Do-it-Yourself Vacuumforming

ShocKWavE

ShocKWavE

Well-Known Hunter
Disclaimer: I assume no responsibility if you choose to build and use this :D . High temperatures and warm sagging plastic (polystyrene) can be dangerous if mishandled. Please use caution and be prepared when using materials next to a heating element.

I was going through some old files and found this image and figured I should throw it up. I actually built this several years ago and it served me well with all kinds of miscellaneous parts. The image is somewhat basic, sorry I don't have exact measurements. It all is based off the size of the frame that fits in an oven. This is a basic table that uses a shop-vac for vacuum. Cheers.

vacform_table_shockwave.jpg
 
I built my first 25 sets of clone armor on a similar rig. It's nice having super fancy toys but you can do a lot with things you have readily available around the house!
 
hey, im new to prop building and want to do some vac forming. I know the basics of how it works but what kind of plastic do you use and where can I get it?
 
Hi all, I built a vacuum forming table some time ago which I've used for various projects. I'd never actually shown any pictures of the table before, so I decided to make a YouTube video all about it.

Of specific interest is probably the way I heat the plastic, which is quite easy to reproduce safely and cheaply.

Here's the video: XRobots - How to build a vacuum forming machine including my easy heating solution - YouTube

Skip to about 3:35 if you just want to know about the heater part - I also demo the table at the end.
 
Awesome guys!

Xrobots - do have a tutorial on how you made your vac forming table. I saw the heating process which is excellent. I love the setup.

Thanks for an awesome video.
 
MofDSB1 said:
hey, im new to prop building and want to do some vac forming. I know the basics of how it works but what kind of plastic do you use and where can I get it?
Click to expand...

Most people use HIPS (high impact polystyrene) or abs (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene). I found it best to track down a local source, since shipping is quite expensive unless you are buying a lot of it.

Volume also helps. You'll pay a lot more per sheet if you buy 1 sheet vs. 50 :)


XRobots said:
Here's the video: XRobots - How to build a vacuum forming machine including my easy heating solution - YouTube
Click to expand...

Very cool guide! I agree that the home built wire heaters are a bit scary. I ended up spending quite a lot on the heating elelements for mine, bought from someone smarter than me who figured out all the materials, measurements and electrical requirements for me :)
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Nice video - clear and concise! I was surprised to see that you used such a relatively week vacuum (as opposed to an industrial shop-vac) and yet it came out so well. You inspired me to make my own instead of renting. By the way, you would make an excellent C3PO!
 
I so completely have a new weekend project. This was brilliant! Have you tried larger pieces of plastic with the same heating method?
 
I've only recently started building various replica props, (I've completed a full size 'Portal' companion cube, a full height, half depth 50's style British police box, {T.A.R.D.I.S.}, a flux capacitor, & I'm starting on a replica of Han's ESB blaster), but - if I ever wanna' make somethin' more than a one-off - I think that I might have to put somethin' together like this pretty soon. :)
 
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