small scale vacuform heat source?

[badger]

So, i was thinking the other day about a small scale vacformer, and was thinking about the heat source.

How about a heat gun? I know it would easily burn the plastic is focussed right on it, but what about some kind of diffuser? ?

I was even thinking a box with a perforated metal sheet as a diffuser? Or some other way of spreading the heat around to a even heating area.

Think it would work? Never made any kind of diffuser before. I use my oven a heat source now, but a small scale one would be more conveniently placed in my shop downstairs in the garage.

Hrm.. maybe a couple computer case fans blowing the air in two directions to make a whirlpool of heat?

random thoughts at 4:30 AM.

 

[Gordon Gekko]

I'm not sure how small you are thinking, but I used to have a little 6"x6" table and a heat gun worked great to heat up the styrene. Just keep the heat moving around until the stryene droops and then go to town.

Just a small version of what you are probably using in your oven.

 

[exoray]

For about the same price as a heat gun you can pick up a cheap toaster oven to gut out and get a more balanced/controlled heat source... But, there is no reason a heat gun shouldn't work for a small area...

 

[propsculptor]

I have two Big Vacuuformers and I'm working on a Mini-Vacuuformer, for the Heating element I bought a Hotplate (one of those single Burners) which I'll mount upside down to give it the Needed Heat.

 

[badger]

Hot plate.. Brilliant.

I could probably cruise thrift stores and find one, especially at the end of college semester.

Hrm.. I wonder if you use several hot plates to make a larger former? I use my oven now, and I don't really want to build my own oven with nichrome wire ala Thurston Games.

I think the biggest problem is the diffusing the heat again...

hrm..

 

[propsculptor]

Not really (But thanks.), it was just the right scale for my Mini-Vaccuformer.

As far as using several to make a larger former, I wouldn't suggest it. You could make a homemade Vaccuformer like this: [url]http://www.halloweenfear.com/vacuumformintro.html[/url] OR you could do what many do, which is use a Kitchen oven to heat-up the Plastic before putting it on the former.

The Thurstom James is the Route I'm going next for me BIG Vaccuformer. :thumbsup

<div class='quotetop'>(badger @ Sep 3 2006, 03:17 PM) [snapback]1312431[/snapback]</div>

Hot plate.. Brilliant.

I could probably cruise thrift stores and find one, especially at the end of college semester.

Hrm.. I wonder if you use several hot plates to make a larger former? I use my oven now, and I don't really want to build my own oven with nichrome wire ala Thurston Games.

I think the biggest problem is the diffusing the heat again...

hrm..
[/b]

 

[badger]

<div class='quotetop'>(propsculptor @ Sep 3 2006, 06:45 PM) [snapback]1312490[/snapback]</div>

OR you could do what many do, which is use a Kitchen oven to heat-up the Plastic before putting it on the former.

The Thurstom James is the Route I'm going next for me BIG Vaccuformer. :thumbsup
[/b]

Already do that for my vacforming.. the wife has decided she'd like her kitchen back.



badger

 

[Jimbo890]

Hey, Badger.

Problems with most cooking appliances like hot plates, and indoor electric grills, is most are run with a thermostat. The darn thing turns off when the elements get good and hot. A toaster oven is a better option. IMHO.

Jim

 

[BlindSquirrel]

Here's a clever solution using a toaster oven.

link

A good solution for a small former.

 

[propsculptor]

No-one has yet mentioned it but this Forum is very helpful:
http://www.tk560.com/phpBB2/index.php

This site is too:
http://www.tk560.com/vactable4.html

 

[exoray]

<div class='quotetop'></div>

Hrm.. I wonder if you use several hot plates to make a larger former? I use my oven now, and I don't really want to build my own oven with nichrome wire ala Thurston Games.

I think the biggest problem is the diffusing the heat again...[/b]

The biggest problem will probably be juicing them up... Hot plates (in the US) run off of 110v and pull a full 15 amps or so... That taps out the whole fuse in most houses... Chances of getting two hot plates running full tilt for any length of time on one circuit it slim... So you will need to find a place in your house or run a lot of extention cords to provide individual circuits for each hot plate and then an additional circuit for the vacuum...

Everyone hates to hear it but the best bet for larger tables is to provide a dedicated 220v line and use a balance nichrome heater... Normal household wiring just isn't up to the task...

 

[propsculptor]

Not me. That's exactly what I'm going to do in my Garage/Shop, rewire it for a 220v line for a large Vaccuformer

<div class='quotetop'>(exoray @ Sep 4 2006, 10:04 AM) [snapback]1312786[/snapback]</div>

Everyone hates to hear it but the best bet for larger tables is to provide a dedicated 220v line and use a balance nichrome heater... Normal household wiring just isn't up to the task...
[/b]

 

[Great_Bizarro]

Heating element
Might try this one, Not sure how hot it will get. Could always add two in series or trim it to a shorter length to adjust the heat.

 

[propsculptor]

WOW. That might work even better than my Hotplate.

Being Square it would have better heat coverage.

<div class='quotetop'>(Great_Bizarro @ Sep 4 2006, 01:02 PM) [snapback]1312849[/snapback]</div>

Heating element
Might try this one, Not sure how hot it will get. Could always add two in series or trim it to a shorter length to adjust the heat.
[/b]

 

[exoray]

<div class='quotetop'>(propsculptor @ Sep 4 2006, 03:36 PM) [snapback]1312866[/snapback]</div>

WOW. That might work even better than my Hotplate.
[/b]

Read the reviews, it appears it doesn't even get as hot as a hair dryer

 

[Jimbo890]

I'm no electrician, but wiring your own NiChrome wire is easy. Your vac machine will only be as good as your heater, so it's best to just bite the bullet and do the oven right. The rest of the machine will fall into place. If your heater sucks, cause you tried to use an uneven heating device, your whole machine will be a stinker. Trust me, I've tried most of the 'off-the-shelf' heater options, and for a 24x24 inch forming platen, the Thurston James idea is still the best and most cost effective.