November 13, 2012 what type of plastic are you using to make the forms and where do you order it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rick'sKustomBaits Posted March 10, 2017 Report Share Posted March 10, 2017 Well thought out with some great ideas. Will be using some of your plans. Thank you from a newbie. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
