(Topic ID: 159801)

Formbox: Vacuum forming kickstarter

By mbaumle

7 years ago


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  • 11 posts
  • 6 Pinsiders participating
  • Latest reply 7 years ago by crlush
  • Topic is favorited by 2 Pinsiders

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    vacheater.jpg
    #1 7 years ago

    Forgive me if this has been posted already, but I came across this really interesting kickstarter for a premade vacuum former. It's obviously too small for ramps, but I can see it being used to make smaller reproductions of things like the mountains on white water and such. It's projected cost is $350.

    I thought it was neat, and would share it with you guys.

    https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1094489804/formbox-a-desktop-vacuum-former-that-makes-beautif

    #2 7 years ago

    Saw that as well. Haven't been able to make out if useful or not given the small form factor.

    #3 7 years ago

    I don't know much about them, but a friend had a hobby vac former that he used for plastic model kits. Formbox seems a bit pricey, and small, compared to some of the others out there.
    http://www.widgetworksunlimited.com/SearchResults.asp?Cat=35&Click=2&gclid=CPG06qbY3swCFQmqaQodrjAJaQ

    #5 7 years ago
    Quoted from mbaumle:

    It's projected cost is $350.

    350 definitely seems pricy compared to making one yourself. Granted the DIY one will not look as nice, but will have the potential to form a larger size for less $

    #6 7 years ago

    Does it have the plastic heater built in on the top?

    #7 7 years ago
    Quoted from crlush:

    Does it have the plastic heater built in on the top?

    Looks like it does, seems you only need to supply a vacuum.

    #8 7 years ago

    You can definitely do this cheaper.

    To heat your plastic, use a infrared heater. Most thermoplastics absorb it readily and heat up excellently. Another plus side is that IR heat only heats up things that absorb it.

    You can make a nice reflector box that you set the plastic on top of, and it warms it up appropriately.

    Here is my awesome drawing of it. I suggest this because it's way better than using your family's oven to heat thermoplastic, and also not constrained by the size of your oven.

    vacheater.jpgvacheater.jpg

    #9 7 years ago
    Quoted from Wolfmarsh:

    You can definitely do this cheaper.
    To heat your plastic, use a infrared heater. Most thermoplastics absorb it readily and heat up excellently. Another plus side is that IR heat only heats up things that absorb it.
    You can make a nice reflector box that you set the plastic on top of, and it warms it up appropriately.
    Here is my awesome drawing of it. I suggest this because it's way better than using your family's oven to heat thermoplastic, and also not constrained by the size of your oven.

    Think what you describe is in the link I linked.

    #10 7 years ago
    Quoted from sd_tom:

    Think what you describe is in the link I linked.

    Good call! Sorry about that. sd_tom is correct. The video in his link is exactly what I'm talking about. This is probably the video I learned it from (from sd_tom's link):

    #11 7 years ago

    Wolfmarsh that is a sweet drawing.

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