Yes, You Can Vacuum Form EVA Foam!

I've been vacuum forming EVA foam for several years now, and have been able to do some fun projects with it. You can use a wide range of EVA foam brands and sizes. The formers relatively inexpensive and are easy to build. Here is a quick video on how I do it.
Don't forget to watch "Yes, You Can Vacuum Form EVA Foam! (Part 2 Layering)"
• Yes, You Can Vacuum Fo...
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Plans for 18" x 24" Vacuum Former:
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EVA Foam:
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[@markkalsbeek5883]

I think you'd be a fun art teacher

[@BlueBetaPro]

You could also frame it and freak out your guests. It's like that scene from The Sorcerer's Stone with the book in the library.

[@puppetschtick9694]

It would make an awesome puppet! Maybe even install animatronics to make it function as you mention!

[@_mj_johnson]

Man I wish I had seen this back when I was working with my special effects shop. That would have been phenomenally helpful, I can only imagine all the costumes and props we could have made with that. So glad to have seen this now though, I hope I get to do this in the future! Thank you so much for the tutorial and build plans!

[@dianaisabelgonzalez-zuniga8831]

This process is so mesmerizing! Thank you for the video!

[@gugomajo4161]

I spent over 30 days dearching for a easy way to form a piece of foam for my first cosplay costume, well.. i suck in jobs that require a little manual skills, well this just saved my life

[@jesinu]

I like the clamps on the side of the frame. That's a great idea 💡👍

[@nuchbutter]

You just opened up a whole new industry for me!

[@knoptop]

Wow, such a simple setup! Amazing results!! Thanks for sharing!

[@fabmyride5181]

This is officially going to change my life

[@slavskyart]

Amazing so glad I found your channel! I don't do this stuff exactly but I love learning about anything creative so these are really great and informative

[@baltoman6709]

Great video . Just one suggestion . Prior to filming , have your questions posted on dummy cards and set on a tripod. Your camera person can then flip the cards as you address each gyration or advice tips.. that should eliminate the uncomfortable dead spaces you’re encountering, and in turn produce A much more professional presentation . I liked your video and I learned a lot. Thanks

[@radrich227]

That's really cool! Thanks for making this video. Say... this face/head impression you made, if you turned off the room light, and use a low watt bulb (warm color is best as it casts shadows) and shine it on the impression side of the mask (see 9:54 for example), the face will look like those floating faces at Disneyland's haunted mansion when standing about 6 feet back or further. I've only seen these work with white masks or on white material, but dark looks like it'll work just as well, especially in a pitch black room with just a 2 watt bulb focused on the face, or even a UV or black light (those work better on colored or white material). Imagine using this (the entire sheet uncut) and place it in a [hole or cutout] in the wall and it'll look like someone is looking at you. The face even follows you as you move back and forth.

[@beckyleeevans6855]

You, sir, are a wizard.

[@mrsjennifersquires]

Here here!

[@muerto2107]

This is amazing! Thank you for the video! Going to build this asap. Was thinking about a top and bottom heater with a slot to slide the frame in to avoid having to flip it. Thanks again.

[@justinwhite6884]

That was incredibly satisfying to watch once you placed that on lol. Nicely done

[@edgotbait]

I have seen this done before but never as informative or in-depth as your video Thanks

[@macrumpton]

Good tip to remove the bag off the vacuum, and using 2 vacuums is a great idea.

[@puppetschtick9694]

My JAW DROPPED THROUGH THE FLOOR when you tossed the sheet on the vacuum former! I was expecting it to take some time, but it was immediately formed! That's amazing! I can see so many applications for this process as a soft figure Ventriloquist's puppet builder! I'm gonna SCHTICK this in my SAVE files! This is really exciting! Maybe I'll vacuum for my hard sculpted puppet - "Morthan"! Can you use this with a clay sculpture? My mind is going NUTS with possibilities on this!

[@PropMonkeyStudio]

Yes you can use this with a solid clay sculpture. For quick shapes out of clay make sure you freeze the clay first. You'll get some clay goo on the inside of the foam.

[@puppetschtick9694]

@@PropMonkeyStudio That's a great idea! I would not have thought of freezing the clay before vacuum forming the sculpture! The potential for ventriloquist's figure heads using this material is fantastic! I'm currently limited to what I can do because I'm just in a 1 bdrm apartment, but I hope to by my own home next year & then I can cut loose! Thanks much! kzbin.info/door/oCv1t-kkaFLlWDkDJzZ2AQ facebook.com/HavartiandMorthanPuppetSchtick facebook.com/justin.dancinghawk/

[@EASsirenVids01]

I always thought making a homemade vaccum former was expensive, but this video prooved me wrong! At least that doesn't look expensive! Gonna try and build one soon!

[@coryclark1167]

Oh my Gosh... I am SO grateful for this video and Him as an artist... a HUGE life saver

[@ValTek_Armory]

I love the implications for armor and helmets

[@MAGHRIBE2012]

this way of doing the shaping the Foam is more helpful to me as a cosplayer and i will make sure to do a lot of tries to get the use of it. Thank you sooooooooooooo much mister.

[@texasRoofDoctor]

Awesome work, Brother. The possibilities are endless.

[@karans3307]

I had no idea your channel existed. This popped up in my feed. I'm so glad it did. Liked and subbed immediately. Well done!

[@dahlbergt]

An eye-opener! Thank you for sharing! :-D

[@jasonpbass]

very in'foam'ative! thank you!

[@mrocob83]

Great info! Thanks for the tutorial!

[@TheNextDecade]

color me impressed! I'm gonna have to try this!

[@ShuTheIdiot]

I was googling if you could use it as a buck but honestly this is way better lmao

[@monstermorguetutorials3139]

This so awesome Sir. Thanks for the share and tips.👍👍👍

[@DanielLopez-up6os]

Awesome channel man!

[@cosolote]

amazing video, thank you

[@dovel1000]

So cool! I hadn't even ever considered that.

[@chrome72]

Hey! This helps me solve the heating portion of my DIY former. Would really any 1,500w ceramic heater work as well? I see quite a few offerings on Amazon for only low $20

[@PropMonkeyStudio]

To answer your question: I don't know. The dimensions of the heaters I own are about the same. I wanted a long unit for a more even heat. This doesn't necessarily mean a smaller one won't work.

[@copper_knight]

Omg, think outside the box !! Good idea !

[@vinicioandaluz4750]

Hello and thanks for sharing your knowledge I wondering if you can say to me at what kind of distance you put the eva foam and the heater, so these material can be in the exactly temperature that you saying. Because I try it with my project but the Eva foam burn it so you can help me to resolve this situation. Also I love your work and I sent you regards from Mexico.

[@PropMonkeyStudio]

In the description (under the video) I have a link to the plans for the vacuum former. You can calculate the distance from heater to foam in the plans.

[@vinicioandaluz4750]

Thank you so much I'm going to check that 🤘🏻

[@peacefulscrimp5183]

Great video 👍

[@bernardinomoreira2284]

Very good, congratulation.

[@arne1483]

You earned another sub today sir. Amazing job

[@preymanta6389]

Garden art!

[@briza2022]

Oh wow, brilliant ! Thank youuuuu

[@touim_]

Yep, that indeed WAS the intro

[@WheezyCatLady]

You are a lot of fun! Haha! Really enjoyed this. I wonder if you could advise me on something? I am looking at vacuum forming 2mm acrylic. I need to create the patterns for this project as I'm not copying something existing. What would be the best material to make a pattern out of? Any advice from anyone would be amazing, thank you!

[@PropMonkeyStudio]

Home Made Patterns For Vacuum Forming Plastics 1) Simple pattern: wood (with wood filler to smooth) works great. 2) Complex pattern: you will need to sculpt first with clay, plastic, or any other material. Then make a mold from that and cast in hydrocal (hydrocal is a hard plaster). 3) For a super smooth you could possibly use a hard high temp silicon. This would be harder to make, but if you are doing mass production it might be worth the time.

[@CJBERMUDEZ23]

thank you... just thank you. PIONEER for the little guys

[@an7d7y]

Great video thanks

[@DaedalusProps]

First time I saw this attempted was by Ryan Wells but the foam was a bit thick. This looks like it'll capture more detail (Well, thinner foam helps too, but still) Nice

[@PropMonkeyStudio]

With 2-6mm EVA foam you can get good form fitting shapes, and the thinner the foam the better the detail. For higher detail you can use the same set-up, and you'll have to use HIPS or ABS plastic.

[@DaedalusProps]

@@PropMonkeyStudio Oh, I know. I was just surprised by the detail retention. I'm aware that thinner material=higher detail. Just wasn't expecting this with foam.

[@Frank004]

Wow great work

[@costme5427]

Genius! Thanks very much)

[@NazFXStudios]

This is so clever! Thanks for the video. Does the foam get very thin around the form because of stretching?

[@PropMonkeyStudio]

Yes, the EVA does thin out, and it gets a little denser.

[@puppetschtick9694]

@@PropMonkeyStudio I'm guessing - then, that it holds a shape all the better because of the increased density! Fantastic! I'm going to play with heating EVA foam to make my ventriloquist puppets!

[@HanabiSHCieloCosplay]

This is incredible

[@MarkMichalowski]

Very impressive results! Have a sub! :)

[@mmaaiq9553]

شكرا لك لقد أستفدت كثيرا من عملك المبدع وشرحك الرائع

[@juliocesarmartins3164]

Manaus/Amazônia/Brasil Fantastic Experience 👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏

[@cbear013]

Thank you so much for sharing this!!! If you put a light beging the form do you think it would shine through?

[@PropMonkeyStudio]

If you use white 2mm-4mm EVA foam you should be able to make it light up.

[@samsongerald7165]

Great ! Thank you !

[@Plastic_Spaceman]

Awesome! Thanks for answering a long standing curiosity of mine. Sub earned.

[@juanajuana275]

Good job.... You very very best... Amazing.... Thx bro

[@TUGGER-s6q]

Sir , Can you do a very large part ( the plug mold ) say a Snowmobile hood ?

[@sinethsandeepa3320]

This is So cool, could you please tell us what is the temperature that you preheated that EVA sheet before molding?

[@elijahlucian]

thanks for the great video

[@doomguy2020]

Would this method work for making prop firearms? Maybe a thinner foam to capture more detail?

[@PropMonkeyStudio]

Thermoplastics or resin/foam casting would be much better

[@punchy001]

Have you ever thought of or used a heat gun while its vacuum forming to kind of tuck it in tighter at the base? Will that work?

[@PropMonkeyStudio]

No I haven't. I usually compensate for the curve by making the pattern higher, so I never had the need to use a heat gun.

[@LEO-xo9cz]

@@PropMonkeyStudio What do you mean by 'Making the pattern higher '?

[@PropMonkeyStudio]

​@@LEO-xo9cz The pattern is either made taller than I need it, or I place spacers under the pattern to raise it up. This way I just cut off the curve at the bottom, and I'm left with what I need.

[@LEO-xo9cz]

@@PropMonkeyStudio Ahh I'm with you. Do you think it is safe to cast sensitive equipment such as cameras and lenses?

[@PropMonkeyStudio]

@@LEO-xo9cz If you wrap the lens in fabric first you should be able to vacuum form over it safely.

[@GratuitousSets]

Nice!

[@VeritableSmorgasbord]

Yes! This is really exciting stuff but is the shaping permanent? I want to sell something but I’ll only be able to charge a dollar if it starts unraveling after a year or two (or a week or two).

[@PropMonkeyStudio]

It's permanent unless you heat it up again. It should be fine in a hot car.

[@РусланаСкрипай]

Thank you very much for the video. Is it possible to make a shape from the human body with this material?

[@PropMonkeyStudio]

Yes

[@РусланаСкрипай]

@@PropMonkeyStudio Thank you very much. Interesting. I dream of making my own mannequin. First you need to make a mold, then fill it with foam. I am looking for suitable materials and manufacturing methods

[@thuglincoln7699]

how hard does the vacuum formed section get? Is it like 2x as hard as the unstressed foam?

[@PropMonkeyStudio]

Not much firmer. As far as flexibility it stays about the same, but it does get thinner and denser.

[@Bootscoot_with_Contessa]

Woooow!! Now I need someone to make all that!! Lol. You should sell them. U would make a killing!

[@terminator_t404]

Cooool:) Respect from Ukraine! You do great job.

[@daylightliving8929]

thanks , super good, you think is possible to do it with a heat gun too ?

[@PropMonkeyStudio]

EVA foam cools down too quickly to use a heat gun. You'll need a larger heat source.

[@MarkVo-fx2hh]

idk if it's more practical to use a mold with foam clay or to do this, i wanna make these gear thingies on the sides of a kamen rider ryuki belt but idk if vacuum forming will get all the engraved detailing and grooves.

[@PropMonkeyStudio]

Sorry for the very slow reply. Foam clay will get you better detail.

[@NimbusDirigiblesSL]

Hi. Nice job. Do you think it's possible to do the same with 2mm 40kg/m3 EVA foam? Obviously not so stiff, but I wonder if the sheet won't crack while forming

[@PropMonkeyStudio]

I've have good success with high density foam 2mm. The low density doesn't do too well.

[@NimbusDirigiblesSL]

@@PropMonkeyStudio Thanks. Do you know how much kg/m3 (or imperial) is the 2mm high density you use?

[@PropMonkeyStudio]

@@NimbusDirigiblesSL I do not know :(

[@costume35]

Hello nice video what did you used to get that head so hard

[@kanes69er]

Man I love you been looking at tool chest tool inserts this will be ideal for that

[@OmBotCult]

Cool where can I get the head in the background from?

[@PropMonkeyStudio]

That was a head cast that I did years ago.

[@rutgeroomkes]

Thank you very much for posting this. I used this video for making a own vacuumvormer to test the possibilities. Just finnished all the parts and soon be testing. I coppied your one hole design. What is the reason for u to usae one hole instead of multiple holes?

[@PropMonkeyStudio]

Hi Rutger Oomkes, Only one hole is needed, unless you are forming multiple items at the same time. When I do more than one item I place the matt down that I show in the video. This makes it quicker to build the vacuum forming table, and the vacuum pressure is focused around the pattern. I hope this helps, Dave

[@snehalbatra9717]

Sir how much watt vacuum cleaner you are using?? I used mine it is not working....

[@PropMonkeyStudio]

The easiest thing to do is borrow vacuum cleaners from friends and see which one works the best. Make sure the bag is taken out of the vacuum cleaner to increase suction, you have a tight seal on everything during vacuum forming, and the the EVA foam is nice and rubbery when heated.

[@MightyMikeProps]

That is soooo cool! Thank you for sharing your plans!!! But I would like to know if you also could heat up the foam in your oven instead with your heating unit? I can imagine that the foam could heat up in the oven more consistently ( and to be honest, if the oven would work I could save the money for the heating unit ^^ ). Or will the foam burn/melt away in the oven? ;)

[@PropMonkeyStudio]

I would advise not using your oven, because of toxic fumes. Outside or in a very well ventilated area is the best.

[@n0wii]

Did you have to modify the heater such that the tip-over switch of the heater does not activate when laid down flat the way you have it?

[@PropMonkeyStudio]

The only modification I did was to take the arms off. There isn't a tip-over switch on these heaters.

[@n0wii]

@@PropMonkeyStudio amazing! by any chance do you have a link for that specific heater. were using this method to create a shell for our senior design project. we are constructing a small scaled UAV.

[@PropMonkeyStudio]

@@n0wii The link is under the video

[@valenniacosplay]

Mindblown! Is the heating unit necessary or can you also use a heat gun?

[@PropMonkeyStudio]

Yes, the heating unit very necessary for even heat.

[@iomarbilhalva2201]

very good i will try it

[@backforblood3421]

So should neodymium disc magnets on various parts of a metal frame work for this?

[@PropMonkeyStudio]

Hi Back For Blood, I haven't tried them, but I would think there would be a couple issues with using the magnets. The clamps would be more practical. A simple solution is usually the best.

[@backforblood3421]

@@PropMonkeyStudioOkay. Thank you, very much!!!

[@benlee5039]

OMG, NOW I DONT NEED TO CUT AND GLUE PIECES TO MAKE A HELMET SHAPE NOW!!!

[@chantehayward6225]

I have a question, if you place a 1cm ring under the head would you get coverage? Like a fuller replica. Not just the front of the head.

[@PropMonkeyStudio]

There are two problems with that. First, I don't think the foam will stretch enough to do a full head. Second, if the hole opening is too small you wont be able to get the head cast out of the vacuumed foam without cutting it. Solution: You can vacuum form two halves of the head and glue them together.

[@chantehayward6225]

@@PropMonkeyStudio thank so much. Though I'm going to be using plastic not foam, I'm betting your advice will still work. 😊

[@laksriwajira]

thanks so much

[@gothmaniow]

@prop monkey studios do you have a link where i could purchase a rubber pimple mat ??😁

[@PropMonkeyStudio]

www.amazon.com/gp/product/B06X93XN69/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[@andrewmakestuff]

What is your target temperature for the 4mm? With plastic you look for droop, just wondering when you know the foam is ready. Great video, and thanks for the plans as well!

[@PropMonkeyStudio]

You know when it's ready when the foam feels like a tight marshmallow.

[@sevdev9844]

@@PropMonkeyStudio Thanks, but that's more of an American mean of measure, and some people don't know about that.

[@PropMonkeyStudio]

@@sevdev9844 The foam tightens but is soft like a sponge, when it it ready. I hope that helps :-)

[@ChomperGirl666]

This is so cool wow!!

[@preymanta6389]

Thats cool

[@EmperorChocoPanda]

This is a crazy question but where did you get that bust in the background? With the helmet on it?

[@PropMonkeyStudio]

It's a head cast I did years ago.

[@EmperorChocoPanda]

@@PropMonkeyStudio Is it a cast you are willing to sell?

[@PropMonkeyStudio]

@@EmperorChocoPanda Sorry, it's not for sale.

[@EmperorChocoPanda]

@@PropMonkeyStudio Darn. Thanks for answering me anyways!

[@jymy43]

Do you know how much was lowered the thickness of the foam in the mask after forming?

[@PropMonkeyStudio]

For this head pull I lost about half the thickness of the foam

[@TheTDulin]

Your mold looks like it’s a styrofoam with soemthing painted over it? I have a buncha objects id like to vacuum form that’s are styrofoam. Hacking a hard to figuring out what I could pain over my foam to make it safe to vacuum form

[@PropMonkeyStudio]

Not styrofoam. The head that I used is a hard resin cast with a expanding foam filler. It handles high temperatures well.

[@arthemiseb9209]

Did you make the mannekin head or buy it? What is it made of? Thanks!

[@PropMonkeyStudio]

I did a head cast of a friend.

[@ultralinx200]

@@PropMonkeyStudio of a friend? Damn sir, that's scary af🤣 what the mold made of? Fiberglass?

[@PropMonkeyStudio]

@@ultralinx200 I made a mold from a plaster cast out of silicone. Then made a slush cast with resin and back filled it wit expanding foam. See the casting part of the head cast video I did. kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y2GZq6FonLyIgKM

[@Secretsofsaturdaycartoons]

You sir are a god

[@emiliox210]

Hello! I’m looking for some foam for my punch sensor metal plate i need some foam cushion to avoid injury the arm when punching it. Could you give me any suggestions of what types of foam I should experiment with? I was thinking to use some high density foam as the inner layer and some softer foam as outer layer would really appreciate any suggestions or tips. Thanks.

[@PropMonkeyStudio]

If you can replace the foam on a regular basis, low density against the pressure pad and high density on the outside. The high density will last longer. If you want the pad to last even longer I would use low density against the pressure pad and thin leather over that.

[@olgachanturia7788]

You are a genius :D, indeed :)

[@FemDeku1969]

have you done a tutorial on how to make a vacuform box

[@PropMonkeyStudio]

No, not yet, but I made plans that you can download free. Look in the description.

[@FemDeku1969]

@@PropMonkeyStudio cool thanks

[@gesamtkuntswreck]

very nice. you're so cute it really helps BUT your videwo would benefit A LOT from a script and a lot of cutting out the "uhms" I had a lot more patience with them because you're so likable but by the 4th fifth of it, it was over hahaha thanks for sharing your knowledge

[@jeremyrowley1432]

Hello, what temperature does the EVA need to be? I'm using 6mm.

[@PropMonkeyStudio]

It's hard to tell the exact temperature (Maybe 250˚ F). The vacuum form box can get up to temperatures past 300˚ F. The foam needs to be flipped often, so it wont burn.

[@jeremyrowley1432]

@@PropMonkeyStudio one other question how strong is your vacuum? I have an older 3.25hp Ridged shop vac.

[@xquisid]

Imagine how many Spidey shell mask you can make...

[@airgliderz]

When you block off a vacuum cleaner suction hose the vacuum sounds like it's working harder. It's not, when you block airflow on a centrifugal fan it uses much less energy, draws less amps electrical current because it's throwing/moving less air so it spins faster, changes vacuum cleaners sound to a higher pitch cause it's doing less work and fan/motor is spinning faster. So for example an air conditioning units squirrel cage type centrifugal fan, (indoor section where air filter is) when the air filter is dirty the fan motor uses less electricity, draws less amps. Opposite of a prop fan like an airplane propeller or box fan, block or restrict the airflow on this type fan, power use increases over being in unrestricted free air fan motor uses more power, draws more Amps that can burn out the motor plus often motor uses airflow from the fan to cool it making situation worse.