They should be useable with normal plastic sheet (cut to size), either to create items to use directly, or to make moulds for plaster, chocolate, soap, etc. The size of the items you can mould is limited, but it would still be a great item for many jobs, such as moulding new clear canopies for model aircraft or space toys, once you have carved a master from balsa wood. Moulding from an existing item would likely run in to copyright issues, but for personal use only it may be OK.
I would say you should play around with one of these machines, and regard your first attempts at moulding as experiments, until you get the hang of things. Do not expect your first few attempts to turn out perfectly. If you want a home vac-forming machine for small jobs, these things are available. This is available in NZ at $190. Something else to save up for.
Mold Press by We R Memory Keepers - YouTube
Mold Press Vacuform Machine Review - YouTube
How to Vacuum Form Like a Pro | We R Mold Press Machine - YouTube
We R Memory Keepers Mold Press! How to get a great press tutorial:) - YouTube
Mold Press - We R Memory Keepers - Creativation 2020 - YouTube
Yours Sincerely,
Paul Adams from New Zealand
I was fortunate enough to get a Mattel Vac-U-Form machine for Xmas circa 1964, and it was a lotta fun, but it was frustrating in that you had to swing the hot plastic sheet over the mold and pump the vacuum really fast to get the sheet to mold properly. Honestly, I never really got the hang of it. I was hoping to make some custom parts for my HO scale train layout, but never managed to mold parts with crisp edges. For molding little toys, though, it was fun. It was my first “big boy” toy.
ReplyDeleteI was fortunate enough to get a Mattel Vac-U-Form machine for Xmas circa 1964, and it was a lotta fun, but it was frustrating in that you had to swing the hot plastic sheet over the mold and pump the vacuum really fast to get the sheet to mold properly. Honestly, I never really got the hang of it. I was hoping to make some custom parts for my HO scale train layout, but never managed to mold parts with crisp edges. For molding little toys, though, it was fun. It was my first “big boy” toy.
ReplyDeleteAs I mentioned recently, I use a home made rig. It's made of MDF sheeting around an old domestic vacuum cleaner motor, which has the advantage of a retractable cord!
ReplyDeleteIf any one is interested, I could work up a set of how-to plans...
I am not sure my wood-working skills (non-existent) would be up to the task, but yes, please. Thanks.
ReplyDelete