-=OffTheRicta=- Posted February 15, 2010 Report Share Posted February 15, 2010 Howdy, I would like to vacuum mold some of my own cars. I can make a vacuum chamber no worries, but I wanted to know a few other things like... what thickness and type plastic sheets should I be looking for. And how warm/hot should I make it before I place over and vacuum? Best way to warm sheets? I am wanting to biuld cars from my sons matchbox collection. Most of them appear to be a very good size for HO. Am I dreaming? Is this something many have tried and few succeeded? Cheers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
motodevo Posted February 15, 2010 Report Share Posted February 15, 2010 How to Vacuum mold plastic Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kalbfellp Posted February 15, 2010 Report Share Posted February 15, 2010 A small toaster oven makes a great heat souce for what you want to do. A small vac box can be made from wood OR electronics project box (die cast) can be used with some holes drilled into the top. The Matchbox cars will need some filling in around the wheels so the plastic will not be draw into this area. A good souce of Clear plastic is from binder covers. Quote Phil https://www.hobartminiaturecarclub.com/ Email Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
-=OffTheRicta=- Posted March 28, 2010 Author Report Share Posted March 28, 2010 Thanks very much for the replies. Sorry I took a awhile to respond. Been on holidays. I will post if I am successful. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Springbok Racer Posted March 29, 2010 Report Share Posted March 29, 2010 Hi guys, Anyone out there that might have some vacform equipment for sale? If so, please PM me. Cheers Jan Quote 'The older I get the faster I was.' Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kalbfellp Posted March 29, 2010 Report Share Posted March 29, 2010 Jan: Most of the vac form machines are too big and too expensive for what we need. best bet is to build your own,plenty of info on the web and U Tube about building one. All mine are self made and I have been doing lexan moulding for over 10 years. Quote Phil https://www.hobartminiaturecarclub.com/ Email Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stoo23 Posted March 30, 2010 Report Share Posted March 30, 2010 Yes, Phil is correct. Many years ago whilst involved in making RC Lexan Bodies and Other Pieces, we looked at a praticular and Very expensive, BUT Fantastic German machine. From My experience, Making smaller Single Bodies/parts from Lexan should Not be Too difficult. When the Object gets Bigger (large sheet size), Heating IS a problem. Unlike other materials, like Styrene and PET , as examples, Lexan, has a Very small window of 'Plasticity' and requires a higher temperature to acheive this State. We ended up installing Ceramic heaters in Our somewhat Crude machine. PVC, PET etc, were Far easier to Pull than Lexan, so acheiving Good EVEN Heat IS Desirable! We Also found that keeping the Lexan Sheets Free of Moisture in Storage was also Very desirable, along with 'Pre-Heating' of the sheets, as it Avoided 'Micro Bubbles forming In the material and Well Prepped Sheets Made Great 'Pulls' and were Very Clear and Crisp. Moist sheets were Less 'Clear' We made a simple Cabinet that let us place sheets flat, with a Fan Heater keeping the Box WARM. Be prepared to have quite a few 'Errors' !!,..lol,..Damn satisfying when you Do 'Get it Right' though !! Quote https://ascra.com.au/ https://aussieretro.ascra.com.au/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.