MELTING PLASTIC
AND APPLYING PRESSURE

Vacuumforming is relatively simple fabrication process that heats sheets of plastic to a pliable state, and then pressure forms the plastic over a plug mold. For low-budget scenarios like costuming, vacuumforming can be done in your home. There is no need to go to a professional vacuum-forming shop to get parts made.

The components:

• Sheet Plastic
• Holding Frame
• Heating Oven
• Vacuum Platen
• Plug Mold
• Vacuum Pump

Video demo of basic vacuumforming....

FAQ Answers:

• The Sheet Plastic can be bought online or locally through a plastic distributor.
• The Holding Frame and Vacuum Platen can be made from wood.
• The Heating Oven can be a standard kitchen oven.
• The Plug Molds can be made out of metal, resin, wood, or casting plaster.
• The Vacuum Pump can be a vacuum cleaner or Shop-vac (Wet & Dry Vacuum Cleaner).

Be very careful doing the things described in this section.   You can get seriously injured if you do not take things slow and with precaution.

LET'S START WITH: PREPARING THE PLASTIC