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My 2 x 3 Vacuum Former
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kayaker43
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Joined: 13 Jun 2007
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PostPosted: Thu May 27, 2010 10:55 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Andy, it seems a like a small thing to swap angle sizes on the clamp frame but now you will need to center the sheets in the frame because they will be smaller. You will also need larger spring clamps to reach in farther which is no big deal. In the long run it would have been better to go to Home Depot and get the right size angle. I would suggest making the top clamp frame to the correct size (same as sheet size) so it will be easier to center things up on the oversize bottom frame, then go to the next larger size spring clips.
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sulla
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Joined: 30 Oct 2009
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Location: Indianapolis, IN

PostPosted: Thu May 27, 2010 11:37 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Thanks for the suggestions. I was going to make centering my sheet in the larger frame easier by creating some kind of guide, like putting some non-grip stuff like glue mixed with play sand masked off where the sheet would end, or marking it with a ruler and a marker, that kind of thing.

The smaller frames I will build will be of the correct material, the extra work required to center a plastic sheet doesn't really bother me.

I also have some low tech ideas for clamping the frame I want to try out too, as well as what you have suggested.
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sulla
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PostPosted: Tue Jun 01, 2010 6:51 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Not much, but a little tiny bit of progress. I want to have the steel stud, rivets and wood for top box by this weekend.

Until then I just couldn't leave these sitting in the corner dissembled.


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Talon
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Joined: 19 May 2010
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Location: Spring Hill TN

PostPosted: Wed Jun 02, 2010 9:47 pm    Post subject: vac table Reply with quote

It looks kinda like mine! I went with a 13.5 cfm pump and a thirty gallon tank, I am plumbing right now, so I will let ya know how mine works.
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sulla
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Location: Indianapolis, IN

PostPosted: Fri Jul 30, 2010 1:02 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Well, getting back to my uncle's shop for final welding has been postponed due to scheduling constraints for both of us. We hope to get the welding finished by the end of August.

My dad has scored me some very nice hardwood (Oak I think) from a farm-based lumber joint in Seymour, IN (about 45 minutes south of me) to use for my machine.

On another note, I went to a few hardware stores to get my steel stud to get some work done on the oven, but I found them out of stock at the local Home Depot. I checked a few other local hardware stores only to be told they did not sell them or that they were only available in bulk orders from the contractor's desk.

*sigh*

I guess I need to call some Home Depots a little further from home and maybe call a couple contractor friends...
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kayaker43
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PostPosted: Fri Jul 30, 2010 1:13 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Yeah, the steel studs are a funny thing. Everyone here has them so I thought it would be a universal shortcut for everyone but it appears its sort of regional. When I was in Florida they had them but they were all full of holes or funny shapes. Some places they are hard to find.

A heating and A/C contractor could bend some simple channels up for you, or you can buy the galvanized sheet at Home depot if you have a way to bend yourself. Bending around a 1x4 would give you the correct width. I haven't tried it yet but maybe sandwich a strip between two 1x4 boards and screw together in a few spots. Then use a mallet to bend the flanges gradually? Results would depend on how fussy you are?
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jdougn
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Joined: 18 Mar 2009
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Location: Louisville KY area

PostPosted: Sat Jul 31, 2010 1:59 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

sulla wrote:
....... On another note, I went to a few hardware stores to get my steel stud to get some work done on the oven, but I found them out of stock at the local Home Depot. I checked a few other local hardware stores only to be told they did not sell them or that they were only available in bulk orders from the contractor's desk.

*sigh*

I guess I need to call some Home Depots a little further from home and maybe call a couple contractor friends...


According to Daryl in building supplies at the Eagle Creek Home Depot just outside Indy all the HDs in your area carry steel stud track. Their item number for steel stud track is 651-307. When you call to make sure they have the track in stock just give them that number.

Although this may not be the exact same Manufacturer it will be the same item so here's the Internet link:
http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1vZ1xj7/R-100319042/h_d2/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053


If HD fails, go to drywall suppliers. There's so much commercial construction going on around Indy that someone close to you must have steel studs. Also, remember you are looking for the track (or channel), not the stud. The stud has holes in it for wiring & plumbing. The steel stud track does not have holes in it. They are two different items.

hth, DougN
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sulla
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PostPosted: Sat Aug 28, 2010 7:55 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Thanks all! Slow moving, but I found some finally in stock at one one of my local HD's. I picked up 2 10' lengths of it. I'll be putting it together soon.
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sulla
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PostPosted: Fri Dec 10, 2010 12:26 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Three of these used up helium tanks just about literally fell into my lap today. I was wondering if I could use them to plumb my vacuum former. They were from a one-use party balloon kit from a party store. I wonder if they are too weak or would need some serious re-plumbing (like welding and torch cutting) which I do not have the capacity to do.

I already have a Robinair 15600 6CFM 2-stage vacuum pump.

These three helium tanks each say 14.9 CU FT (.42 CU.M.) on them. I cannot find any other obvious strength ratings printed or stamped on them. I did find this printed on the bottle:

DOT-39 NRC 260/325 M1005
UN 1046 HELIUM, COMPRESSED
CAS# 7440-59-7


The hookup is a threaded nozzle with a plastic twist handle. The box says the manufacturer is Worthington Cylinders.



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ANH trooper
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PostPosted: Fri Dec 10, 2010 4:45 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I think those tanks should be fine to hold vacuum. If they can stand the pressure of the gas inside them I see no reason why they can't handle vacuum pressure too.

See if you can remove the valves and plumb your own in. You want to try and keep the opening of the tanks as big as possible to aid air flow. Take them to fabricators if you can't get the valves out yourself, and get him to mate a simple piece of copper pipe to the opeing to attach your vacuum piep to. I use hydraulic rubber pipe between my tanks and pump and it works perfectly Smile
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sulla
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Location: Indianapolis, IN

PostPosted: Fri Dec 10, 2010 9:12 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Thanks ANH Trooper. I hope they can be used.

Also: I took this picture about a month ago. The frame is just sitting in place, but It looks darned good to me.

Some real life issues prevented me from getting back to my uncle's fab shop to finish all the welding, but we'll get to it come spring. I also just got all the oak cut for the oven box and control panel/lower enclosure. I need to assemble it, rout it up real nice-like, and stain it.


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Fredo
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PostPosted: Sat Dec 18, 2010 9:14 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

The three tanks together will amount to little more than two cubic feet. The 14.9 cubic ft. of compressed helium is only how much gas is in the tank. They look to be about 4+ gal. tanks. Just plumb up a tank and pull as hard a vacuum as you can. The worst that can happen is the tank will become smaller. It won't hurt you one bit, the same can't be said for the tank...........Fredo
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jdougn
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PostPosted: Mon Dec 20, 2010 4:06 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Fredo wrote:
The three tanks together will amount to little more than two cubic feet. The 14.9 cubic ft. of compressed helium is only how much gas is in the tank. They look to be about 4+ gal. tanks. Just plumb up a tank and pull as hard a vacuum as you can. The worst that can happen is the tank will become smaller. It won't hurt you one bit, the same can't be said for the tank...........Fredo


Actually, when a tank implodes parts can come flying off at high velocity. For awhile there was a video link around of a beer keg imploding under vacuum. The entire end flew off with significant force. However, a beer keg is not made for hardly any pressure but I would think the tanks Sula is looking at would hold vacuum. Try to find more specs on the tanks if you can......
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sulla
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PostPosted: Tue Dec 21, 2010 1:15 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

PDF's from the main website:

http://www.balloontime.com/pdf/balloontime-msds-helium.pdf

http://www.balloontime.com/pdf/Instructions-Disposal-English.pdf
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sulla
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PostPosted: Wed Mar 28, 2012 11:07 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Anyone know if my last post with the manufacturer documents show my tanks as being safe enough to use on my vacuum form machine?

(Finally getting back to building this thing.)
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