question about vacuum forming

akjgardner Sat 27 Feb 2016 - 20:11

So I got my vacuum forming box built. does anyone know what kind of plastic I use to form a canopy. Also the best place to buy it. Thanks for the help

Ken Cook Sat 27 Feb 2016 - 21:29

My last two canopies I formed from soda bottle plastic. I also have used clear acetate which was .030". Unfortunately, I lost my source as the hobby shop I used to frequent has since closed. I had very good success using the soda bottle plastic.

andrew Sun 28 Feb 2016 - 1:36

Look into .020 and .030 Vivak or PETG sheet. USPlastic.com is a good starting point, but a search on Vivak or PETG will give lots of hits.

1/2A Nut Sun 28 Feb 2016 - 2:02

I had a friend who owned a vacuum forming company he allowed me time on the machines and would make hard wood plugs for outrigger hydros and mono race boats.

Depending on the thickness of the ABS plastic back in the day you could make robust enough boats to handle 20 to 60 size
engines. These days with light RC gear you could make shapely fuselages for .010 thru .15 size cox engines.

akjgardner Sun 28 Feb 2016 - 5:33

Thanks for the help guys

getback Sun 28 Feb 2016 - 8:25

Well I just spent 10 mins. watching a guy make a vacuum forming machine (homemade style) it was pretty interesting . Don't look to much trouble but I am sure there is a easier way to just do a couple pieces . Like to see yours if anyone will fun me . Eric Babe Bee .049

Marleysky Sun 28 Feb 2016 - 11:40

There was a u tube video of a guy who was using the cheep plastic dinner plates from the dollar store. Cut them into a 10" square, put it in a square frame with clamps, heated it over the gas stove burner then slapped it on to the vac former box, and whamo there's your part!

PeterJGregory Sun 28 Feb 2016 - 17:47

Keep us posted on progress. I was driving around today with the thought of making a vacuum forming system, myself.

Craft stores like Michaels and Hobby Lobby carry sheets of plastic I have used for model airplane windscreens. I live right near a HL so I can stop in each day and use the online 40% off coupon. I just pop it up on my phone as I pull into the parkint lot. Much plastic materials are themoplastics and can suit the job. A few pennies will tell you quickly whether it behaves well under heat.

akjgardner Sat 5 Mar 2016 - 18:03

url=https://servimg.com/view/19124486/89] question about vacuum forming 03010

[/url] waiting on some plastic sheets. still have to rig up something to heat it with. also making a form from my house of balsa p 39 canopy and turtle deck.

PeterJGregory Sat 5 Mar 2016 - 19:05

This is the heat system I think I will go with, system starts about half way thru 10 min video..

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=maH5Ech0wK8

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