DIY Vacuum Forming - Everything you need to know

Years ago I built vacuum formers as a summer job. Today I try to improve on my old designs with Former #51! Once we build the machine we will test it and then tune it for the best possible performance. If you have any questions about building your own vacuum former, I will attempt to answer all of them in this video. If there is anything that wasn’t covered or if you would like to know more, let me know in the comments!

0:00 - Intro and Design Process
3:35 - Build
12:05 - Testing
19:37 - Conclusion

I'm now on Patreon!! The reward levels are very basic for the time being but I promise to bring merch and other perks in the future.

Buy Prebuilt Vacuum Forming Machines (these links help support the channel)

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SHOPPING LIST: (some links help support the channel)
If any of this is wrong or if something is missing from the list let me know and I will correct it.

METAL
½” square steel tubing – 96” (1/16" wall thickness)
Lincane perforated AL sheet 36x36
¾” C-Channel 1/16” thickness (104” length needed)

WOOD
24x48 peg board (unless a smaller sheet is available)
1/2” or 12mm plywood or MDF

FASTENERS
7/8” ¼-20 couple nuts X8
2” ¼-20 bolts and nuts X16
4” ¼-20 eye bolts X2
3/8” or ½” 10-24 bolts X40
1” 10-24 bolts x4
5/8” 10-24 nuts (box of 50?)
5/8" Flat head 10-24 bolts for handle x8
3” L-Brackets X16
½” 4-40 bolts and nuts (for heat spreader) X14
(4) NYLON wheels at least .2ID - .75OD
1/4"? Retention rings X2

OTHER
Heat hood pan:

Heat element:

On/Off Foot Pedal

Small Felt Pads

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Plans:
BUILD AT YOUR OWN RISK! Vacuum formers are dangerous industrial machines. Use caution! By downloading these plans you recognize that The 3D Handyman and 2 Point Media are not liable for any resulting injury, property damage, or death caused by the use of this machine or the building of this machine. Build at your own risk!

[stevenarthur]

That real to 3d model transition was so clean

[dewilew]

I have no idea how I got here, but I’m so impressed.

[danko]

This is a masterclass in CAD and animation. The first 4 minutes are one continuous skill flex. And that monotone delivery... ❤ I'm going to subscribe.

[bobalmendinger]

Shorten the distance you drop the plastic. And move the plastic ½ to 1" away from the heater even if it leaves a gap while heating. Get linear bearings off of Amazon. 33-36 a pair. Use neodymium magnets to hold tray in place that you first were going to use. Change the vacuum box configuration to a "Grease trap" style collector . Then attach 2 shop vacuums at the same time . Mount on a dual switch .

[johnr]

I made a unit similar to yours and had the same issues. I added covers over the unused hole to close them off, and this made it work perfectly.

[TheDHandyman]

Would anyone be interested in a kit version of this machine? Like/comment if yes.

0:00 - Intro and Design Process
3:35 - Build
12:05 - Testing
19:37 - Conclusion

Buy Prebuilt Vacuum Forming Machines! (these links help support the channel)

[iktita]

This kind of videos are the few that makes internet valuable over tiktok and tons of bullshit. Many thanks. You are awesome

[timault]

(2:30) Excellent subtle transition between b-roll and 3D model, there dude. Clearly you have some skill in video production and modeling as well as DIY widgetty.

[devilwearingnada]

As some mentioned before, your machine performs perfectly fine. The problem is not how it is moulded, but what. You just cannot mould full 90 degree angles. Professional moulds are always slightly sloped and rounded on the edges. It also helps greatly if the moulded object has some small holes to ensure airflow also through the object itself.

[tihzho]

14:40 The wood is just a very fine air filter! You need to seal it well with 2 part resin then it will be ok with a shop vac, not the best but good. What you are doing with using a more robust vacuum system is like adding a oil tank to a car that's burning a lot oil - the engine doesn't run out of oil but the problem is not addressed. Fix the burning oil, that is the problem.

[beachcomberbob]

I hadn't considered reducing the volume by the slanted board. Very clever!

[BleughBleugh]

Thanks to the great algorithm for bringing me here! You’ve gained a sub

[katzajamas]

The commercial machine I operated at one of my high school aged jobs back in the late 1960s had a fabric cover. This eliminated spots where the plastic(usually ABS) failed to form. Talk about ventilation...I was making vacuum formed signs and the first step after forming was to roll paint on the raised lettering/logos. Those paint fumes had everyone in the shop high by 30 minutes into the shift. The vacuum box was much larger relative to the surface area than the project you present here. If I recall correctly, the maximum relief of our machine was about 6". The air under the plastic sheet is pulled into the vacuum box which reduces the vacuum. Hence the big box. If I recall correctly we were pulling 32" x 48" sheets.

[ZuNunchaku]

great detailed, I have some tips for you :
1. To minimize the cost for vacuum you can use dual vacum configuration : 1st is using cheap impeller vacuum to move large air, and you can parallel with diaphragm dc vacuum or modified aquarium pump. but I recomended to use 2pcs cheap dc 12v diaphragm vacuum (cost only $5 each). the concept is your impller vacuum job to move large air, and dc diaphragm vacuum to suck little but strong.
2. Since you sell this unit, is good to have some protection like fuse or ground cable on the chassis.

cheers

[andy.puempel]

Very Nice Build and technical walk through. Video is excellent quality. The animation is a great touch. Thanks for Sharing!

[mabapro]

Man...that vacuum former look awsome!!!

[garrettparmenter]

Havent finish the video yet. But that opening animation was tv quality. Very well done!

[ERone]

I really enjoy when fabricators show successes AND failures in hopes of teaching rather than showing off!!! Long live Youtube University!!!

[onjofilms]

You can bend those heating elements into any shape you want. I had a CNC guy who was making lead fishing weights and we made a custom shape heater element for him this way.

[GaryMcKinnonUFO]

Thanks for taking the time to share ):