[MAF]

I'd like to make my own vacuum formed bits and pieces such as windscreens and light covers etc and looking to build a simple vacforming machine using my vacuum cleaner and an old toaster as the sources.

I know that some on this forum do their own vac forming and wondered how you do it

Also, who's a good source for lexan sheet in the UK.

Thanks for any help.

MAF.

 

[GRAH1]

lexan is quite expensive I use rigid polythene which is available in bulk at a reasonable cost from any plastic stockist.

 

[endbelldrive]

I use a 1962 Mattel Vacuform machine because space is at a premium. It was bought on eBay for $25 US about six months ago. I used to use a box, hot plate, vacuum cleaner configuration years ago but my mother threw it out because of one too many accidents with the hot plastic.

There is a lot of vacuum forming information available on various sci-fi modelling websites and bulletin boards...or you could save a lot of time and ask Graham.

Bob S

 

[Fergy]

This one is obviously for larger items, but the principles could be used on a scaled-down version for smaller stuff. I thought it was interesting because he covers the basics for any vac-form machine.

Ralis Kahn's Vac-Form Machine

 

[ProfFate]

Hi

For small stuff like that, I do not bother with vacuforming!

You can take a master headlight cover or windscreen glue it up as a master or carve new, and mount on a post. Take a blister pack off some package, heat the plastic over a candle until droopy and plunge it down over the master, It will make a FINE copy this way with little effort.

Fate

 

[Phil Kalbfell]

Graham is correct stay away from Lexan at this time.PVC is a lot easier to form and a lot cheaper. Use about 15 or 20 though to start with. PVC will also hold its heat longer enabling you more time to vac it down.

My former is a craftwood box sealed with silicone and mesh on top. The plasic is held in a frame and heated in an old pie oven.

I have used this for about six years and made hundreds of 1/24 commercial quality bodies.

Interiors can be moulded from 15 thou styrene sheet using the originals as mould provided you do not get them too hot.Styrene is even cheaper than PVC and is a good medium to practice with.

Phil