Vacuum Forming - Which Material To Use?

[Pyrotechx]

Hey guys,

I am currently having having trouble deciding which material to use to vacuum form my visor piece for my Rinzler costume. Currently I am looking at these two materials

OPTIX 18 in. x 24 in. x 0.093 in. Clear Acrylic Sheet (Optix) Glass Replacement-MC-05 at The Home Depot

Or something like this:

11 in. x 14 in. Non-glare Styrene Sheet-1S11143A at The Home Depot

I haven't found much on acrylic forming, other than it is tough to work with. I have no ideas what ArtFunk used on his forming process.

 

[Murdoch]

I would buy a cheap sample of both. Try a sample practice piece, and see which is better. Have you tried googling or even looking it up on youtube. Good luck to you...GM

 

[Judge Spartan]

I would personally try Lexan sheet. I believe Home Depot has that as well. Just remember to pre-dry it first.

 

[Pyrotechx]

I would personally try Lexan sheet. I believe Home Depot has that as well. Just remember to pre-dry it first.

Oh yea, I was going to try this stuff too... Not sure how to pre-dry it, ill look into it haha

I would buy a cheap sample of both. Try a sample practice piece, and see which is better. Have you tried googling or even looking it up on youtube. Good luck to you...GM

oh yea, did some google searches and youtubes... Just didnt find much information on it.

 

[Pyrotechx]

I did some searches for the Lexan, I guess I am just afraid that it will be really thin... It seems, after it is formed, that it is about as thin as the plastic that covers toys in walmart... I need something that will give a little strength! Something that might form as thick as a real motorcycle visor. That is why I am considering Acrylic.

I really wish ArtFunk would list his material used on his helmet, cause it looks sturdy as hell.

 

[Judge Spartan]

You might want to look other places for Lexan, it is very strong, when thick enough it's bulletproof. Pre-drying is easy, place the lexan in the oven at about 180 degrees for a couple hours then just let it cool and run through the vac forming process like normal. Polycarbonate is pretty much the same thing. Good luck.

 

[Pyrotechx]

You might want to look other places for Lexan, it is very strong, when thick enough it's bulletproof. Pre-drying is easy, place the lexan in the oven at about 180 degrees for a couple hours then just let it cool and run through the vac forming process like normal. Polycarbonate is pretty much the same thing. Good luck.

I'll give it a try, thanks for the input. I know Home Depot sells some Lexan so I'll look into it when I get the visor cut off.

Thanks