home made vacuum former and vacuum process

I am showing my home made vacuum former, made from wood, a shop vac, a hot plate, and a bit of hardware.
Its pretty easy to make and use.
If I get enough people expressing interest I will draw out my plans for how to make it and post here.
some of my supplies:
PETG sheets 1/6": a.co/7ZUCizx
PETG sheets 1/32": a.co/bSz3IOh
Silicone Tape: a.co/goiiQOU
Toggle Clamps: a.co/hEQBqTq
Here are general drawings for your use, you will need to make part drawings
www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/jg7jby...

[@leelemon3373]

I'm 65 this year, born in Kansas in 1957. you taught me something new. great job and Thanks for sharing

[@petersolomon3505]

Glad to help. let me know if you build one!

[@MrKite94]

Finally a decent-sized DIY vacuum form machine that doesn't involve melting plastic in your kitchen oven

[@CheeseWithMold]

A hot plate! Why didn't I think of that!? Here I was watching videos on these ridiculously overkill setups because I didn't want to use my oven. Two space heaters with the safeties removed, moving gantries of large coils for heating, etc., etc. One 20$ hot plate and done! Thank you for the fantastically simple idea!

[@petersolomon3505]

Thanks for your kind comment, a friend of mine showed me this idea back in 1990s and I’ve used it ever cents., I’ve improved on the vacuum former design quite a few times, works well I’m just a simple hot pot and a simple vacuum hose

[@maxkielbasa6079]

would an old waffle maker work?

[@HootBuilds]

That is the slickest setup I have seen. It sure goes to show that some extra care in the setup can save a lot of headache in the long run. Thank you for showing us.

[@petersolomon3505]

thank you much, I appreciate the kind words

[@beckyleeevans6855]

Oh, I need this. The hot plate! That's so smart.

[@petersolomon3505]

Going Ape Costume thank you!

[@peteredwards2371]

Nice work. I hope you do post your design 😊

[@peregrinussolutionsllc6010]

I've been perusing Vacuum Forming videos online for several months and there are quite a few very nice ones, but your design is by far my favorite for our purposes. I've been planning on going with a 2 piece station with a heating element below the plastic because I didn't like the pull down method where the heat source is above the material, due to heat rising. I can see it being necessary to use the pull down method for larger or thicker pieces, a la Adam Savage's jumbo machine. Your method is great! I really like the hot plate and the frame latching. Thank you for sharing, you seem like you are very familiar with vacuum forming. I just subscribed after watching this video and look forward to viewing many others! :-)

[@petersolomon3505]

Peregrinus Solutions LLC Thank you very much for your kind comment, it makes me feel good that the videos are appreciated the ideas I liked. Please let me know how your build goes. I post new videos between this channel and Wham Bam Systems channel. Thanks again

[@gregdoswalt]

Awesome video well thought out and to the point and clear video shots of everything! Great Job on the professional looking design. Thank you for showing how it works, what you made, and for the insightful tip on how to use it.

[@petersolomon3505]

thank you for the kind word, happy it was helpful!

[@eliyello]

Just made this! Now we see if it works. Thank you and I agree with the comments saying it is the simplest version, even without any real instruction on how to make.

[@petersolomon3505]

How did it go for you, I just realized I never saw this

[@exoc1]

Did you ever try pushing down the frame before applying th vacuum? Thereby creating an initial positive pressure. I've seen that in industrial vacuum formers, my guess it is to distrubute the plastic more evenly.

[@canaldosotimistasdogesso8599]

Sensacional parabéns...

[@cintaremaja9962]

Amazing idea

[@ingridyoung3882]

This one of the simple and sleekest designs I’ve seen. Please please revisit the thought of posting plans!

[@petersolomon3505]

thank you Ingrid! I will try to find the time.

[@mauriciobellidojr7634]

Great tutorial. Can you please post your build of materials?

[@robcat2075]

Could this be made more efficient/quicker by lining the inside of the heater box with a reflective surface like foil or paint?

[@petersolomon3505]

That’s a good idea, I’m sure that would help

[@carlosjosejimenezbermudez9255]

Please post your design, it's a great one in my opinion.

[@4funrc11]

Hey! +Peter Solomon - I've been looking for an affordable, and more importantly one that works, vacuum former for years. As you know they were once (years ago) quite popular for the DIYer. Anyways, cool. And yeah, pls share all you can. I really gotta have one of these... Thx and thumbs-up!

[@TheFrugalFlyRodder]

Great design on the entire former. I would like to make a couple suggestions... I'm not sure the lid is needed. If you feel it is need, consider a glass top for viewing. When you transfer the melted plastic over to the vacuum box, have your heat gun ready to help facilitate the vacuum in tight areas. Place some insulation foam where the heat box meets the vacuum box around the bottom on the vacuum box. Also, someone joked about burning the house down yet. The only way that's going to happen is if you get distracted with a phone call or a visitor; and the plastic melt down to the burner. Consider a timer you plug into the wall the plug your burner into the timer. Time your melts for each material and select that time on your timer. Lastly, consider using a silicon spray on the pattern to help with the release. AGAIN, AWESOME VACUUM FORMER!!!

[@petersolomon3505]

super advice! thank you, and thank you for your kind words!

[@flashy5150]

Awesome build, works like a charm. I was wondering if you could do a video of forming a 1/25 scale plastic model car body; I was wondering if the model car body would break or melt from the heat and the pressure ? You would have to cut pieces of plastic and glue them into the window cavities because the plastic sheet, when heated, would want to pull through those holes. If you did a “how to” video on this, so many hobbyists would be truly greatful, and there’s a lot of us. Great job and invention, if you sold them at an affordable price, I would buy one. You should design them in small, medium and large sizes and market them.

[@petersolomon3505]

Thank you! Unfortunately model car parts are made of styrene, which is the preferred vacuum form material, and they are thin walled. So they would surely warp with heat. With a bit of work one could back the part with plaster or clay and take a casting and use this for a mold if you intended on making a series production.

[@mabul513]

Would adding a fan inside make it more even heat?

[@JBcabeleireiros]

Ótima dica de máquina vacum formg

[@joselacera8716]

thank you sir for this video is the best video I have seen the explanation is superb thank you again

[@petersolomon3505]

Jose Lacera you are welcome! Thank you for the kind words!

[@mysteryunwrapping9518]

Amazing

[@petersolomon3505]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@lawrenceogden3736]

Great machines great video as well

[@techgeeks1009]

Hello Peter. Very nice work. As a heater what did you used ? What do you suggest (dimensions, watts,etc..) Thanks a lot

[@petersolomon3505]

Thanks, that’s just a portable kitchen stove top. I use it on very low setting and had only cost me like $14, so you don’t need to spend much. I used mostly 1/2 inch ply wood, hope that helps, still need to create cad designs to share

[@techgeeks1009]

@@petersolomon3505 Thanks a lot

[@edwardhaworth5839]

Hi, looks like a good design, did you ever get to post the plans?

[@petersolomon3505]

Edward Haworth I really need to do it! Check back soon!

[@joshsundiwa]

good one thanks for sharing man

[@3DHP]

Thinking about building one for making my windshields for my Ecto-1 I'm printing at 250%,that for the video Peter.

[@petersolomon3505]

your welcome, if you do please share your photo of your build!

[@robertomorais8229]

Bom dia amigo qual o nome desse plástico pra fazer as bolhas

[@benhimifaouzi3413]

Thank you for this tutoriel., please can you post wich kind of plastic did you use..?

[@petersolomon3505]

I find polystyrene is the easiest for beginners, PETG or copolyester is second.

[@RestorationAustralia]

Great video I have to build something like this. What was the thickness of the sheet?

[@WhamBamSystems]

thanks for saying so, I use a variety of plastic thicknesses and types, generally anything between 1-2 mms goes quickly, 3mm is slow to thoroughly heat, I also use EVA foam from hobby supply stores for fun soft pulls.

[@RestorationAustralia]

@@WhamBamSystems Thank you for your advice. I mostly like to use this for the windshield part on tin toy models I thinking more like on the 2mm one.? I heat formed acrylic sheet before but this vacuum method looks much more sophisticated. All the best

[@DLStarbuck]

Is 10 mil ( .25mm ) polyester film okay for forming and will a 3D print of PLA work for the form?

[@petersolomon3505]

DLStarbuck I have never used polyester, but think it could be difficult, Polysteyrene or PETG are nice, can use PLA, but use heavy infill

[@harmonicposting]

good design. do you think lining the heating box with something like aluminum foil will protect the wood from the heat? also, I'll be vacuum forming a large sheet of 2ft x 2ft ABS plastic, do you think a simple hot plate like yours can do the trick?

[@petersolomon3505]

jeth you can use some foil or heat reflecting film, to be honest, it doesn’t get so hot to burn the wood. If you are going to do such a large sheet maybe 4 burners in a pattern would be needed.let me know how it goes!

[@harmonicposting]

@@petersolomon3505 Appreciate the response. I'm trying to be a bit more frugal; are you able to name something that can distribute the heat over that area without breaking the bank?

[@petersolomon3505]

jeth maybe two of these? MegaChef Electric Easily Portable Ultra Lightweight Dual Coil Burner Cooktop Buffet Range in White www.amazon.com/dp/B079T6HJ53/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_tai_vkolFbSTXYD47. Or just one mounted to a stick so you can move it front to back to keep heat even?

[@harmonicposting]

@@petersolomon3505 I ended up getting only 1 of something similar to those, will try and let you know how it goes

[@petersolomon3505]

jeth Super maybe try to mount it to a paddle and leave a hole in the front of the box so you can move it around in circles. Let me know how it goes I am very interested

[@frwy1]

Very good ideas ! Congratulations

[@petersolomon3505]

thank you sir!

[@momensweiti8900]

It is a very good job. Please help me. I have a graduate project on this topic and I want the dimensions and the method of installation

[@ilhemedu31]

In place of hot plate i think beter to put hotgun in hole..nice construction 👍👍🇩🇿🇩🇿

[@mr1enrollment]

Peter, Nice work. I have a small project that may benefit by such a device. I wonder if I sent you a mold - or the STL file of my part, would you consider forming it for me? About 5" diameter and about 1" deep. It is a speaker cone for an antique radio. Unfortunately the paper cones for these old speakers are no longer made. The finished piece should be in the 0.010 -> 0.020" thickness. dan

[@WhamBamSystems]

Hi Daniel, I dont do print services, but I can do you a favor. send to [e-mail] thanks

[@bernman0]

did you drill the holes in 1/2 plywood or something else on your vacuum table?

[@petersolomon3505]

Yes mapped holes then drilled one by one

[@obviouslytwo4u]

This is a great design although there is one design error and that is with the heater. The heater needs fresh air \ a flow of air, coming in from the bottom and the hot air, going out of the top because your heater will click off when the temperature reaches to accept target so the heat of all click off before it has heated the plastic. For the top exhaust ports I wouldn't do them right at the top, I would probably do them a few inches down to allow a brief heat build-up just under the plastic.

[@WhamBamSystems]

thanks, Ill try some holes, but never had that plate cut out before,

[@Silva-yy1bu]

Coloque um outro caixote na parte do meio e inverta a forma de pra virar direto do lado do vácuo que o Sr. Não perde tempo entendeu Amigo mas parabéns pela ideia sucesso..

[@maciejmuller2784]

Hey, can you share how thick is your PETG?

[@maciejmuller2784]

What is the thickness of this material?

[@birddiner]

Hello looks like a great vacuum former. I know you do not have plans but what are the outside dimensions of your heater box. Thanks

[@petersolomon3505]

do you want the frame size? I believe I made it to hold 12" x 12" material which seemed to be standard sheet availability here in Usa

[@birddiner]

@@petersolomon3505 That's good thanks. The heater heats enough for that size I guess? Thanks again will let you know when complete.

[@petersolomon3505]

@@birddiner yes the heater is plenty large enough, If it really helps I can make plans for it tomorrow?

[@birddiner]

@@petersolomon3505 Plans would help. If available. please let me know. Just purchased the IMUSA USA Electric Single Burner. Thanks

[@petersolomon3505]

here you go, they are general dimensions, you will have to do part drawings and find the hardware. www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/jg7jbyrm6d9ovqpdyamqf/h?rlkey=pbqemg8ncbjcuu8r63gh7kre4&dl=0

[@GAGA00816783]

That the reason that i love work with americans all of You are practical

[@jlpgroup5271]

Thanks full video ❤❤❤

[@exknock]

boke.mama.indonesia

[@jtuttle11]

It would seem that if you elevated the piece slightly above the surface of the vacuum chamber the spidering would be minimized.

[@petersolomon3505]

JAMES TUTTLE yes, and actually a wider draft angle would have helped it more if desired, but I was not interested in the external part. I was making a mold which is only the inside cupped area.

[@emameismail]

Is this machine capable of doing on 5mm thick material?

[@petersolomon3505]

It depends on the material, and it’s ability to heat through with evenness

[@IconicProps]

use some tape and cover about 50% of thouse outside holes. You have far too much on the outside. And they are huge. You want the suction to be in the middle of your part. Not outside your part. And wrinkles come from saggy material. If you are getting tailing wrinkes off the part, your excess area is too big around it. So you can make a smaller frame, a bigger part, or raise your part up the distance of the sag.

[@petersolomon3505]

Thanks. The part I am making is raised from the table, the wrinkles are of no interest as they are well out of working area. If I needed a different solution I would have made the mold on a platen to concentrate the vacuum as needed. However, the design of my system stretches the level of he frame lower than the platen thus sealing all unused holes.

[@nicolascabrera2285]

can i damage my vacuum cleaner by doing this?

[@petersolomon3505]

No, I don’t think so, it doesn’t take much suction you are just remove the trapped air so gravity can allow the plastic to drop down, just don’t leave it on for too many minutes

[@thebeybladearmory]

I cant figure out what ur casting

[@petersolomon3505]

Zakary DeLaura a phone stand. Excited to share this item from my #etsy shop: Cool Cement Phone Stand. Fits most any phone, all iPhones, Samsung Galaxy, Oppo, almost any phone, in any case! etsy.me/30XJrcI

[@momensweiti8900]

peter solomon can you help plese

[@chandanmallik2008]

Please share the plans, Thanks

[@harcharansingh3456]

Dear sir what is the material of paper

[@petersolomon3505]

do you mean the plastic, I usually use PS, sometimes PETG, sometimes Acrylic, also EVA foam sheets

[@SYGraphics33]

Hello Sir Which machine brand of the machine

[@petersolomon3505]

SY Graphics brand of which machine? Sorry I don’t understand.

[@SYGraphics33]

@@petersolomon3505 for vacuum

[@petersolomon3505]

SY Graphics I just bought a used workshop vacuum from somebody, any brand will work you don’t need very much force you just have to remove trapped air from underneath

[@SYGraphics33]

@@petersolomon3505 wow that's cool thanks for information

[@petersolomon3505]

@@SYGraphics33 you are welcome! Let me know if you make one!

[@reaanwhite885]

Can you give some dimentions please?

[@ted6090]

How can I reach you

[@petersolomon3505]

[e-mail]

[@xxxxzorroxxxx]

Please post plans

[@ClaudioDAGomez]

Dios mio.

[@dustyparsons7231]

Wax the mold first.

[@construccioncasaideashogarobra]

то это за материал?

[@petersolomon3505]

Construccion y Casa Ideas para tu hogar , I am sorry I don’t understand

[@veek2767]

Seems like a little much with the carrying the box. It could of just been the sheet.

[@linasofiaquinteromadrid6223]

sale muy facil el molde jajajajajaj

[@KJ7JHN]

Needs an egg timer

[@4funrc11]

Well it's been almost a year, and still no posted design. Guess there's not enough interest. Bugger! ;)

[@petersolomon3505]

4FunRC Sorry partially less interest and partially no time I will definitely try to post the designs this week thanks for reminding me

[@4funrc11]

@@petersolomon3505- That'll be swell! Thx. :)

[@yangyedda8092]

Why not buy a new one on amazon? It's too complicated