Is 1.5 horsepower enough for vacuum forming?

Hey, does anyone know? I got a 1.5 HP shop vac on sale, and I'm wondering if that's enough HP for vacuum forming plastic. At studiocreations.com they say they know 3 is enough, but has anyone tried less than that? Any help would be great. Thanks.

 

For styrene, an ordinary vacuum cleaner is fine. It is very stretchy and also has a greater tolerance for heat. If you are using ABS, the heat tolerance is less - when you get it hot enough for an ordinary vacuum cleaner to draw it over the mould, it is VERY close to going all orange-peely. If you can get by with styrene parts, I have found the Studio Creations method to be excellent. Have fun and do some experimenting. Good luck!

 

i don't know...I have a 6 HP shop vac for it

 

Thanks Blaxmyth. have u tried vacuuforming on ur own? or r u guessing? does anyone have direct experience with this? i didnt know that about ABS, btw. but i was planning on using styrene anyway

 

You know what? I am vacuumforming a snowtrooper armor tomorrow, and I have a good bit of time to do it. I'll take that extra time and attach a various number of "vacuuming" products to the table. I'll post the results here and on my website. Wheeeeee.

Finally , the answers will be revealed.

-sc

 

I didnt want to ask this in a new topic so here goes.
I want to upgrade my newly made paper mache mandalorian helmet by vacuforming a new one. So you guys talked about styrene and i was wondering if you could post a link to this material. I would like to construct a table but want to know how expensive it will be before i start. That way if it is a little far off my price range than i can start saving. so could someone post a link. also what thickness should i use?

thanks in advance

 

i did a double take at your sig...

begun, this cold war has?

 

Whoops, he he he. I never really stoped to listen to it.
Begun the clone wars have!
I'm gonna fix that right away, good eye.

 

tables are very easy to make.

Do you need the heating elements on the table or do you have an oven?

 

Im going to use my parents oven.

 

Not to do this further, "Away put your weapon, I mean you know harm!".

Mike C.

 

jeez im not very good with quotes am i!?

thanks alot.

But onto the topic, can anyone provide me with the information i requested above?

once again thanks in advance

 

I have a 2 horsepower shopvac that will pull styrene so hard it will pop! i would imagine a 1.5 horsepower vac will work if you can assure the seal between the vac table and the frames are good.I use a weather strip around the table to assure a good seal.

as for "styrene",that is available at most plastic dealers.you will waste alot trying to learn the techniques.go ahead and buy a 4x8ft sheet.i buy .080 thickness.it works well but styrene doesnt have the glossy finish abs does.I paint all my projects so thats fine for my needs.

you can build a vac table for around $10.you will need 2 x 2ft sheets of wood plus a 2x 4 for the frame.you will have 1 pc that is mounted above the other,the 2x4 will go down the 2 sides in between the 2 sheets.then perhaps one more across the back.then youll need to grab a 90degree plastic vac tube to plug the shopvac into.this will mount in the center and a hose will go inbetween the 2 levels of plywood.It will come out so you can plug the shopvac into it.I know thats hard to understand but it works.studio creations site is really good so be sure to check it out often.
hope that helps a little
skip

 

where could i buy a 90 degree plastic vac tube?

ive searched the net and cant find one, where did you get yours from skip?

 

go to lowes or the depot and look at all the extra pcs available for shopvacs.there was a pc that had a large flange on one end and a 90degree bend.
i cut a large hole in the wood and slid the tube down and it rested on the flange part.
i took 2 small pcs of wood and screwed them down over the flange yet leaving the hole open.that held the pipe in place securely.
i then used a little duct tape on the shopvac hose to make it a tight fit.

 

Thanks skip, you've been a great help!
I can't wait to build my table and start vacforming.

 

just a couple more questions:
1.when you heat/vac form the styrene or abs does it emit any fumes?
2.how would i make a rangefinder(stalk and the range finder itself) for a mandalore helmet?

any help would be much appreciated

 

no the plastic doesnt put out any fumes.if you arent watching it and it droops down and touches the burners then it will emit black fog into your house.the plastic turns into little black pcs that fly into the air and get on everything.then its so liquidy it sticks to everything it doesnt burn up.

oh,yes this happened to me on my first attempt!i went to grab my leather gloves and just as i put them on i went to pull out the plastic.it drooped down into a goo ball at that moment spewing black soot into the house.I spent alot of time cleaning the kitchen that weekend.

turn the oven on to 350 at the most!dont go higher.350 will work fine,it could even be lower.be sure you are completely ready to go before sticking the plastic in the oven.once you pull the frame out and the plastic has dipped down a little youve got less than 30 seconds to vac it or it will harden back.so be sure your oven is close to the vac table.dont plan oh heating the plastic and walking out to the garage.you wont make it.alot of people go and buy a used oven at the used appliance store and have it hooked up in the garage.

as far as a new pc for a fett helmet.i have no idea how i would make another one.

possibly create it out of plastic by cutting the plastic into little pcs and creating it like a model.im guessing you want to modify one with lights or already tried and messed it up.
i would also consider buying a another helmet.possibly a damaged one off ebay.and then using that with your helmet.then sell that helmet on ebay.
just a thought.

 

Skip1 has posted misinformed information. Any and all plastics produce toxic fumes when melted. Polystyrene and ABS plastics emit fumes that contain among other things, Carbon Monoxide, Carbon Dioxide and Styrene. Some of these are carcinagins when administered in large doses. (Whats a large dose? I still have not found that one out.)

You need to work in a well ventilated room, I suggest opening all windows in the house when vacuumforming in this low budget style. Motorized Fans in the windows will help ventilate the air. If you are very sensitive to smoke and chemicals in general, I highly recommend you using a respirator with a replaceable air filter.

The Polystyrene Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) I was supplied from the manufacturer states:

Inhalation of vapors from heated product can cause nausea, headache, dizziness as well as irritation of lungs, nose, and throat.
Vapors from heated product can irritate the eyes.

It goes on to state:
This product as supplied is non-hazardous under the OSHA Hazard Communication Standard (29 CFR 1910.1200). However, under processing conditions it may become a health hazard to employees because vapors and/or particulates could be released.


It just pays to be safe.

-sc

 

thanks for that info ,I got no such information when purchasing my plastic!

i know from all my times of doing it ive smelled no fumes nor noticed any.I know you are far more experienced than i and value your input.
i agree,better to be safe!

I would certainly never give out wrongful info knowingly.

thanks again.
skip

 

ah common skip, you know that sniffing the fumes is why we do this crazy hobby right?

8P

-BamaTrooper

 

we have a 6.5 hp vac on our table and it really brings out the detail.

1.5 should work decently as long as you arent doing really thick plastic and highly detailed pieces.

 

well poo!
because of the fumes my parents wont let me do it.
besides my parents shop vac is only 1.25 hp anyway, so i guess it wasnt meant to be.
I guess its off to ebay for my helmet needs.
thanks for all your help guys and gals.