Vacum Forming

[Jeff Wohlt]

A couple months ago...someone had a couple good links to vacum forming and some home made machines using a shop vac. I searched but nothing comes up.

Could whomever listed the web sites for this method please list some again.

Thanks.

[JimClark]

Ask and you shall recieve:yeah:
http://www.studiocreations.com/stormtrooper/vacuumforming/index.html

http://members.aol.com/GCGassaway/vacuform.htm

http://www.warmplastic.com/how.html

http://www.castcraft.com/prod12.htm

Jim Clark:D

[Sorcerer 001]

warmplastic.com, huh? That's about as creative and inconspicuous as iliketobespankedwithwoodenspoons.com. :D

[Doug Forrester]

I can't get up off the floor because I'm laughing too hard!
:D :D :D :D

[Avenger]

i think that i am going to make on just for the heck of it!

[Sorcerer 001]

You're going to make what? A wooden spoon. Try iwannalearnhowtomakeawoodenspoons.com. Very informative site, I've learned everything I know from them.

[Avenger]

funny stuff!!!!:thumbs: no a vacum molder!

[Al E.]

Very cool Jeff and Jim! Thanks for those links - the top one looks like the most comprehensive, when you back into the rest of the site.

[ccboatworks]

Jeff,

I bought a book on ebay that gives step by step instructions on building a vacuum forming machine. When I'm done building mine you're welcome to it.

Chris

[Doug Forrester]

Hi guys
I have made styrene vacuum-formed cowls for my own boats by the first method for years. Because I only make cowls very occasionally and then only a very few at a time, I found that it isn't necessary to build any type of "machine". A simple wood frame holding the plastic, heated in the oven, a balsa wood carved master, held in a workmate beside the stove and a shop vac is all you need! It works great for next-to-no investment.

[Jeff Wohlt]

Thanks for the info, guys, and thanks for the laughs. Looks pretty easy but I'm sure it take the knack to turn out some good parts.

[Al E.]

Guys, what about the stench of the melting plastic? Do you stink out your house and family? Do your cassaroles start tasting like ABS? Just curious what happens when you use the oven to soften the plastic...

[Doug Forrester]

OK, this is how I do it.
First of all, there is no stench, because there is no melting plastic. If you do that then you've gone way too far. There is only a "stench" if you ignite the plastic, and I think we can all agree that doing so would be counterproductive!
I've only used styrene for vacuum-forming but I don't think that there would be much difference with ABS. I use only the upper "broil" element to heat the plastic attached to the wood frame (usually 1" x 2"). I usually just sit the frame on one of the racks spaced so that the plastic sheet sits about 6-8" from the element. You will have to do some experimenting on what works best for you because every oven set-up is different. Because I only vacuum-form cowls, my sheet of plastic is usually not too big (approx. 5" x 12") and therefore does not sag too far for the thickness of the 1"x2" frame. If you are using larger sheets, then you will have to find a method of supporting the frame so that the plastic doesn't sag in the middle enough to touch anything. When the plastic is heated soft enough to form, the whole sheet has sagged towards the middle and is just on the point of starting to smoke. That's the time to grab it out of the oven and drop it down over the plug. It does take a little bit of practice but it isn't very difficult.

Hope this helps.

[Jeff Wohlt]

Doug, thanks for all the advise. All your other designs and tips have worked out very well for me and saved me a bunch of ordering time....which is what holds me up from building.

The best is the linkage designs you sent me and has worked great.

Chris, I would enjoy reviewing that book when you are done with it.

[AndyKunz]

I've only used styrene for vacuum-forming but I don't think that there would be much difference with ABS.

ABS is much more temperature sensitive than styrene, and cannot be stored a long time and used like you would hope. ABS does not recycle as well - virgin ABS pulls much nicer than regrind does.

If you are molding in your oven, do it with styrene. If you want top-quality kits, have a pro (such as Lanier RC) do it for you.

Been there, done that.

Andy

[Allan]

ABS IS DIFFERENT - ABS soaks up moisture and MUST be dried before vac forming or the water vaporises and ruins the mould.

Allan

[Jr Branham]

Andy,
If styrene is easier to mold and is less expensive and abs holds mositure, what advantage do you get by molding with abs?
Jr. B

[AndyKunz]

Originally posted by Jr Branham
Andy,
If styrene is easier to mold and is less expensive and abs holds mositure, what advantage do you get by molding with abs?
Jr. B

When done right, ABS will have a etter finish (smoother & glossier), stronger material, lighter construction. In other words, better quality. When done poorly, it is worse than styrene (HIS).

The UL1 I sent you was pulled from .050 ABS. If it had been done with styrene, it would have required .060, the glossy finish would have been dull, it would have been a lot heavier, and would break differently on impact.

I had a few hulls pulled from HIS by Electric Thunder when we were testing the molds. One of them has even won a little wood, so it CAN be done. ABS is just a lot better way to achieve victory.

Some companies advertise their product as ABS but it sure looks like HIS to me.

Andy

[Paul]

Hello Andy,

What about the hulls Warehouse used to do, they were molded in thin HIPS and are the nicest plastic hulls I've seen. Granted yours were very nice too but the WH boats looked like they had clear coat on them.

Paul.

[Jeff Wohlt]

DPI told me you had to use extruded material or else the finish sucked and poor quality. THe difference in price is major.

[Allan]

In this arena there are a few products - styrene, High Impact Styrene, Super High Impact Styrene and ABS.

The differences are mainly in the amount of Butyl in the mix..... and cost. The butyl content is what gives it the impact resistance.

Also Styrene hips and ships are more prone to damage by adhesives and paint... Hips goes brittle over time e.g. when painted with some paints and due to the action of Cyano glues.... SHIPS is better but ABS is best. ABS is slightly harder to mould.

Many HIPS and SHIPS moulds will come with a protective sheet on them that makes it look shiny... ABS does not seem to have or need this (it would hold the moisture in I guess)... for the rest I agree with Andy. All new AsTec hulls are in ABS and hull

Allan