8 replies to this topic

[LukeH]

This DIY build guide I found on Instructables might be of interest to some of you on here;

DIY Vacuum Former

Vac formers are very handy things to have for prototyping and making one-off's etc.. I plan to build one of these at some point partly because I think building it might be interesting and partly because I would like to make some prototype moulds that'll get made into Carbon Fibre parts by Carbon Weezel.

It doesn't look that difficult to make and shouldn't cost more than a £20-30. I've used a real Vac Former at the college I attended during A-Level years a few years ago and found it to be a brilliant piece of kit.

Luke.

[Down&Out]

I am SO making one of those. The possibilities are endless

[LukeH]

It should be quite easy to get hold of the stuff needed from places like B&Q, toolstation etc...

I'll start gathering the bits soon and make one. I was thinking of trying to mount it in/on a large plastic storage box with some kind of small vacuum inside so it's a self contained unit.

If you do make one, let me know how you get on with it.

Luke

[davidv]

Looks a great thing to build. Nice if you could make things like R.C. toy car Bodys etc..
When in the past i was Doing my Giftware Bus. I used large VAC Chambers.I would do the designs then have them made to my own Spec. That saved me Gs.Still had to buy the pumps for them.At the Top end of VAC. Work a mate had a Bus. putting the Metal Finish like Crome on Model Plastic Kit Parts.His Chambers were something special.

[the-green-monkey]

Definately making one of those bad boys

[Ethel]

There's another one kicking around somewhere using a fridge motor. Depends what you're forming if a hoover would produce enough suck.

Microwave spot welder too. Just don't kill yourself microwave magnetrons are well dodgy

Looks a great thing to build. Nice if you could make things like R.C. toy car Bodys etc..
When in the past i was Doing my Giftware Bus. I used large VAC Chambers.I would do the designs then have them made to my own Spec. That saved me Gs.Still had to buy the pumps for them.At the Top end of VAC. Work a mate had a Bus. putting the Metal Finish like Crome on Model Plastic Kit Parts.His Chambers were something special.

[davidv]

Yes Ethel it was my line in Fine Art Giftware.Good pumps cost loads and you need a top bus. Ticket to buy a new one.Hospital Class.Mine were from Northern Sci. Lab. and cost to much.single & 2 stage.
May be a secound hand Extractor Vac. Rotary one. they use them in wood and Spray Booths.

[Ethel]

The vacs I've measured (don't ask) are good for -5 to 7 psi fridge pump is supposed to do about 1 bar. A combination of both could be good as fridge pumps don't have much flow - they are great for vacuum bagging though.

Yes Ethel it was my line in Fine Art Giftware.Good pumps cost loads and you need a top bus. Ticket to buy a new one.Hospital Class.Mine were from Northern Sci. Lab. and cost to much.single & 2 stage.
May be a secound hand Extractor Vac. Rotary one. they use them in wood and Spray Booths.

[davidv]

I had to use large Vacs to remove all air with heavy liquids and fill moulds.Mine had to go down a lot.After years i never used a Gauge .Giftware.Resin. Fibre G . silcone Mould making etc...