www.TK560.com

karisud · Newbie Joined: 02 Jun 2010 Posts: 17 Location: Maine

Inside my box I've used a piece of a pvc pipe...is this shape going to give me trouble when I try to form???

Help!?!?!?!?!
_________________
Art is the translation of heart to hand.

CJanssen · Posted: Tue Jun 08, 2010 6:47 pm Post subject:

hmm, I am a little confused by the question. Isn't this pvc connection inside the box where you will be connecting to your vac source?
_________________
"What, you think your some kind of Jedi?"

karisud · Newbie Joined: 02 Jun 2010 Posts: 17 Location: Maine

The pipe goes through the hole. The small end sticks out the bottom and the piece you see inside stands up several inches into the box. (Translation: I was trying to connect a 2" hose in a 3" hole.) This piece was supposed to allow the hose to connect to the box but I think it's creating an air flow issue.

And how the heck to I make my photos show up?!?!? GRRRR!
_________________
Art is the translation of heart to hand.

CJanssen · Posted: Tue Jun 08, 2010 7:25 pm Post subject:

So pic #3 shows your box without the pegboard platen attached?
_________________
"What, you think your some kind of Jedi?"

CJanssen · Posted: Tue Jun 08, 2010 7:28 pm Post subject:

and for the images.......from Photobucket, click on IMG code (which copies the code) then paste into text box here in the forum.

CJ
_________________
"What, you think your some kind of Jedi?"

karisud · Newbie Joined: 02 Jun 2010 Posts: 17 Location: Maine

Thanks CJ
Yes, that is an image of the inside of the box without the peg board on top. IS that rather large lip going to cause problems with my suction?
_________________
Art is the translation of heart to hand.

CJanssen · Posted: Tue Jun 08, 2010 10:21 pm Post subject:

The lip inside the box wont be an issue, but the large area of the box itself could cause some vacuum loss I would think...well, maybe not vac loss but more time to evacuate the air thus requiring more vac to get the desired result.

I constructed my table from the Thurston James model so I am not too familiar with your design. I am sure some of the others on here can offer better feedback.

CJ

Oh......also, what are your plans for your vac table? just curious.
_________________
"What, you think your some kind of Jedi?"

karisud · Newbie Joined: 02 Jun 2010 Posts: 17 Location: Maine

Do you mean, what plans am I working from?
None. I'm winging it. Very little cash to work with and trying to use what I already have. Embarassed

_________________
Art is the translation of heart to hand.

93RMW · Novice Joined: 26 Sep 2009 Posts: 57 Location: Tulare, CA

[quote="karisud"]Inside my box I've used a piece of a pvc pipe...is this shape going to give me trouble when I try to form???

I would just give it a try. If you can seal up the wood and caulk the corners and seams better. The shape of the pipe really won't matter as much as the depth of the box will. The deeper the box, the more vacuum is spent to empty that space before it can pull air from the plastic around your mold.

Seal it up tight and give it a try. Don't forget to seal up the vacuum hose to the pipe with some tape too. Every bit counts.

Hope that helps. Good luck. Post your first pulls, always exciting to see folks at work on their own machines.

Jross

jdougn · Posted: Wed Jun 09, 2010 7:10 am Post subject:

What type of vacuum source are you using? If you're using a vacuum cleaner motor I think you'll do fine since they move so much air.
_________________
DougN - Just in case you're wondering, I got my "rating" legitimately... by posting aimless drivel, useless advice, and pointless questions.

karisud · Newbie Joined: 02 Jun 2010 Posts: 17 Location: Maine

I'm using a 6hp shopvac.
_________________
Art is the translation of heart to hand.

Fredo · Posted: Fri Jun 11, 2010 9:13 am Post subject:

It appears you platen size is about 12x18. At only 3# per sq. in., unsupported peg board will wind up on the bottom of your box. At only 3#sq.in. you are dealing over 600# total pressure on the platen. Most shop vacs will pull about 5in. hg., I'm not sure what that translates into in pounds per sq. in. but it's more than 3# per sq. in. On the first page of the site you'll find a TJ type build by Jim E. The platen is different, but it shows you how the top of the platen must be supported to deal with pressure a shop vac can generate................Fredo

karisud · Newbie Joined: 02 Jun 2010 Posts: 17 Location: Maine

Thanks Fredo, I'll look at that. The peg board isn't attached yet because I'm still messing with the design of the box itself.
Thanks for pointing me in the right direction.
_________________
Art is the translation of heart to hand.

Fredo · Posted: Fri Jun 11, 2010 11:38 am Post subject:

Drcrash no longer posts on this forum, but if you go through his old posts you'll find some of his, [built on a shoe string] vacuume formers. If you're on a tight budget, check them out............Fredo

karisud · Newbie Joined: 02 Jun 2010 Posts: 17 Location: Maine

I'm posting pics in another thread of my first pulls. And that is going well.

Now I'm stressing over making my molds.
I saw the video about using planers and sanders to make your forms/molds. I don't have that sort of thing.

Here's what I'm doing and my ideas about how to make it happen. Any help or ideas would be extremely excellent!

I'm attempting to make the Jedi Armor from TOR.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/briekalan/3589690548/in/set-72157619174423128/

I'm being sent a flat plate set of Mandalorian armor to work off of as a guide. I also have lots of clay. I am thinking of softening the plates and curving them to get the right shape and then adding layers of the clay to get the depth level of the details.

Is this the best way to go about this? What else should I be looking into?

Thanks!
_________________
Art is the translation of heart to hand.