XRobots - How to build a vacuum forming machine including my easy heating solution

In this video I'll tell you all about my homebrew vacuum forming machine, including the easy heating solution that I came up with.

Here's a follow up video on this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5fJOhrt001c

You can join my page on facebook here: http://www.facebook.com/XRobots.co.uk

The title music is also written and performed by me, copyright XRobots.co.uk

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[Cwafter]

What kind of a heat source other than my oven could i use?

[jamesbruton]

@Cwafter Have you actually watched the video - that's exactly what it's about?

[illham]

Hi, i wonder if there are any reasons why the box is so tall and if its possible to use one that is shorter?

[jamesbruton]

@illham That was the size of the wood I bought, but it's still quite hot at the top, so you want to make sure you don't burn the plastic by putting it too close to the heater. Also the infra red heat is diffused throughout the box by the foil, so it heats the surface of the plastic evenly, which could be an issue if it were shorter. Mainly I just seemed the right height to me when I put it together.

[MrJester1972]

aw how tall is your heat box iv made a 2ft by 3ft version just need to know how tall the box is

[jamesbruton]

@MrJester1972 tes, it's about 3ft tall

[uccdog]

Did you mention where you got the rubber seal?

[hazwarrior]

can u use acrylic

[Real0Nighto]

thx for these tips

but I still have some questions , if u dont mind answering them

does the mold shape affect the needed vacuum power to fully suck the plastic?

does the vacuum pump limit me , i mean if i have weak vacuum , will I have to use thinner plastic , low mold (height) , size of mold or number of molds (if small molds used simultaneously )

[ppixies]

I've been having a hard time finding a heater like the one you've shown or any really... Like all the ones Ive looked at have a safety feature that turn off the heater if it is tilted let alone on it's back 3: what do I do?

[gamjav]

Excellent video! thanks for all the tips! I'm not clear if the air being vacuumed goes through the wooden mold in order to get all the details, or is the styrene being pulled only through the holes outside of the mold...? you know what I mean...? I'm having trouble getting all the details of the mold on my formed styrene and I know some people open small holes across their molds in order to get more air through it. Any experiences on that? Thanks!

[Paulkozakiewicz5343]

Very clever

[smarfi]

how many watt has your heater?

[JPorkins88]

Thanks mate! Gonna have to try and build one, I need to form plexiglass for some cars parts.