Vac Forming rig?
- Thread starter Risu
- Start date
exoray
Master Member
This website gives a good overview, the original build thread might even still be around here, but I don't know...
http://www.tk560.com/vactable4.html
jackdoud
Sr Member
I've got a write-up for my small, simple table on my website, it uses a shopvac and a toaster oven. 
http://www.angelfire.com/pa5/jdoud/vacctable.html
http://www.angelfire.com/pa5/jdoud/vacctable.html
Risu
Master Member
Both links were very helpful, thanks. I'd be more inclined to use the small setup due to my low budget and lack of technical knowledge. The one thing I didn't get out of those tutorials was how the shop vac actually bends the plastic or even attaches to the frame. Is he air supposed to suck through the holes in the peg board? It looked like the board was glued directly onto wood boards, which would impede air flow obviously. So where does the shop vac attach and how do you heat and vac the plastic? I didn't get how you get the plastic down onto the mold tight enough to get an airtight seal. Does the heating make it so that it can mold around the pieces, then the vac just puts in fine details?
kimncris
Sr Member
you leave a little air space in between the pegboard and the baseboard. I built one with scrap wood from my garage. Cheap and portable- using just my tiny tiny shopvac. The vacuum is what sucks the plastic down over the form. Surely there must be something on youtube on this. Once you see it you will understand. The airtight seal is created once the hot plastic covers all of the holes on the pegboard. (provided you sealed the hose joint and sidewalls well)
edit here you go
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KUl4WjD23Bk&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qc_FZcGzYn0&feature=related
mine is a lot like the second one, but I use my kitchen oven and my "workmate" workbench to support the table instead of a dedicated rig.
edit here you go
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KUl4WjD23Bk&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qc_FZcGzYn0&feature=related
mine is a lot like the second one, but I use my kitchen oven and my "workmate" workbench to support the table instead of a dedicated rig.
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Risu
Master Member
Awesome videos, I think I'm starting to get it. So to get all the pieces of the forming table to seal, do you just use caulk, or is there something else that works better? And what is the best way to attach the 2" hose of the shop vac?
Basically if you have a shop vac and a heat gun you can build a somewhat effective table for only the cost of some wood, peg board, caulk, and hardware, am I right?
Basically if you have a shop vac and a heat gun you can build a somewhat effective table for only the cost of some wood, peg board, caulk, and hardware, am I right?
kimncris
Sr Member
yes - I used silicone caulk I think to glue mine, and some nails. An oven works better than a heat gun though. I built mine to fit in my oven.
this is basically all I used to get started...
simplified of course. You need to make some sort of frame as well - I have pics of mine, but they are all at home.
you can barely see my frame in this pic
this is basically all I used to get started...
simplified of course. You need to make some sort of frame as well - I have pics of mine, but they are all at home.
you can barely see my frame in this pic
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jackdoud
Sr Member
There are many ways to do it but yeah, that's how I did mine. Some people staple the plastic to a wooden frame, I didn't want to go that route as removing the plastic is a pain, takes a lot of time and your frame wears out quick. Other methods use those big black document clips or even screws.
clonesix
Master Member
That is the site that I recommend. There are many examples from the simple table, to the more complex machine.
I would like to add that the toughest component is the HEAT Source. Anything that is small eough can go into your home oven. Anything larget needs a custom made oven.
Risu
Master Member
OK, so I've been watching videos all over youtube and I think I might try to make something in a few weeks. Problem is, I don't have a clue what to make. I don't want to start something that would require much investing, like stormtrooper armor, just something cool. If somebody could recommend something from Star Wars, Indy, 5th Element, Doctor Who, Zelda, Star Trek, or just anything else vac formed you think I may be interested in, I'd appreciate it very much and share my results.
defstartrooper
Sr Member
Since you ask i'd like to see a cartoonhead mask from IDEAL.
defstartrooper
Sr Member
It's a British comedy about a small time dope dealer called Moz in Manchester played by Jonny Vegas and cartoonhead is one of his customers, he's a psychopathic gang hitman the mask was glued onto his face by the leader of the gang and is permanantly stuck.
It's a bit surreal :lol
It's a bit surreal :lol
Risu
Master Member
I have a 501st related question. I don't have any particular interest in joining the 501st, but I know they have a specific set of rules regarding their armor, and I was wondering if it's considered ok for a person to borrow a set of molds to make their own armor. I think trooper armor is really cool, but I can't justify spending a lot of money on molds to do a one-off costume, as I'm a full time college student. If it is considered kosher to do that, do any of the members here have a set of molds they'd be willing to loan out for one casting? I can pay whatever shipping costs and a little extra for the trouble.
exoray
Master Member
By the time you spend the money shipping the bucks(molds) back and forth and purchase the plastic you could have purchased a set of FX armor done... Yeah, yeah not the most accurate but I HIGHLY doubt you will find anyone willing to lend you anywhere accurate molds anyway, unless they are recast molds... Not to discourage doing it yourself but generally people just don't lend out molds so you can save a buck, molds are costly and time cosuming to make...
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