Re: Vac U Forming?

["Tesla list" <tesla-at-pupman-dot-com>]

Original poster: "Jim Lux" <jimlux-at-earthlink-dot-net> 

ABS or Styrene work well for vacuforming
Heat lamps are what the little vacuformer I used to use had.  The big
vacuformer had what looked like an electric oven broiler element in a sort
of traylike arrangement above the plastic.

For making hemispheres, by the way, the easiest way is to make a big box,
then cut a round hole in the top.  Lay your plastic over the top (covering
the hole) anchoring the edges.  heat the plastic til soft. Pull small vacuum
on box (don't need much!). Presto, large hemisphere sags down into the box.
----- Original Message -----
From: "Tesla list" <tesla-at-pupman-dot-com>
To: <tesla-at-pupman-dot-com>
Sent: Monday, June 28, 2004 4:27 PM
Subject: Vac U Forming?


 > Original poster: Gregory Hunter <ghunter31014-at-yahoo-dot-com>
 >
 > Has anyone on the list ever attempted to vac u form a
 > small toroid? I have the ability to cast small toroid
 > halves of plaster of paris. They come out smooth and
 > perfect, but they are also heavy and quite fragile. I
 > was thinking of using a plaster toriod half as a male
 > vac u form object. Once I join the two plastic vac u
 > form model halves together, I could sand down the glue
 > joint and wrap with aluminum tape. I welcome any tips
 > or hints on hobby vac u forming. For example, what is
 > the best kind of plastic for this purpose? Can I use a
 > small heat lamp to soften the plastic from above, or
 > must I use an "oven"?
 >
 >
 >
 >
 > =====
 > Gregory R. Hunter
 >
 > http://hot-streamer-dot-com/greg
 >
 >