Vacuforming Box

[John Howling Mouse]

Look what I built today.  

Okay, okay, I realized it's very humble beginnings but, while I wait for my technie-buddy from work to build the "real" machine, I'm going to start with this most basic of vac-boxes.  This little gem is only 3" x 10" x 10" and is suitable for vac-forming up to 0.040" 12" x 12" sheets heated in the good old oven.  For now, it's just plumbed in to use my Shop*Vac whenever needed.  I may add a second-stage vacuum source if needed (likely just a bicycle pump with the cylinder's cup reversed).  And this is how the exchange went tonight:

JHM to Ms. Hitler:  "Hey, whaddya think, hon?"

Ms. Hitler:  "That's nice, Barry.  You've built a ... box."

JHM:  "That's no box, baby.  That's whatever clear canopy I'll ever need.  Or reshaped intakes for a 1:48 PS-2 Arrow.  Or any kind of Pratt & Whitney Canada turbo engines I've ever wanted in any scale.  Or copies of any kit part I've ever wished I had more of."

Can you picture my wife rolling her eyes?    She's actually very well versed in vacforming basics by now but I don't think she yet realizes that this simple version will require my use of the household oven for heating styrene.

And, before you ask, yes----I do have a new fire extinguisher.

[Ollie]

Cool Barry!

Now, as we said earlier, do us a favour and mold a canadian 1/48 Chipmunk canopy and we'll order the Aeroclub kit en masse!

     

[John Howling Mouse]

Cool Barry!

Now, as we said earlier, do us a favour and mold a canadian 1/48 Chipmunk canopy and we'll order the Aeroclub kit en masse!

   

Do you have reference photos, drawings, dimensions?  Or is there any kit that already got it right, even if their injection-molded canopy was too think?   I could make a female mold of that and vac-form nice thin copy.

[Ollie]

I'll check in the books we have at the aiport and will email you my findings.


 

[John Howling Mouse]

I'll check in the books we have at the aiport and will email you my findings.

As our friend, Jean-Marc says:  "Supper-Dupper, Buddy!"

[Ollie]

Who's Jean-Marc?

[John Howling Mouse]

Might not be the most exotic looking piece of machinery in the world but it opens up a whole new world (well, 9 by 9 inches, anyhow) of possibilities!

What should I vacuform first?  I have to test out the plastic, my oven, my vac-source, etc. so the first test items might not be of good and merchantable quality but, they'll be interesting.

I'm considering making some female plaster molds off various P&W engine halves.

Any "simple" ideas from you guys would be appreciated (other than 1:32 TSR-2 etc. that would take a month to shape the patterns!).

[John Howling Mouse]

Oh, yeah:

THANKS, ROB!!! [/size] (The Talented One who welded the excellent frame, which fits like a glove over my wooden vac-box)

[John Howling Mouse]

Came home with a stack of 4' x 8' white styrene and clear PET-G today!

Getting there...big learning curve (and some cursing) coming up...

^_^  

[nev]

big learning curve (and some cursing) coming up...

^_^

so be sure to vacform only when your daughter isn't around!

[John Howling Mouse]

big learning curve (and some cursing) coming up...

^_^

so be sure to vacform only when your daughter isn't around!

SHE's the one I learned all the worst words from!