Prop: Shop - How to Make a Vacuum Forming Machine

[@punishedprops]

Check out our NEW tutorial for making a BIG Vacuum Form table using materials from the hardware store: kzbin.info/www/bejne/hWicYYKsh95kqMU

[@saborguerito]

These are really helpful videos you guys are awesome but I really am having a hard time finding the plastic bars I see people using to hold a two-part vacuum mold together in order to make things like candles. Is there a place you might recommend?

[@Clockwork6655321]

Made one... great stuff. I found that the sheets sold for the makyu form box are perfect for a 21cmx21cm frame and the plastic is nice...$40 for 30 pieces 2 day shipping

[@ij20man35]

Hi i was just wondering what were the dimensions you used for the vacuum former box? Was the size decided by the inside dimensions of the toaster oven?

[@HandmadeProps]

Lol, since my son watched your tutorial and built his own vac former all of my sheet stock vanished!!.....he has turned it into Poke Balls:) ........Thank you!!......I think ;) Wonderful tutorial!!

[@bradh9564]

That’s hilarious 😂 and your son sounds awesome

[@punishedprops]

Visit our website to check out the all of the tools and links mentioned here! punishedprops.com/2015/11/23/vacuum-forming-machine/

[@infantrymatt83]

do you do work for hire? I need a set of motorcycle headlight covers for glass LED headlights.

[@Doobie3010]

Always like workshops that ACTUALLY look like people work in em! Cool vid too!

[@HiggsDeposition]

Replying so this comment gets more attention

[@PropGuru702]

Then you'd love mine 😂 😅😅

[@defiance42]

Amazing, great quality,interesting ideas,clear speach, accurate tips, inspiring as hell,thanks for making this)

[@jeffnovak5965]

I just wanted to say thank you so much for, putting out these videos. I am pretty new to casting and vacuum forming. it's nice to have a visual guide to these techniques. it makes it seem like way less of a daunting task.

[@alastorfan1172]

I really love this video, planning on starting to make vacuum formed hockey masks soon! 8 years later and this video gives all the best info on how to make them, Thank you for this info punishedprops! I'll be having fun following these steps and making my own forming machine,

[@ruthatguy]

I've used a many a commercial Thermoformer to make big things back in the "real world", this is a great way to make your own. Well done sir!

[@chrissharp5073]

Just stumbled across this video from prop shop. Just the ticket for my modelling needs, I found it informative and an easy to achieve project. Cheers mate.

[@punishedprops]

Right on! We're so happy you found the video helpful!

[@theyarehere8919]

I'm very glad to find your channel. I was watching you and Adam Savage build a foam gauntlet. So I came over to Punished Props Academy to look around. I liked what I saw so I stayed around by subscribing.

[@punishedprops]

That's great, thanks for subscribing!

[@Theopheus]

I know this video is old, but it's clear, concise, not very long. I really appreciate it. If you're still watching the comments, do you need any kind of mold release? What keeps the vacuum formed plastic from sticking to the buck? Also, how thick should the plastic be?

[@punishedprops]

A powder can help the plastic release from the buck. Here's a time stamp of us showing the process on a newer project: kzbin.info/www/bejne/gWndlnp_h8igi9k

[@MadZaxx]

Awesome tutorial and excellent presentation. I really appreciate your style and down to earth personality.

[@ThatOnePrickOnline]

also noticed the Khorne berzerker on your pc background at 4:54. building chaos armour is the exact reason I'm looking at making a vacuuformer! great video +40k awesome points.

[@StephenMattison66]

6 second intro, perfect! Thx for being smart!

[@censusgary]

When I was a kid, I had a Vac-U-Form Toy. It had a small heating element and a hand pump to create the vacuum. This is simply a homemade version of that toy.

[@ryansizemore5064]

Really enjoy clear informative tutorials like this. Great links in description and simple instructions. Really look forward to trying it out.

[@solarismoon3046]

The rubber sanding block was neat! Thank you for sharing this with us.

[@punishedprops]

You're so welcome! Thanks for watching!

[@jaimesvideochannel242]

@@punishedprops what is the thickness of the PETG that you’re using for this tutorial?

[@Nachobullets]

JUST PICKED UP A FEW OF THE BOOKS CANT WAIT TO READ THEM

[@personone6881]

Hey man - Great vid! I’m only new to messing around with all this DIY plastic stuff and this really helps, seems so simple and obvious now I seen one but you don’t know until you know, huh! One thing, if you don’t mind me hitting you up just real quick while I’ve thought of it - I’ve been using Thermoplastic Polypropylene Pellets just trying to mould out a few ideas and get a grasp of what can and can’t be done manually without a 3D printer (which I can’t afford or justify this early into this) and it’s been good. It has pros and cons, like all things but I want to move onto other types of plastics, even silicones and resins… Yes, sorry, I’m getting to my question LOL! - It seems important to give you a little background as to WHY I’m asking as I’m sure it will help your answer :) No doubt there is a tonne of great info out there, only the trouble I’m finding is different people use different lingo or shorten or substitute identifying nouns (“rubber” instead of “silicon” for example) and this is amplified across different global locales, regions manners of speech etc. So it can be completely discombobulating to find out after 3 months that any two “foams” are NOT the same or perhaps ARE the same but one source called it “sponge” instead of “foam” and you see where I’m going despite that terribly broad example I’ve given! Haha! So, please, if you wouldn’t mind chucking me a link to where I might acquire a small amount of what YOU know and refer to as “Styrene” here-in, I would be that much further ahead of the rest of the “Teaching Myself Class” than, well… Me. (About the same as you used in your demonstration in this video would be approx. ideal) (ebay, Ali, whats-the-other-ones… you know!) CHEERS MAN - I’ll “blackmail” you with a sub-up promise if you can!! :) (not really, you can probs have it anyway haha!)

[@punishedprops]

Check out the links in the video description! We acquire ours from Amazon.

[@jerrym995]

looks like a nice way to make tool box drawer liners, so you can tell what's missing

[@velocitymg]

Stayed for the content, subbed for the N7 gear 👍🏻

[@punishedprops]

Thanks so much for your support!

[@grafton261]

I can see a use for it to make a mold for fiberglass motorcycle parts, very useful to copy parts that can no longer be bought from the makers or even 2nd hand

[@Zen_Modeling]

This just gave me a great idea for a small sanding or drilling table, with the vacuumed area catching all the dust Ect... Tired of my workshop shelves having 1/8th of dust every month.. No need for the Vacuum Forming, but I guess it’s there if I do... Thanks....👍👍LEBIII

[@WillSway]

Dude you are awesome ! thank you for all your techniques ! And thank you for your good mood, it's always a pleasure to see your videos !

[@the_amazingspidey_6686]

Great tutorial Bill! I can't wait for the tutorial on how to make a buck to vacuuform.

[@coloneljacobs2217]

2:07 If you're more well-versed in prop making and stuff, I'd recommend that you use an old 3D resin printer tray. I had one for an outdated printer that I never use lying around and it worked great.

[@punishedprops]

That's a very clever idea!

[@runforitman]

I'll definitely be making one of these the windshield for one of my planes came off mid flight, and they don't make them anymore so time to make one (cant make it by just folding sheet as it has extrusions)

[@runforitman]

rc plane, that is

[@supermrt]

Love the hoodie!

[@soarer282]

Do not forget to use a release agent like talcum powder to help get the thing apart after it cools and shrinks onto your item you are trying to mold. just a dusting of it on the mold before you vac form it is enough and helps a lot.

[@petercane6376]

Just exactly what I needed to know to make clear canopies for model aircraft. The expensive or hard thing to get will be a toaster. What about a hot air gun? Will that work? Thank you greatly for the video.

[@thaboivoss09]

Thanks for making this. I though I was going to have to buy an actual whole vacuum molding machine for this

[@ekimba]

Thank you, really enjoy and learn a lot

[@frikkiesmit2695]

I can use this method to make new moulds for my sockets and tools in toolbox to keep my stuff organized

[@punishedprops]

Sweet!

[@clintlucas7604]

Which is beneficial? 1 hole for vacuum or the pegboard method?

[@WilliamJakespeareProps]

Do you think a big enough table would be able to handle a daft punk guy manuel visor?

[@bane426]

it would definitely be able to handle, no doubt

[@Xzo]

Lol, nice to see you here Jake,

[@WilliamJakespeareProps]

+Bill Doran bwahahaha, sweet

[@WilliamJakespeareProps]

+Zachnikatel Gaming nice to be here

[@Jevivrexavie]

+William Jakespeare I thought the same question. XD

[@WildmanTech]

My latest video is a vacuum forming machine. I used a vacuum pump, but it's looking like a shop vac will work even better.

[@DeadExposureDF]

Once you make a vacuum press…Can you please share how you remove the vacuum formed material from the mold without destroying it? Thanks

[@2300Kenzie]

I would have made the frame to fit the width of the oven so you don't need the pan. Also for shapes that are glossy, sometimes it is good to use a velvet coating so wrinkles don't form. It makes a smooth matte finish that hides tiny imperfections. Also a list of melting temperatures for the plastics and an IR thermometer can be handy.

[@bonkerwonker5086]

you can buy a bucket, flip it upside down and drill air holes in the bottom and melt a small hole in the side to make a seal for the vacuum hose. Use on a flat surface so the bucket brim won’t let air through it.

[@punishedprops]

Neat idea!

[@bonkerwonker5086]

Its a dirt cheap dollar store model lol

[@UniverseCafe]

This is a really good idea thanks! I have a bunch of poly carbonate we will se how it goes!

[@AdmiralDravish]

Your guide has made me realize that making your own vacuum former isn't a scary, impossible task. I'm going to make one myself but would like to know what to look for in the vacuum cleaner. Is power/wattage what matters? is a 2400 watt model better than a 1200 watt one?

[@tek4]

David S the amount of air it moves is what is important

[@MrMilarepa108]

they need to really suck, that's all.

[@howtimflies204]

Hydrastone works well as a plug/buck too. The last 50 lb bag I got was about $30. Works like Plaster of Paris but is much harder and dries without cracking.

[@skylarwalters]

What type of plastic are you using what thickness and where did you get it back

[@RestorationAustralia]

Very creative well done.

[@punishedprops]

Thanks!

[@Bidoof_Fan7]

For the actual box part would just a regular wooden box you have around with some holes in it work?

[@ramsildor]

LOVE your videos, and your books are great also. Make some more!

[@cebt]

i actually made one a while ago, takes 600x600mm plates, first project on it is the visor for my girlfriends tali helmet :) biggest challenge has been heating the plastic sheets properly.

[@MrRhovanion]

yeoow!!!! that was way cool! always thought i'd need a big framework and all that other stuff.. this is so compact and easy to make ......love it!! gotta do it ..thanks!!

[@whattheglasses9904]

I used a folding picture frame and a baking with a box below to make one of these

[@StNeotsTown]

Nice video I shall be trying to form my own 1mm -2mm clamshell packaging for my start up business ill use petg, hope it picks out the small detail

[@valic000]

Great clip..I need to make one for the canopy of the model aircraft. ..Will copy it one for sure!! Thanks for sharing!

[@morrisl7]

Whats a better method for high detail works? Thanks

[@Quietnotsilent_Nights]

Just wanted to know an affordable way to make one so I could make a vizor. Thanks

[@elliemae4887]

Great video! What plastic would you recommend for candle molds?

[@punishedprops]

Hmm I'm not sure, that's not something I've ever done before

[@brendoncummins2762]

I have a vaccume chamber for resins degasing and wood stabilizing, just need to make a new top out of peg board and I have a 1'x2' vacuform table!

[@punishedprops]

Huh, I wonder if that would work!

[@ClantonCombatives]

Thanks for posting this, Bill. This pushed me to get back into Kydex holster making. Have you seen the use of a silicone membrane to place on top in a frame to get even more detail? Another technique is placing a piece of rope in a circle around the item, helps create an even tighter vacuum apparently.

[@SteveOLive88]

I am going to attempt to build microphone elements using this method

[@martinwalters1954]

Can you tell me what that small drill bit chuck is that is inserted in the drill press chuck? Kinda nifty.

[@Neoxie]

came here to learn how to make Tali'Zorah's visor... and you have an N7 hoodie. Awesome haha

[@Neoxie]

unfortunately I don't think this technique would work since the piece of plastic would need to be bigge than what can fit in a toaster oven :/

[@punishedprops]

Yeah you would need to build a more custom build, larger vacuum former machine.

[@thenar]

Thanx PP, this was informative...and useful.

[@punishedprops]

You're very welcome!

[@InTheFleshInc]

I'm going to make me one of these, see if I could make it profitable to making molds for people? Thanks for the tutorial much appreciated.

[@mycalbarrowclough6643]

hi there. Thanks for another great tutorial. What type of plastic are you using? How thick? Source? I'll be primarily vacuforming T-Visors for Mandalorian Helmets. TIA!

[@deluxejay69]

Haven't touched my toaster oven since I got an air fryer, I'm definitely gonna have to repurpose it now

[@kenrinck9191]

If you drill smaller holes closer together . it works much better

[@punishedprops]

Good tip!

[@babyhealz1987]

The toaster bit got me... I love this

[@punishedprops]

Heheh, we like to have fun with our projects :) Thanks for watching!

[@gabohXD]

Thank you so much for this, do you think there is any recommended limitation in size for this? I would like to make something about 60x60x20 (cm).

[@azmike1956]

Having done vacuum forming before (4' x 8' sheets) I really appreciate your video. I'm really looking forward to doing some small projects at home. Thanks for the inspiration!😉👍

[@punishedprops]

Thanks very much, we're so happy to help!

[@brettzky703]

Have you tried using worbla, or transparent worbla with the box? Or would the glue totally ruin everything.

[@DymondGezzer1089]

I'm currently making my own machine based off this. What is the issue with using an oven also used for food? As I have limited space so was planning to use our main home oven for the heating.

[@Antlegs]

do you need a shop vac or will a home vacuum work

[@punishedprops]

The main reason we suggest a shop vac is because they're better at handling dust and particles at high volumes and I think they're often stronger, but you can try with whatever vacuum you have!

[@andjon3710]

OMG, Frank Ippolito has a twin brother!

[@Frostfly]

that was my reaction too...

[@gensischosen251]

I have a question can any plastic relate material Will do ? Like Book plastic covers and Plastic bag Will worked for my homemade vaccum forming?

[@SeamusHarper1234]

Subscibed after 10 seconds for the N7 hoodie =)

[@punishedprops]

;)

[@eross21]

do you have any ,diy acrylic sheet bending tools?

[@williamwallace6508]

Whats the best cheapest way of mass producing polycarbonate covers? Thanks!

[@designsketchdz6392]

Thank you for this video and a great work❤️👌

[@punishedprops]

You're so welcome, thanks for watching!

[@Leonardo.Rodrigues]

Great video, Bill!

[@beachcomberbob3496]

And that old toaster oven doubles for powder coating bakes also!

[@parrotroyalty8906]

If I were to form polycarbonate, would it thin it out making it weaker. I'm trying to make an ODST visor and I need it to be strong enough to withstand Airsoft

[@dewexdewex]

Just saw slot the aluminium angle on the flange and leave the web intact. Bend it into shape and epoxy the ends with a patch plate.

[@ianmacrae2749]

What kind of wood and thickness did you use please to make the box with i no the top is pegboard ps your videos are excellent

[@punishedprops]

I think it was 1/2" thick MDF.

[@ianmacrae2749]

Punished Props thanks much appreciated all the best 👍👍👍👍

[@tyleroger17]

what is the thickest material you could vacuum form? I'm thinking about doing this for car purposes but I think the styrene would be too thin.

[@morpho-synthesisinc.4392]

This is great! Question... How to calculate the ratio for the material for a piece that is about 20"x20" x 8" How big has to be frame. It is to high to vac form?

[@mattd390]

Thank you for listing all of the material links. 👍

[@purpleknight1396]

I'd very much like to see how the helmet was made for the costume at 7:16 because I want to make something like that for a project I have in mind.

[@lenaoxton6819]

Hello, Bill! It's so nice seeing you in another brilliant episode:) this one's my favorite forming method so far, even though i haven't tried it yet. but i will try this in near future and question i really want to ask is, any recommendations of PETG substitute? or an alternative. My online service is currently unavailable so......under circumstances, i couldn't find the sheet that i was looking for. And that material is PETG. and i can only buy the material-related product. for example, PETG container (but is there any container that is made of PETG?). Anyhow, in this country, it's rare to find the materials what i exactly looking for. It would be greatly appreciated if you help me out on this project by replying my comment. Thank you very much in advance:) cheers!

[@punishedprops]

The only other clear material I can think of would be thin sheets of acrylic plastic or polycarbonate plastic. Good luck!

[@lenaoxton6819]

Punished Props Academy 👍👍

[@walidkhier]

Thank you very much for sharing. I have a different question though. Where do you get driving belts for your belt sander? I could only find belts for 3D printers which cannot bear the load.

[@punishedprops]

I honestly don't remember off the top of my head, but probably Amazon

[@lauraarnold3578]

what is best machine to buy to make some larger things, like tops for side by side vehicles? Probably 4x8 sheets

[@punishedprops]

Unfortunately they don't really make machines commercially that are that large. When they do, they are VERY very expensive. Check out this video to see how I made myself a larger machine: kzbin.info/www/bejne/hWicYYKsh95kqMU There are some useful links in there abut building a machine and different methods you can use. Hope that helps!

[@ΜανουσοςΠαυλακης]

hi there ... can you please tell me what plastic sheets you use ??? and if you can give me a link where i can order those ... ty in advance

[@convolution223]

Because the mold that you'd make is hard plastic, what kinds of materials do you cast in it?

[@ij20man35]

Hi im wondering what kind of Peg board did you used? Is it the standard 6mm diameter holes with 1 inch spacing? Thanks for the videos, sources and references; very helpful.

[@punishedprops]

We link to all the materials and tools used in the video in the description :)

[@ij20man35]

@@punishedprops Oh my goodness how did i not notice that? Thanks for pointing out to my blind self.

[@Razgriz911]

how well would this work with PLA used in 3D printers as the buck?

[@punishedprops]

You can do it but you have to make the infill REALLY solid so that it doesn't warp from the heat. You can see how we did it in this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/h3THdpd8ir2tmZY

[@beachcomberbob3496]

I'm hoping you'll reply, but my first steps into this vacuforming game aren't working out like your results. I followed this build advice, but am hitting what I expect are noob mistakes. Some advice would be helpful. My first run ended up with a great 'sag' in the 0.5mm PETG, but major pleats in the material over the buck. Would that be due to too much melt or insufficient vacuum? Just needing your experience and opinion on that point. Second problem was, when using 0.75mm material (purportedly PETG, but I can't attest to the actual plastic; Ebay you know) while waiting for the 'sag', the material turned milk white, never sagged to the same extent, and then wouldn't even get close to forming over the buck. Temperature? Or my pulling too early due to the colour change? Does the rapidity of vacuum power make a difference?

[@theengineer9910]

my plastic shrunk instead of sag because i got the wrong type, i just got acrylic sheets, i hope this works

[@gaza102289]

could you use the plastic from a two litre pop/soda bottle if you cut a sheet and flattened it with a hot air gun prior

[@punishedprops]

I tried that and it did not work. =( Here's the video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qYDUY4Z8qbWgp7c

[@FaisOniko]

What kinds of plastics are the best to work with with a vacu-former? What are the advantages/disadvantages for each one?

[@mathboy1212]

So if I made a wooden form, placed a sheet of acrylic over it and slowly heated it, would that work at all without the vacuum? I don't have a vacuum form and really don't need one other than this one time.

[@punishedprops]

For simple forms, that might work.

[@ephwithe7703]

It works with acrylic and PET plastic?.

[@kinghoffbeers4221]

Awesome video thanks 😁👍👍

[@MechDickel]

Super cool! I'll try to build my own!

[@punishedprops]

Heck yeah! Share what you make with us on Twitter: twitter.com/chinbeard