So I'd like to get into vacuum forming things for the fun of it. Maybe make some custom car parts and other things. I just purchased a JB vacuum pump 6 cfm eliminator and was hoping to find a device I can hook it to and vacuum form with. Or maybe even make my own by fabricating and welding one together. But only issue is I don't have a welder yet so I'm hoping to find one that I can hook my JB pump up to.
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Vacuum forming
- Thread starter alexp1289
- Start date
happy
Well-known member
I taught this method many years ago in the Industrial arts classes back in the 70's Its not to tough you need a good draw and good even heat. Do some research and have fun.
Guster
Well-known member
That pump is good for composites vacuum bagging. If you want to use it for thermoforming which is what I am assuming is your intent you will want a large dump chamber in order to draw down the bulk of the air really quickly. Similar to the tank on a compressor but with a large 1"-2" hose connection using a big ball valve.
There are some great plans online for thermoforming frames. Many made from wood as mentioned. Most are made for using something like a shop vac. Though you can substitute the feed to a dump chamber instead. I have seen commercial ones available in the US though being in NZ I don't tend to keep track of those details. The hardest part is actually the heating element so the plastic sheet can be heated in it's frame and then just dropped down onto the form below. The rest is mostly plumbing.
There are some great plans online for thermoforming frames. Many made from wood as mentioned. Most are made for using something like a shop vac. Though you can substitute the feed to a dump chamber instead. I have seen commercial ones available in the US though being in NZ I don't tend to keep track of those details. The hardest part is actually the heating element so the plastic sheet can be heated in it's frame and then just dropped down onto the form below. The rest is mostly plumbing.
toplessHO
Well-known member
agree with the plywood frames/forms
if you want to get real fancy a 3 axis CNC router for molds is the thing.
wood is kinda nice because its cheap and easy to work
If you need alot of detail you will need metal.
consider doing in a 2 stage process using tank and pump
if you want to get real fancy a 3 axis CNC router for molds is the thing.
wood is kinda nice because its cheap and easy to work
If you need alot of detail you will need metal.
consider doing in a 2 stage process using tank and pump
toplessHO
Well-known member
Ive been thinking about using an old supercharger
as a vacuum pump. Anyone tried it?
as a vacuum pump. Anyone tried it?
vacuum bagging uses that vac that you mention, like the ones they used for fiberglass / carbon fiber things or vacuum forming used on plastic / acrylic sheets?
Seen ones that is build with 2x4 lumber in square frame, smooth plywood on top with holes drilled like peg boards but finer holes about 1/2 of that size, and bottom sheet just a hole cut for a largest shop vac you can find, or 2 shop vacs. You heat the acrylic sheet in the oven on a picture frame to 350 or 300 then transport quickly over to table and vac.... sorry couldn't find that video anymore and the site that used to host it is now a commercial specialfx customs store.
'
or from a used air hocky table top... dunno where you would source that.
Seen ones that is build with 2x4 lumber in square frame, smooth plywood on top with holes drilled like peg boards but finer holes about 1/2 of that size, and bottom sheet just a hole cut for a largest shop vac you can find, or 2 shop vacs. You heat the acrylic sheet in the oven on a picture frame to 350 or 300 then transport quickly over to table and vac.... sorry couldn't find that video anymore and the site that used to host it is now a commercial specialfx customs store.
'
or from a used air hocky table top... dunno where you would source that.
Steve from Socal
Well-known member
Ive been thinking about using an old supercharger
as a vacuum pump. Anyone tried it?
If you look at many industrial vacuum systems they use blowers. A supercharger with strips is overkill.
Steve
paul2112
Well-known member
toplessHO
Well-known member
If you look at many industrial vacuum systems they use blowers. A supercharger with strips is overkill.
Steve
yea but alot of those are cheap now
$50 at the pull and pay.
Wish I could find one from the 3.8 T bird
it already has the hose attachments.