Adam Savage's Favorite Tools: Great Budget Vacuum Former!

[@tested]

Budget Dental Vacuum Former: amzn.to/3uYd3Ez .03" Styrene sheets: amzn.to/3pwUQwH You can watch Adam demo this Vacuum Former in VR with Oculus TV! www.oculus.com/experiences/media/802834256715296/304154064598376/ More about Adam's old vacuum former: kzbin.info/www/bejne/oqS7fXqKarNlq9E

[@rioncitylife1917]

Hi Adam, you must of had a good phone because the video looked very good I actually need a new vacuum just the household kind

[@MarksGoneWicked]

Under the listing for the former, I saw a dental sandblaster and my jaw dropped. $250 for a tiny sandblasting unit?! Yeah, I think I need one in my shop.

[@rioncitylife1917]

@@MarksGoneWicked how much are they usually,? I bet Adam is going to use that little vacuum machine alot

[@TedHubble]

Oculus link broken for anyone else or just me?

[@chriskeeble]

@@TedHubble Me too - Oculus link isn't working. Would love to try it!

[@lockpickinglawyer]

Thanks for featuring this… I have a couple projects for which this will be perfect. 👍

[@thecrazything95]

Masterlock is trembeling in fear

[@iVolkswagen]

OK FOLKS

[@Sirenhound]

"...picked open using only a dental vaccuum former"

[@jacobthomas1245]

I love to find out one creator I follow watches another!!!:)

[@Ottophil]

@@jacobthomas1245 everyone follows everyone

[@Mantakev]

Very nice. I’ve been using one most weeks for the last 30 years in my Dental Laboratory. Don’t forget you can fill the bottom area above the vacuum with ball bearings to allow different depths of form. This also means you can place items in that have an undercut and use the ball bearings to stop the form being pulled into the undercut. Great channel mate !

[@Evergreen64]

You can tell how good a tool is by how excited Adam is about showing it to people.

[@jakobvanklinken]

He has been a presentor for a large chunk of his life. I bet he can pump himself up for anything he has even mild interest for

[@akkhoroffline]

I love how Adam has a tiny version of most tools in his shop now. Time for a mini lathe Adam!

[@RabeHK]

A cute little Proxxon

[@flintersroo4386]

Unimat lathes like the classic DB2000 are still popular and desirable.

[@cavemanvi]

THIS OLD TONY HAS ENTERED THE CHAT

[@mromutt]

I actually just got one of those micro $40 lathes XD and now im the process of building a slightly bigger more robust one with its part. I would love to watch him build one, I would gladly sit through a build series for that!

[@schwig44]

M A N I L A T H E

[@erikaswanson7072]

I work with this everyday. I'm a dental assistant and I've been an Adam Savage fan for decades!

[@JanTuts]

Every time I see your homebuilt vacuum former, for a split second I think it's a popcorn machine :D

[@arimadx]

I see a gumball machine! Glad I'm not the only one😂

[@jlondon1441]

Now there is a fun, impractical project. Clamp a thin piece of sheet metal ( tin? Steel?) into it and lay out some oiled popcorn kernels. See if you can get it to pop. As I’m writing I’ve pivoted to a pouch made from aluminum foil with the kernels inside being clamped in the machine. Pretty much stove top jiffy by then. As long as the heat is even enough, allowing kernels to pop relatively at the same time and not burning the kernels or oil.

[@Lions1977]

agreed. every. single. time. lol

[@Reimaginedmodels]

Entered the rabbit hole on Amazon and already found this! Led me to a search on making my own, but came across this video. Thanks for this video! Hold on my Adel tool is here! Love that tool!

[@krimke881]

I really love re-purposing tools. you can find amazingly similar tools in every profession, just a tiny difference to acommodate the needs for a profession. And finds like these are the best :)

[@EthanfromEngland-]

Very true and the prices vary depending on how they are marketing it as well!

[@BrothersAcrossThePond]

nothing brought me more joy than having to hear adam censor himself at 7:50. the only thing that would have been better would be hearing adam actually say "CHECK THAT SHIT OUT!" LOL

[@TheNiteinjail]

Somewhere there is a warehouse that's had pallets of those things slowly selling has no idea what's coming haha

[@wmgriffin5602]

It's already down to 19 in stock on Amazon

[@RNMSC]

They knew enough that the price bumped up to $159 now.

[@assuredgrave]

@@RNMSC You may be able to pick up a second-hand one, check with larger dental labs as I know we have two just sitting in the cupboard as there are much newer and fancier machines used now that use pressure

[@RNMSC]

@@assuredgrave Also down the list, someone linked to a same machine from MicroMark for $124. So it's likely to be available elsewhere. I wouldn't expect any e-bay auction low price wins any time soon though. :-)

[@VinnyGjokaj]

@@RNMSCcrazy now it’s only $69 now

[@BenjaminVaterlaus]

Used one very similar to that when I worked in a dental lab. The reason for the higher position is because the thick, rubbery film we'd use were for tooth grind guards and needed to be closer to the element. Worked great for ages.

[@CraftComputing]

This is awesome! I'm slowly piecing together a makerspace, and this will absolutely be getting a home there.

[@mkusanagi]

great to see you watching these vids as well!

[@derikhackney9335]

Just got one after watching this video, I've got amazing results with this tool!

[@fjbrady]

I still have a Mattel Vac-U-Form from the early '60s. I loved that thing when I was a kid.

[@claydoughty7182]

Do you still use it for models or anything serious? I’m just now looking into vacuum farmers, and was wondering if that is a viable option.

[@GeekRedux]

Styrene appears to be laser-safe, too, so combining this with a laser cutter could lead to some very cool projects.

[@josejn2007]

He made me buy one Budget Dental Vacuum Former. Great seller.

[@DavidAllen-i5g]

Thank you Adam,I just ordered 1 for 112.00 and will have it in about 1 week. David in Texas

[@joshhooker7390]

I've met Adam and spent some time geeking out with him on different things. Very genuine guy, exactly how he is in his videos. I wish his enthusiasm came in a 6pack!

[@Connorcreatorprops]

You know what I love about Adam's videos most? As someone who has worked in the prop industry independently and professionally for legacy effects for a while, I know how hard it is to be able to do the Hobby as a job, Since leaving legacy it's been very difficult to open my own shop/studio and very difficult to be able to pay my bills and be able to enjoy my hobby and passion, it makes me happy to see someone as passionate as he is just straight up enjoying his life and enjoying the hobby without the burdens of needing to work a 9-5 that pulls him away from it, and he chooses to use this gift to make content to help others who are passionate and trying to learn. granted, I work at NASA and love it but I'd rather be in my shop haha

[@Sayyadina42]

Not only does it work great but I really like the design and colors. It looks like it would belong in a 1950's ice cream shop.

[@jamieclay007]

Good call - when I was a kid, we had a Vac-U-Form and it was so freakin' great. This is a great 'adult' version of that toy.

[@juhanaleiwo]

You could use a big vacuformer for small parts by making a board with a hole in the middle that covers the wasted space on the vacuum bed, with the hole the size of your smaller sheet. You'd need a small frame for the sheet too, though.

[@chuchuchip]

I remember in the 60's, Mattel came out with a vacuum former. It was slightly smaller than Adam's red machine. One side had a hot plate, the other had the vacuum side with a hand pump & a plastic holder you would flip over from heater to former, then you had a handle for the hand pump. I got one for Xmas but didn't try it for a while because I had to save my allowance for plastic sheets. It had a few pieces to start but like a typical guy, I didn't read directions. I needed a couple of boats for flat car loads & I wanted different color boats. After a couple fo failures, I read the directions. Now once I mastered the procedure, I had so many boats I had to get more flat cars. Boy, was I happy my father liked trains, my mother lost her basement every winter to a gigantic layout. Best use we got out of the 5 ping pong tables (summer they doubled as buffet table when the family came to visit). I miss those days building with my dad even though he hated that my modeling was better! I wished I had kept that vacuum former.

[@monopolylife]

My son just got one thanks to your review. He was just as excited as you were! He’s wanted one for ages. Thank You he loves it.

[@minipaintinjohn4490]

Thank you so much for showing me this Adam. I have literally been looking at this exact thing for the last 2 years after I watched a video of yours on styrene. Been on the fence because I couldn't find anyone really showing if it would work with styrene. This is fantastic and I'm thrilled at the possibilities.

[@jeffsaxton2051]

We had one of those mythical small red vacuum formers at my old employer, a professional model shop in St. Louis. They still have it, but as you say, it's impossible to find nowadays. So I had been looking for a usable replacement and found this dental one a few years ago, used. As you have found, it is an amazing piece of kit, and really fills a useful niche in any shop setting. As a plus, my girlfriend has the teeth block from her dentist, and I can now make replacements for her for her dental needs!

[@jeffsaxton2051]

The Vac-U-Form machine was made by Ron Charles & Associates (RC Vac-U-Form) in Wilmette, Illinois (Chicago area), circa 1988 to 1991. ​​I recently inherited the 8 x 11 size machine from my old employer, a St. Louis area professional model shop that just closed. That machine was $450 new in January 1990.

[@jeffsaxton2051]

The 'Deluxe' model allowed for use of 9" x 12" sheet stock; the 'Deluxe XL' was made for 12" x 18" sheet stock, and the 'Supra Deluxe' used 16" x 24". The 'Deluxe' model measures 24" tall, and the footprint is 13" x 10.5". It weighs about 35 pounds. I don't have information on the price and of the larger machines.

[@Waltkat]

I first used a vacuum form machine back in the sixties. It was sold by Mattel (yes, the toy company) called the Vac-U-Form for kids to vacuum form their own HO scale car bodies, boats, and other small toys. Great fun. You can still find them in the used market for very reasonable prices. Of course, finding the plastic sheets may be a problem, unless you make your own.

[@alekhidell9373]

Adam great video. I am a dentist and we use the vacuum former for making mouthgaurds for patients in contact sports.

[@larrysacks8927]

Very cool Adam and brings back memories when I did vacuum forming in Highschool shop class back in 1978…I know I am old

[@jeffnash5691]

I was fortunate enough to take Fon Davis's class on making the vacuum former. It was a fantastic class! I welded the frames and then got distracted lol. Hopefully will finish it someday soon. Love your videos Adam! Thanks for sharing what you have learned over the years. Cheers!

[@MossRods]

I've been using one of those machines for a few years now to make model car parts ( body panels, molds, windshields ect ) and I absolutely love it!

[@davidwalker4426]

What clear plastic do you use for windshields?

[@MossRods]

@David Walker clear plastic from to-go containers or blister packaging

[@stevehammond9156]

You have to love Adam's energy! If the detail is not very fine and there are not undercuts, these vacuforms can work very well to use as molds to cast resin.

[@alanduncan5998]

Adam combed his hair for the new camera🤩. It looks great. Old vs new camera ... both have pluses. Adam is so very excited to find this new inexpensive but high-quality vacuformer- that it could be filmed on on anything and come across as great and interesting. BTW - Dentist have some awesome equipment so don’t overlook the resource.

[@darrenalmgren634]

Adam talking about tools and the advice about making gives off serious Wallace from Aardman Animations vibes. And I am 100% supportive of that.

[@jimsmalleimb7709]

I just bought one of these as a result of watching this video. I had built my own vacformers before (box, frame, vacuum cleaner and oven!) and this one does cost twice as much in Canada (when all considered like taxes, dollar didfference etc.) as the USA price, but it works really well. My hope is that even though this is cheap Chinese made stuff, its simplicity of design will ensure it works for the rest of my life.

[@Bigrignohio]

Looking at the camelcamelcamel price history it seems to reach a low of $95 regularly. Although that may change once the "Tested death hug" hits the seller.

[@SimonHollandfilms]

this looks perfect for my model shop.

[@nickleonard430]

Finally a way to duplicate parts that take me 20 hours without having to make each individual one... LIFE SAVER Adam

[@wdwerker]

I do a lot of vacuum clamping of wood parts and to get a stronger initial pull I added a vacuum tank under my bench. 8 ft of Sch40 6” PVC capped at both ends. Pump pulls the tank down then a foot pedal valve opens the clamping fixture to the vacuum. Probably won’t work with the little dental vac-u-form but if you have a shop made bigger one it might.

[@jasonbriguglio]

How you mentioned about the camera and covid time videos, I love the videos you have put out just yourself this past year. Im sure its way easier for you having someone record but I love videos like this. Just Adam doing his thing!

[@puttyanimal3909]

This is really interesting. Do you think it would work with clear acrylic as thin as .5mm? I use it for canopies on models, but find it is prone to tearing if I plunge mould it too deeply.

[@gerardhughes]

Well, I like your self shot cell phone videos. They look great and your sound is clear. And they don't have excessive camera movement, as many of the pre-covid videos. The simple cell phone videos have the most important thing: Adam Savage.

[@kzookid2051]

Great VF! It reminds me a lot of the Vac-u-form I had as a kid. You had to pump the vacuum yourself, but it worked great. This will let a whole lot of Makers finally get into vacuum forming.

[@the4thj]

I was taught plastics in school and the many versatilities of plastic. I took ALL the shop classes we had, wood, metals, and plastics.

[@keepitonthelowdown]

had one close to 2 years now, such a good little machine for any shop

[@wolfe1970]

Still trying to figure out how i can get my head in one to do a dental impression

[@robertharris8106]

You probably need a longer lever to get enough force behind it....It could get a bit messy though! 😉

[@Reactordrone]

Alginate, copy and then vacform ; )

[@fmhummel]

They are used to make mouth guards and splints, not impressions. You first take an impression, make a plaster model and stick that into the machine.

[@jakudahsymba5453]

I’m a Registered Dental Hygienist, and really the plastics we typically use are a thin clear plastic for retainers to a thicker rubber type for mouth guards.. All the plastics will have a very high registration accuracy because they have to fit perfectly for teeth. You work them the same exact way as you did the styrene..

[@UncleKennysPlace]

Ha, my dentist gave me his a decade ago! I use it for oddball things; once I made a wax model from a broken part for a lost-wax aluminum casting.

[@BrassMtn]

Gotta love Adam and his experience and knowledge!!! This machine he built is perfect!

[@workbenchz]

Really nice for small jobs, and what's really neat is the frame on this is held up from the platen on a riser, so that the plastic has to expand to the base of the buck instead of having to shrink to the base of the buck and create webbing. I went the home built route of a plywood sheet with a vacuum cleaner hose in the middle, and used the kitchen oven to heat the plastic. The upside was that it can take any size frame I want to build so that I'm not wasting plastic.

[@viktorrietveld]

OOOHHHH NICE!!! Now to see if I can find one in the UK edit; Totally available in the UK!

[@johnrobinson4445]

Price already went up 25%. In a day.

[@flintersroo4386]

The Savage Effect on pricing is well known. And honestly I'm okay with it as it shows just how effective Adam is in getting information out to people that want to create. That said, I ordered one for $105 from Ebay as Amazon is already at $150.

[@tomhorsley6566]

At least the price only went up, sometimes they are almost immediately out of stock.

[@kenny-d]

$95 to $148.99 in less than five hours. Dang

[@KenworthW900HG]

$179 now

[@jayphilbin2871]

Just ordered - $179 for me too. There were other sellers as low as $149, but the one Adam linked to is rated 1200 watts, the others 1000 watts. Who knows, maybe the same machine playing fast and loose with the specs.

[@Herfinnur]

Thank you for not cutting or fast forwarding the cool bits!

[@chronicgaming3280]

I know in the uk Evergreen Scale models sells Styrene in white, black, red, blue, yellow and green. This is an excellent bit of kit. Keep up the great content 😀👍

[@alfandersson3593]

Today I went to study for a course in "Metals and Polymers", and had to find out what vacuum forming of thermo plastics is. I didn't know about vacuum forming until today, now I'm hooked

[@nateolmsted22]

We just picked up this same model for our new dental lab! Glad it has the Savage seal of approval! 👍🏼👍🏼

[@TheNeojanus1]

Caught yourself there Adam. "Check that sh.."

[@cavemanvi]

he was actually going to say "check that sh-ape ... you fucking bitch"

[@arimadx]

I know hes trying to keep everything "family safe" but I dont think that a couple S bombs here and there would be the end of the world. But it's his channel so ..... love everything he does though

[@kwanarchive]

Check that shape.

[@mromutt]

Its not a real shop without swearing ;) mostly when you screw up or hurt yourself hahaha

[@MontanaDoe]

This is life changing! I can't believe it. I'm definitely getting me one of these

[@MiraScarletMade]

I love your excitement at the results!! I can't stop thinking about using it for little chocolate molds haha this would be really great for small cosplay accessories too!

[@tagsdm]

My wife bought me one of these a while back and it's been terrific. Used for 1/72 and 1/48 canopies and other parts, it's got that 50-60 year old Mattel toy beat by a country mile.

[@Frontseat_Driving]

Where does she source the clear plastic?

[@tagsdm]

@@Frontseat_Driving Usually one of the online hobby stores like Squadron Shop or Sprue Brothers. It's just clear styrene.

[@Frontseat_Driving]

@@tagsdm Thanks I appreciate the response!

[@truekaliban4674]

I scored one of those FOR TEN BUCKS, at a local shop. The dealer had no idea what it was and I only suspected that it was a vacuum former. Sometimes, life is super-sweet!

[@smappdooda]

I've been using one of these for YEARS. There is a newer budget vacform machine they sell at Michael's with a slightly bigger bed but it has a learning curve and requires your own vacuum which isn't that big of a deal. These dental ones are amazing for small stuff.

[@BigManko]

Thank you Adam! Thats an awesome tip, i will get one. It seems way better than the "We R Memory Keepers" one which needs a shopvac.

[@eeepeeep5206]

Awesome Adam ! Thanks for showing us this

[@Man13471]

Hi … great video … what’s the maximum height of the part you can vacuum in this machine?

[@bernhardb6190]

Am I the only one that prefers the self shot videos? I think they are more chaotic, real and authentic. I can definitely relate more to the chaotic Adam..

[@acidhelm]

I see benefits to both styles. Adam isn't always great at framing shots, and for this one, getting good close-up video is crucial for us to understand the tool. But for one-day builds, I prefer Adam's style since he can take as long as he wants to explain stuff and tell stories.

[@harveyconway6036]

You are not alone.

[@tankmodeler]

For those of us who have had and still use the ancient Mattel Vac-u-former from the late 60s, watching a home machine pull even 30 thou sheet is impressive. 60 thou is amazing!

[@cpace123]

I got one of these, so for I am enjoying it. I do small parts, and this is perfect. And price is right up my alley. Never though I could afford vacuuming forming.

[@neilcaywood3803]

thank you Adam! I really mean that, This is exciting.

[@missyd0g2]

I had on as a kid. I loved it. It was a great Christmas gift

[@Jurvaa]

For colored styrene, I got some from a guy, who made those carved name plates. There are usually 2 or 3 sheets laminated together.

[@a.jacobson2932]

Thanks for sharing your opinions Adam.Just ordered one of these. Love the vids. Keep'm coming!..

[@GuanoLad]

The retro cast-iron style of it is intriguing.

[@hulk239239]

I've been looking at these on Amazon for ages, but couldn't find any good reviews about it. Thanks Tested for testing and recommending it!

[@LukebridgesCoUk]

Kind of find the fixed camera, or other hand held camera weird after really enjoying the slightly shakey, but more natural feeling phone on long bendy arm shots

[@Canyonman44]

I like the phone camera better. More "homey" feel and I think a better picture. IMHO

[@cavemanvi]

after a full pandemic of not working you're still trying to get this guy out of the cinematography business? way to go butthead

[@clixx13]

@@cavemanvi Calm down, you literal child

[@Canyonman44]

@@cavemanvi Huh?? Not at all! I was just saying I like the home flavor feel of the, I guess iPhone, better.

[@caddyguy5369]

I have to make some automotive buttons and came across these on amazon. Going to give it a shot. I was always planning on building one, but this should be the perfect size for buttons and saving material.

[@Chimpinalls]

I got to use one of those when I was working on the Chiodo Bros. Alien X-mas. Great tool!

[@bzqp2]

Huh. I was planning to build myself a cheap, homemade, 40x50cm vacuum former that would cost me around 10-20usd (making use of the kitchen oven and a vacuum cleaner I already have) but I was thinking that perhaps it's not worth it and I could probably just buy a professional vacuum former for around 35usd. Learning that this tiny thing costs 120-170usd really seals the deal for me. :o I'm building the 10-20usd one myself, no regrets!! :o

[@bzqp2]

@@grayhand860 1 year later and I actually decided to make this homemade former out of some MDF and cheap alluminium profiles. The final budget was around 18usd (15eur) and I'm loving it. :D Using the oven to heat the plastic and a vacuum cleaner to get the suction on the form.

[@chrisadelaide5872]

This looks perfect for my hearing aid ear mould manufacture setup

[@erik365365365]

This episode was everything

[@GreyDevil]

That thing looks like a dalek, would love to see Adam mod it to look it one :D

[@malanok]

I collect warhammer, and at first wasn't sure, but what a brilliant way of making scatter terrain which is identical (for tournaments etc)

[@scottimusgarrett15]

That's really a cool tool! Thanks, Adam!

[@jardinestirling1916]

I love seeing you excited about new toys :)

[@dougcookboo-boo12]

Adam I work in vacuum forming I find this little product amazing can't wait to tell my boss about it I work on a machine that's ten times this size and I vacuum form 3/8 polycarbonate on a large scale

[@struman5684]

Hey, not trying to be mean or put any undone pressure or negativity into the space, but I'd prefer if you continued to film everything on your phone. The production quality makes it feel impersonal. The difference is stark, and I don't really enjoy the "filmed" videos. It's not just the lighting or the framing, though those contribute. It's a vibe thing, and your pandemic content was so utterly the vibe that I enjoy. This is just one voice among many, I am sure many people don't mind the difference, and you may ignore this input in that case. Thank you for all the great content you made over the last year and a half it was extremely helpful!

[@mromutt]

I have been seeing these on amazon (sometimes a bit cheaper) and everytime I see them im so tempted lol just for mold making, I like making things out of concrete like trays, coasters and little pots and the like.

[@cyberdragon451]

I bought one of these yesterday on Amazon after seeing this video, today when looking at the options they all jumped about $20-$30 higher then before.

[@andrewturner1677]

Nice! yep getting one! Thanks for showing us how it works!

[@rockdog2584]

I spent 3 years vacuum forming parts for medical braces (orthotics) out of polyethylene or polypropylene (1/16" up to 1/2" thick), but I've never tried styrene. It's a fun process to work with.

[@joeortiz3455]

Very nice lesson on vacuform, thank you!

[@cyberdragon451]

I have a couple projects this will help out with, just bought one from Amazon and should have it by Thursday. Looks amazing on the demos.

[@jamesstrauch1517]

would you happen to have a link for the .30 12x12 clear sheets i would need for this machine on amazon?

[@DvirLevy]

This is amazing. Thank you for making me aware it exists.

[@michaelbaykara2322]

I've seen this pump being used to replicate model car windshields with acetate after a mishap and it was a pretty expensive proposition, i think this is a must must for a modeler or maker in this price point.

[@AdricM]

You can get all sorts of colors as party plates look for #6 plastic plates. I got one of these four our makerspace about 7 years ago! i love it!

[@Cerulikat]

I love the small footprint and approachability of this tool! Also, it looks like a Dalek that could make you some waffles or paninis 🧇

[@grndkntrl]

MASTICATE!! MASTICATE!!

[@ericonkenhout3512]

I just got mine from Amazon today. Can’t wait to try it!

[@01Foofan]

Love this thing, have the same one at work and used it all the time until we upgraded to a more expensive pressure former for dental appliances.