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 Post subject: Vacuum forming
PostPosted: Sun Oct 16, 2016 11:22 am 
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Posts: 1359
Location: Albuquerque NM
You saw the wooden topo models in the infeed/outfeed forum. We decided that it would be fun to mold chocolates in that shape for Christmas presents. I tried the moldable silicone putty, but it was difficult to do and expensive. Vacuum formed molds seemed to be the answer. I made this very simple 6x6 vacuum former -

Image

powered by my shop vac.

The only thin plastic around (it's Sunday and it's 2.5 hours to the nearest plastics supplier) was an empty plastic water jug from the distilled water for the batteries. It's 15mil HDPE. Very easy to melt - I used a heat gun. Here's the result. Exceeded my expectations on the first try.

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 Post subject: Re: Vacuum forming
PostPosted: Sun Oct 16, 2016 4:29 pm 
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Joined: Mon Jun 18, 2007 5:35 pm
Posts: 3620
Location: Hutchinson Ks
GREAT idea!
I never thought about doing anything like that. I had a small Vacu-form when I was a kid. We used to make copies of die-cast metal hot wheels cars for our H. O. slot cars. I have thought about building one for larger things but, never came up with a good idea.
Thanks!

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 Post subject: Re: Vacuum forming
PostPosted: Sun Oct 16, 2016 4:49 pm 
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Location: Albuquerque NM
Rapid Roger wrote:
GREAT idea!
I had a small Vacu-form when I was a kid.
Thanks!


I always wanted one of those, but never got one. I'm SO jealous :-)


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