martbaz Posted October 31, 2012 Report Share Posted October 31, 2012 Alright so I have a bit of clear lexan at home and wanted to try my hand at vacuum forming without many costs as I am a student .....anybody have any experience trying to vacuum form lexan? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EdL Posted October 31, 2012 Report Share Posted October 31, 2012 Suggest you use the search function on this site. There are several posts on vacuum forming that include some homemade version and methods. You didn't say how thick your lexan is. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
martbaz Posted October 31, 2012 Author Report Share Posted October 31, 2012 the lexan is about 1/16 inch thick but yes i did search it but didnt find much about forming lexan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A-Mac Posted October 31, 2012 Report Share Posted October 31, 2012 1/16th sounds pretty thick for vacuum forming. Are you using it for stencils? It would require a lot of heat. Plus, I'm not sure how well lexan takes to being melted either. But then again, you never know unless you try. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
martbaz Posted October 31, 2012 Author Report Share Posted October 31, 2012 No I wanted to try forming bait bodies with some stuff I had on hand but ill try it with other thinner plastics first then move to the thicker lexan to see if it works ... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hazmail Posted November 1, 2012 Report Share Posted November 1, 2012 (edited) BaZ - see 'Thermoforming' and even @ 1mm you will need some good suck. http://www.perspex.c...lycarbonate.pdf Pete Edited November 1, 2012 by hazmail Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
martbaz Posted November 1, 2012 Author Report Share Posted November 1, 2012 Thanks for the info guys!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tekoutdoors.co Posted December 2, 2012 Report Share Posted December 2, 2012 I used to vaccum form and I used the clear milk jugs for it. It forms very nice. I tried the white ones but I didn't like the outcome. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ryan k Posted December 28, 2012 Report Share Posted December 28, 2012 Just yesterday me and my son used a shop vac an a coffee can to vac form some stencil material. Basically cut a hole in the side of the can to insert the vac hose We ended up using a tin lid off a paint can to replace the plastic one from the coffee can Drilled about ten holes in the shape of the bait in the lid and duct taped it air tight. Placed bait over holes turned vac on placed a swatch of stencil over bait and used a heat gun After the first run. Noticed wrinkles so we cut a few slits. Worked like a charm. Hope this helps Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
martbaz Posted January 8, 2013 Author Report Share Posted January 8, 2013 Thanks guys I did myself a box out of plywood about the size of a birdhouse.. Drilled one big hole in the side for the shop vac (5hp) and drilled a bunch of 1/8 holes on the top in a 4" x 6" squared area where it would be big enough for my baits where I could just tape off the extra holes to match for the size of baits and worked like a charm with heat gun although I did get a few wrinkles and will take trimming into consideration Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ravenlures Posted January 18, 2013 Report Share Posted January 18, 2013 Just one question. If I were to form for a round body 10" long with taper would I cut out the fire tiger stripes first then heat and form. I am going right now to make my forming box. Just trying to save some time. I looked up on the serch but most of the forming is for bass baits. Thanks for any input. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ryan k Posted January 18, 2013 Report Share Posted January 18, 2013 I wouldn't recommend cutting out the pattern first I think it will distort You may find you need to cut some slits to allow the stencil to form without wrinkles though. It is fairly easy to cut out your pattern after it is formed I always use a new blade. And or a stencil cutter ( like a soldering iron ) A cheap but nice tool. Hope this helps Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hazmail Posted January 22, 2013 Report Share Posted January 22, 2013 (edited) "redg8r" has a great Video tute on vacuum forming here somewhere, probably posted about 2010. Pete Edited January 22, 2013 by hazmail Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ravenlures Posted January 22, 2013 Report Share Posted January 22, 2013 Thanks Ill give it a serch Wayne Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
