CB2001
Master Member
First off, I didn't know where to post this (not exactly a tips and tricks forum to post this at). So, if I posted this in the wrong topic, I apologize and the moderators have my permission to move it to the appropriate place.
Okay, before I begin, no I do not have a vacuumforming machine constructed or anything like that. I've been considering on doing one, having to have come across my fair share of plans that include the complex and big to one that was simple. And I'm not asking about the designs for one. What I am asking about is in relation to vacuumforming and doing it in an apartment.
Right now, I live in an apartment in Winter Park, Florida while I attend Full Sail University. And after having to have seen lots of props and prop replicas, one of the things I've wanted to do is build a vacuumforming machine of my own so I can scratchbuild original props or prop replicas if I so choose to. Now, as I've stated, I've come across one design that is so simple, all the pieces can easily be stored in a closet. And the only way to heat up the styrene for this design is utilizing an electric oven (which I have). But my primary concerns about heating up the plastic is not only the fact that I worry about the plastic accidentally sticking to the inside of the oven (the tutorial for the vacuumforming machine recommends setting the metal frame with the styrene in the middle on top of four well placed glass bottles, so not to touch the metal rack), but the fumes from the heated plastic. I've heard a variety of different responses in relation to the latter. I've heard some say that "Plastic will only fume up if you're burning it." The closest response that made sense I got was from one user over at Starship Modeler's forums, who used to work for Kenner, when he says "Plastic is going to fume up when heated, no matter what, because your heating it up to near boiling." And, after having to have cooked some food a couple of nights ago, to which I had both the front and patio doors open and ceiling fan on for ventilation, and even after that, I could still smell the food I cooked about a day or so later.
So, my question is this: Do you think it's safe for me to vacuumform plastic in my apartment if I have the front door and the patio doors open with the ceiling fan running and hope that it gets the all the fumes out? Or do you recommend I just buy a heat gun and do the vacuumforming out on the patio where the fumes would least likely cause harm (even though I know using a heat gun to do it would be tricky?
Okay, before I begin, no I do not have a vacuumforming machine constructed or anything like that. I've been considering on doing one, having to have come across my fair share of plans that include the complex and big to one that was simple. And I'm not asking about the designs for one. What I am asking about is in relation to vacuumforming and doing it in an apartment.
Right now, I live in an apartment in Winter Park, Florida while I attend Full Sail University. And after having to have seen lots of props and prop replicas, one of the things I've wanted to do is build a vacuumforming machine of my own so I can scratchbuild original props or prop replicas if I so choose to. Now, as I've stated, I've come across one design that is so simple, all the pieces can easily be stored in a closet. And the only way to heat up the styrene for this design is utilizing an electric oven (which I have). But my primary concerns about heating up the plastic is not only the fact that I worry about the plastic accidentally sticking to the inside of the oven (the tutorial for the vacuumforming machine recommends setting the metal frame with the styrene in the middle on top of four well placed glass bottles, so not to touch the metal rack), but the fumes from the heated plastic. I've heard a variety of different responses in relation to the latter. I've heard some say that "Plastic will only fume up if you're burning it." The closest response that made sense I got was from one user over at Starship Modeler's forums, who used to work for Kenner, when he says "Plastic is going to fume up when heated, no matter what, because your heating it up to near boiling." And, after having to have cooked some food a couple of nights ago, to which I had both the front and patio doors open and ceiling fan on for ventilation, and even after that, I could still smell the food I cooked about a day or so later.
So, my question is this: Do you think it's safe for me to vacuumform plastic in my apartment if I have the front door and the patio doors open with the ceiling fan running and hope that it gets the all the fumes out? Or do you recommend I just buy a heat gun and do the vacuumforming out on the patio where the fumes would least likely cause harm (even though I know using a heat gun to do it would be tricky?
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