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View Full Version : Vacuum Forming Platen?



Eclecticos
10-20-2007, 02:04 PM
Looking into making a Vacuum former.
I found some pretty easy instructions on building one out of a boiler pan.

You can drill holes every 1" on like a cookie sheet, but I figure if the hose is in the middle of a shallow pan the strength of the suction on the outer holes will; suck :D

So I went looking for pans and found this one, but I'm not sure if the holes are to big or not. What do ya'll think?

http://img145.imageshack.us/img145/7710/broilerpanvg7.jpg
2.78Hx15.75Wx10D"

I figured I could get someone to weld it together cut a circle in the bottom add a little hose adapter and have a decent looking vacuum forming setup.

Eclecticos
10-20-2007, 02:07 PM
O'yea. Heres the Plans (http://www.halloweenfear.com/vacuumformplans.html).

calumc
10-20-2007, 02:30 PM
I'd say the holes in that would be too big, the plastic might 'balloon' on the bottom of the tray and leave it very hard to get out.
We have a proper vacuum former at school and the base on it is very fine mesh.
So maybe if you welded a sheet of mesh on top of the tray?

Blebbz
10-20-2007, 04:20 PM
I posted a guide a while back on building a vacuum former. PM me if you want the link but I agree with calum the holes are too big. The plastic would just get sucked straight through. Just laying a sheet of mash over the top would do though.