Basic Vacuum Forming
03-01-2011, 07:44 AM
#126
03-01-2011, 02:31 PM
#127
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RE: Vacuum Forming
Could you hook the vacuum side of the compressor up to a large and sturdy piece of pipe say 4 inches in diameter x 8 feet and use the pipe as a vacuum storage device with another pipe and ball valve connected to the vacuum table ? It would work like this.Turn on the compressor to the pipe. Suck all the air out of the pipe . Then open the valve that goes to the vacuum forming table . That should give you the quick suction like a shop vac and the strong vacuum of the compressor
03-01-2011, 04:22 PM
#128
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RE: Vacuum Forming
ORIGINAL: LesUyeda
''Could you use the intake side of an air compressor for forming?''
Early in my experimentation, I tried that, and the vacuum ''happened''?? much too slowly. By the time I got enough vacuum, the plastic had started to cool off too much to form properly. (unless maybe you have a really large compressor).
\Les
''Could you use the intake side of an air compressor for forming?''
Early in my experimentation, I tried that, and the vacuum ''happened''?? much too slowly. By the time I got enough vacuum, the plastic had started to cool off too much to form properly. (unless maybe you have a really large compressor).
\Les
Les Use a shop vacuum like AT HOME DEPOT.
03-02-2011, 07:24 AM
#129
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RE: Vacuum Forming
Yes, Chad, I know, and did try that. The problem I got into was difficult to explain, but you applied vacuum cleaner that pulled what it could, then the vacuum pump kicked in; the additional vacuum opened something or other, and you started all over again, and you got into an oscillatory condition that never stopped. I cannot recall all the details. It IS an old age thing:-)))))))))
Les
Les
03-02-2011, 10:55 AM
#130
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RE: Vacuum Forming
I have a large vacuum forming machine and it uses a vacuum pump along with a vacuum resevoir. We have not used it yet, but the sequence of events is pretty cool. Mount the plastic, close the lid which heats the plastic and then pull the handle which raises the plug into the plastic and at the same time trips the vacum switch to release the vacuum from the tank to suck the plastic down tight.
It is about 4 feet long and 12-18" deep. It was used for vacuum forming fish for mounting. I really need to get it running again.
It is about 4 feet long and 12-18" deep. It was used for vacuum forming fish for mounting. I really need to get it running again.
03-02-2011, 06:09 PM
#133
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RE: Vacuum Forming
ORIGINAL: LesUyeda
Yes, Chad, I know, and did try that. The problem I got into was difficult to explain, but you applied vacuum cleaner that pulled what it could, then the vacuum pump kicked in; the additional vacuum opened something or other, and you started all over again, and you got into an oscillatory condition that never stopped. I cannot recall all the details. It IS an old age thing:-)))))))))
Les
Yes, Chad, I know, and did try that. The problem I got into was difficult to explain, but you applied vacuum cleaner that pulled what it could, then the vacuum pump kicked in; the additional vacuum opened something or other, and you started all over again, and you got into an oscillatory condition that never stopped. I cannot recall all the details. It IS an old age thing:-)))))))))
Les
09-18-2011, 06:10 AM
#137
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RE: Vacuum Forming
"is it possible to take a big piece of sheet metal and make a body out of that? vacuum formed?"
"They" used to use a process called "magni form" to do that kind of thing. Instead of vacuum, they would create a magnetic field that would "suck" the metal to conform to the shape of the mold.
I supppose that you could do vacuum forming with very thin stuff, like aluminum foil/Reynolds wrap, and the like.
Les
"They" used to use a process called "magni form" to do that kind of thing. Instead of vacuum, they would create a magnetic field that would "suck" the metal to conform to the shape of the mold.
I supppose that you could do vacuum forming with very thin stuff, like aluminum foil/Reynolds wrap, and the like.
Les
09-18-2011, 12:13 PM
#138
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RE: Vacuum Forming
ORIGINAL: I-fly-any-and-all
Les Use a shop vacuum like AT HOME DEPOT.
Les Use a shop vacuum like AT HOME DEPOT.
I say this regularly because some people go out and buy shop vacs for vacuum forming, and it's a total waste of money.
01-06-2013, 02:59 PM
#140
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RE: Vacuum Forming
I sure wish RCU would do something about the lousy search function. Thanks to Chad for pointing me to this thread from my post over on RC Groups. This didn't show when I searched a few days ago. [:@]
Joe
Joe
07-24-2014, 10:39 PM
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In vacuum forming process of Rotovac group of Canada, the plastic sheet is held against the given mold by taking benefit of a vacuum that's created between the mold and the sheet. 
01-28-2015, 01:40 PM
#142
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I'm going to be cloning a few of the canopies and cockpit kits I have for the several royal kits I have laying around, can anyone tell me what the preferred casting agent would be? I "do not" want to destroy original materials if at all possible. I may just foot the bill and pay a professional.
01-28-2015, 06:59 PM
#143
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Go to RC Scale builder.com
look at some of the posts several have done Canopus using a plaster of Paris product.
Lokk at DRice he has done his in his f4u thread I suggest you contact him and he will direct you to the page of is 400+ page build it is there and he will help.
tell him Sparky sent you.
look at some of the posts several have done Canopus using a plaster of Paris product.
Lokk at DRice he has done his in his f4u thread I suggest you contact him and he will direct you to the page of is 400+ page build it is there and he will help.
tell him Sparky sent you.
01-31-2015, 09:49 AM
#146
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Downside of Plaster of Paris is that its fairly fragile. Its OK if your only pulling 1 or 2 copies. Ultracal 30 is much more durable but can be hard to find locally and I've only found it in large quantities (~50lb bags). If you don't want to wax your existing canopies or buy mold release, a light coat of PAM vegetable spray works very well.
