My Vacuum forming table and my easy heating solution
- Thread starter XRobots
- Start date
SDGlyph
Member
Found your channel today following a link from theeffectslab.com - instant subscribe! Thanks.
I've wanted to try vac forming for a while but have been put off by the heating arrangements I've seen on other builds (or small working area with the heat gun version). I really like the simplicity and especially the put-away-ability of your method - will be giving it a try!
I've wanted to try vac forming for a while but have been put off by the heating arrangements I've seen on other builds (or small working area with the heat gun version). I really like the simplicity and especially the put-away-ability of your method - will be giving it a try!
trooper
Sr Member
so has any one had any luck with building one of these? im interested if any of you have found the right heater.
i seen these http://www.northerntool.com/shop/to...at=HeatersStoves&cm_pla=generic&cm_ite=quartz
would like to hear some updates
i seen these http://www.northerntool.com/shop/to...at=HeatersStoves&cm_pla=generic&cm_ite=quartz
would like to hear some updates
asemblyrequired
Well-Known Member
yes I was just wondering the same . I want to build one for myself .
edit: Your link as one for 19.00 , I wonder if the tip over switch can be taken off so it could be laid down ?
-James
edit: Your link as one for 19.00 , I wonder if the tip over switch can be taken off so it could be laid down ?
-James
trooper
Sr Member
i just have a little heater , it's 1500 btu's, but not nearly big enough, the tip switch it a momentary button on the bottom. if your good with electronics and you find the switch you just need to bypass it or connect the two leads together. at least on the other switches i've seen there is only two leads and it's separate from any circuit board.
im not sure what btu's to look for if it does not state temp.
im not sure what btu's to look for if it does not state temp.
andy19422
Sr Member
Here is the one I built from the video. I have made a full and half size clamp frame for it so I can use different sizes of plastic, all I have to do is remove the centre bit of rubber from the table.
By andy19422 at 2012-03-04
By andy19422 at 2012-03-04
and here is the end result, Stargate Universe wall lights
By andy19422 at 2012-03-05
By andy19422 at 2012-03-04
By andy19422 at 2012-03-04
and here is the end result, Stargate Universe wall lights
By andy19422 at 2012-03-05
asemblyrequired
Well-Known Member
andy19422
Sr Member
Here is the heater I'm using Halogen Heater Oscillating Portable Electric 4 Bar Settings 400w 800w 1200 1600W | eBay I f you look you can find them for £15-£20.
I used one but I am going to try two with a higher chimney to give a more even heat. I was using one with the plastic only 12" away but I was getting a very hot middle with cooler ends so I was having to keep moving the frame around.
I used one but I am going to try two with a higher chimney to give a more even heat. I was using one with the plastic only 12" away but I was getting a very hot middle with cooler ends so I was having to keep moving the frame around.
I've been meaning to build a bigger table since my current one is limited to the size of the kitchen oven but figuring out heating was always a problem. So, thanks to Xrobots heater idea, I now have a 20" x 16" table and a heater box with 2 cheap 1200watt heaters:
I tried it with just one heater and it didn't quite have enough power so I made the box big enough for 2 (box is 24" x 16"). It looks scary but the MDF never gets over 80C (176 degrees F) measured with a non-contact infrared thermometer.
Here's the table:
and here's the first test pull:
1mm plastic heats really quickly - this sagged a bit too much resulting in some webbing but it looks like it'll work.
I need to try some white styrene and clear PETG as well to make sure they heat up as nicely as the black.
I tried it with just one heater and it didn't quite have enough power so I made the box big enough for 2 (box is 24" x 16"). It looks scary but the MDF never gets over 80C (176 degrees F) measured with a non-contact infrared thermometer.
Here's the table:
and here's the first test pull:
1mm plastic heats really quickly - this sagged a bit too much resulting in some webbing but it looks like it'll work.
I need to try some white styrene and clear PETG as well to make sure they heat up as nicely as the black.
It would reflect more heat if it was all covered
that was just whatever foil I could find in the kitchen. I need to find some thicker foil and attach it a bit better. Large foil serving trays would probably work...
asemblyrequired
Well-Known Member
that's great B , I am starting to build mine next week and the two heater idea seems better. Keep us posted on the results.
-James
-James
LoveofCountry
Member
XROBOTS, you're the FREAKIN MAN!! I've been geeking out about your tutorials all night at work. We had a word for dudes in the Army, they were called "spotlight rangers". They'd vigilantly hide useful information from everybody around them so that they could feel all high and mighty without actually growing or learning anything new.
Glad to see there are people out there that have a genuine desire to help their fellow nerds.
Can't wait to build my own Vacuum former. I've been stressing out for months reserved to the idea that I would either have to risk electrocution to build one myself with complex wiring or drop a grand + on a brand name vacuum former.
Glad to see there are people out there that have a genuine desire to help their fellow nerds.
Can't wait to build my own Vacuum former. I've been stressing out for months reserved to the idea that I would either have to risk electrocution to build one myself with complex wiring or drop a grand + on a brand name vacuum former.
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