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Post by FrankenMech on Oct 28, 2016 0:47:32 GMT -5
I recently found this Instructable on vacuum forming. Check it out and read the comments. Many comments offered upgrades and improvements. ABS is widely used for many parts on scoots. ABS plastic sheet is readily available in many colors and thicknesses. Molds can be made from original parts, wood, plaster, etc etc. www.instructables.com/id/Vacuum-Forming-for-Free/I think the pegboard idea is great but it would have to be supported with spacers. Very easy with glue and blocks of scrap. The vacuum manifold chamber under the pegboard can be any thickness you want so you don't have to worry about the vacuum hose sealing off if it is inserted too far. Make the vacuum plate larger than required and block off unused areas. A heat lamp etc can be used under or above the sheet. Using a heat lamp etc under the sheet to heat the sheet would work well. Just remember to place a screen between the plastic and the heat lamp to avoid having the plastic sag and contact the lamp. -FIRE- The hinged sheet clamp may work. The heat gun can be used to touch up areas. Holes through the mold itself can increase detail in areas where it is needed. A vacuum 'chamber' under the mold can connect them to the vacuum plate. Expect a few 'problems' and failures. I hope this helps someone. |
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Post by humanshield on Oct 28, 2016 8:57:55 GMT -5
Interesting Frank. Last year I bought a 3D printer and have found a million uses for it. I've always wished I could make larger replica plastic parts. Long ago (in the 60's) there was actually a TOY for kids that did vacuum forming believe it or not. I had one when I was 8 or 9 years old. Oh snap! I found on on ebay!  Here it is! Mattel Vacuumform machine from the 60's |
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Oct 28, 2016 13:26:28 GMT -5
Interesting Frank. Last year I bought a 3D printer and have found a million uses for it. I've always wished I could make larger replica plastic parts. Long ago (in the 60's) there was actually a TOY for kids that did vacuum forming believe it or not. I had one when I was 8 or 9 years old. Oh snap! I found on on ebay! Here it is! Mattel Vacuumform machine from the 60's We had one of those. Wow, that brings back memories. Bill |
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Post by FrankenMech on Oct 28, 2016 14:22:39 GMT -5
I now have toy envy. I always wanted one of those toy vacuum forming machines....
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Post by humanshield on Oct 28, 2016 15:36:43 GMT -5
I now have toy envy. I always wanted one of those toy vacuum forming machines.... It's only $44.00. Go for it Frank! You know what they say...."he who dies with the most toys wins!" |
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Post by Deleted on Oct 28, 2016 15:40:54 GMT -5
I now have toy envy. I always wanted one of those toy vacuum forming machines.... This guy made a nice one and if you look on his channel, he has several videos where he makes different things with it. I like this guy and have subscribed to him for years. Or, as Humanshield suggested, buy the old one...that is not a bad price considering. Bill |
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Post by gsx600racer on Oct 28, 2016 15:43:17 GMT -5
I wish I had a set up for vacuum forming. I have a broken windscreen from a friends scooter I can not find a replacement for on line. I figure I could make a mold from the original windscreen and make the new part from that. Some day.
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Post by pinkscoot on Oct 28, 2016 19:18:45 GMT -5
The scene shop I ran many years ago had a 4'x8' vacuform machine. It could be sectioned off to use only part of it. The vacuum was a reversed compressor and a 40 gallon tank. The heating coils were dryer coils and ran on 220v. The thickest we ever pulled was about 40mil sheet plastic. They were some scenic piece that we needed a bunch of. Whenever we heated it up the shop smelt bad from the dust and melted plastic.
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Post by FrankenMech on Oct 28, 2016 23:27:36 GMT -5
As a child I watched a local company make canopies for aircraft. They heated thick plexiglass or maybe even Lexan in an oven and used a terrycloth covered mold to pull it over by hand if I remember right. The cloth kept the plastic from getting scratched.
A wood base covered with plaster or bondo may work for a mold base with the cloth covering to form a windscreen.
Pink- The plastic dust getting on the heating coils was probably what caused the bad smell. Just like any project or shop dust control is important.
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Post by pinkscoot on Oct 29, 2016 9:54:54 GMT -5
It was probably also the wood dust from the shop. The cover we had on the coils was always going left off. Why we never had a fire with the welding and wood working in the same space. We were young and dumb, it could never happen to us.
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tvnacman
Scoot Enthusiast
Posts: 408
Location: NYC
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Post by tvnacman on Oct 29, 2016 10:41:20 GMT -5
This is a little above my artistic ability. Very interesting!!!!!!
John
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Post by FrankenMech on Nov 1, 2016 11:10:25 GMT -5
It is home shop manufacturing at it's best.
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Post by ThomasTPFL on Nov 18, 2016 23:06:15 GMT -5
Big thing with acrylic is to go slow, both heating and cooling. It gets bubbles in it otherwise.
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