DamonMiller22

hey everybody. im sorta new to bodies and i was wanting to know if i could form a piece of lexan with a heat gun and a model made from metal? i don't know if the heat gun would get the lexan warm enough to form around the metal model. i was wanting to make a dirt oval go-kart body with the formed pieces. if i could form the pieces, could i still paint them to look good? thanks for any info about this. [sm=teeth_smile.gif]

MadManAndrew

Yes, people make custom lexan peices all the time, but usually use a vacuum forming machine...Most people also put the lexan in some kind of frame, and heat it in there oven.

Somebody with more experience will have more to say on the matter...

HJJFFFAA

You would need a VacuuForm machine. You might be able to use a mold. As for painting, it'll paint the same one as the ones you buy.

Osirisf16

Can you post some pics that show some frames? Thanks

bbhobby29

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BVVE5EHzRnk

this is a small scale but you get the idea.. its honestly very easy.

RGX Blade

can also try contacing RGX at www.RGXRacing.com they would have some answers for you there too....
there other division makes bodies there in there building and can probally help with any questions.....

melonpeel

Where can I buy sheets of virgin Lexan?

RGX Blade

can try the guys over at www.RGXRacing.com they may be able to point you in the right directions

smaxx311

try this[link]http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXA269&P=7[/link]

caci623

It's NOT an easy process. Very few people have made a vaccuum machine at home and had any consistent success. Simply hooking up a vac and taking a piece of plexi (heated up) and trying to form it doesn't work. Several problems to consider, policarbinate must be heated slowly or it will get heat bubbles inside the plexi and it's ruined. plexi must be immediatly put over the mold in a complete vaccuum. It needs much more suction than a household vac can provide. Heating the plexi in your oven is EXTREMELY dangerous. Cheapest plexi can be purchased in 4x8 sheets. Cost for raw plexi material at .030 will cost around $9 to $11 per body as opposed to the price your paying now. Start with .030. Making a mold is not an easy process either. What you see on the videos are paper thin plastics that melt and form easily, not thick enough and not policarb.

dodgeguy44

I don't think the author wants to use plexi-glass but Lexan.

I too would like to find sheets of Lexan for forming.

RGX Blade

our buds in the next buliding have a couple of machines they made....
"Just Bodies"
they can snap out 3 bodies to 6 depending on the size....
i think they even sell the plans but there not cheap !!!
the machines they have one is big enough to do a a Fender of a car...
the other one is about big enough to do 3 to 4 buggy bodies at once....

we asked about it and they said the same...you pretty much have to be able to heat the "Lexan" evenly....
like in an Oven or a bigger type thermal oven like they have where a big sheet will come down on the molds.....
the Oven is the critical part...

ourselves we sell lexan but for most it is not cost effective for most to buy and have shipped....
because there in big 4 foot by 8 foot sheets.....
and depending on "Thickness" can run up to 80.00 to 100.00
which still not too bad for around 3 to 4 bucks a square foot considering if you ever seen it in hobby stores !!
there like 20.00 for a "Tiny Sheet" of around 1 foot by 14 inches.....
i think some hardware stores carry some sizes but not a big selection....

but overall a small household Vaccum wont be able to pull .040 lexan sheets "Efectively"
and with .060 dont bother it cant pull it...

sonicj

My Feedback: (2)

what about like a 5hp shop vac?

phoenix15477

Can anyone please point me in the direction of having a mold sent to a manufacturer for forming lexan bodies? I am really thinking of doing an S10 pickup or S10 blazer for a Pede. Any help will be greatly appreciated.

DeLeon79

does anybody know how much one costs???

and where to get one?? me and my friend are curious...

leaded

A lexan body of the Chevy pickup is already done and on market! Didnt remember the producer, but make a search!