www.TK560.com Forum Index www.TK560.com
Vacuum Forming, Movie Prop, Sci-fi and GIjOE Forum
 
Log in to check your private messagesLog in to check your private messages

Log inLog in  RegisterRegister


Profile  Search  Memberlist  FAQ  Usergroups
How to control the amount of detail?

 
Post new topic   Reply to topic    www.TK560.com Forum Index -> Vacuum Forming & General Stuff
View previous topic :: View next topic  
Author Message
IMMark
Expert


Joined: 18 Nov 2010
Posts: 189
Location: Columbus, Ohio

PostPosted: Wed May 25, 2011 8:08 am    Post subject: How to control the amount of detail? Reply with quote

Well I finally made my first pull, 1/8" styrene.
I was shocked with by the amount of detail. I thought that I had my mold "ok", but have gone back to redo it. The mold is Bondo, I had sanded it down to 120, and thought that should be fine...nope, it picked up every nook and cranny. I have redone the mold sanded down to 320, and will redo another pull.
My question is; is there a way to control the amount of detail?
Did I let the plastic get too soft?
Did I have too much vacuum, or applied it too fast ?
Thanks for any thoughts!
Mark
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message MSN Messenger
jdougn
Guru


Joined: 18 Mar 2009
Posts: 714
Location: Louisville KY area

PostPosted: Wed May 25, 2011 8:30 am    Post subject: Re: How to control the amount of detail? Reply with quote

IMMark wrote:
Well I finally made my first pull, 1/8" styrene.
I was shocked with by the amount of detail. I thought that I had my mold "ok", but have gone back to redo it. The mold is Bondo, I had sanded it down to 120, and thought that should be fine...nope, it picked up every nook and cranny. I have redone the mold sanded down to 320, and will redo another pull.
My question is; is there a way to control the amount of detail?
Did I let the plastic get too soft?
Did I have too much vacuum, or applied it too fast ?
Thanks for any thoughts!
Mark


Hey Mark, congrats on your first pull!
Does the styrene pick up the sanding marks or is it picking up minor flaws in the surface?
What vacuum source are your using?
If it's a vac pump than you could play with using less vacuum. However, IMX, it seems that the area that needs detail looses it, and the areas that you want less detail keep it. lol
You might also try running a fine skim coat of bondo over the surface then sanding like a body shop would do before they do a high quality paint job.

Even the 3/16" ABS that I run will transfer the outline of a piece of cellophane tape to the surface of the ABS. Seems like a couple pulls are sometimes required just to fine tune the detail areas.

HTH, DougN
_________________
DougN - Just in case you're wondering, I got my "rating" legitimately... by posting aimless drivel, useless advice, and pointless questions.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website
IMMark
Expert


Joined: 18 Nov 2010
Posts: 189
Location: Columbus, Ohio

PostPosted: Wed May 25, 2011 8:37 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Hi DougN
Thanks, yes I am pretty happy to finally have it running.
Right now, I just have my vac pump it is a 15 cfm.
I have a couple of tanks, etc...but thought with 1/8" styrene, the pump alone would be plenty.
Thanks for the info, I had know idea that a strip of tape would show up on 3/16" ABS, wow...that is amazing.
And yes, I figured that detail you want won't show up and detail you don't want will be there every time!!!
I did reskim my mold and sanding it to "repaint" quality, so that should do it.
I will let you know how all turns out....thanks again for the reply.
Mark
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message MSN Messenger
Fredo
Master


Joined: 21 Mar 2007
Posts: 251
Location: Kingdom of Nye Area 51

PostPosted: Wed May 25, 2011 9:25 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Wow... that's a huge pump! Are you sure it's 15 cubic feet per minute? That's a really big pump for a Thomas. A pump that size could probably pull a 2'x4' platen and not use a tank. Is there a chance it could only be a 1.5 cfm pump? A 15 cfm pump would need at least a 1hp motor. If it is 15cfm, that's one hell of a pump for the price.............Fredo
_________________
If someone has a gun and is trying to kill you,
it would be reasonable to shoot back with your own gun...The Dalai Lama..Seattle 2001
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
IMMark
Expert


Joined: 18 Nov 2010
Posts: 189
Location: Columbus, Ohio

PostPosted: Wed May 25, 2011 9:44 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Hi Fredo
I think you have me mixed up with someone else.
Mine is a Busch pump, and yes it is 15 cfm.
My machine is a 32" x 48", although I am only running a 24" x 32" platen for this set up.
I plan on doing larger parts as well as using more difficult plastics, so I plan to add tanks into the mix as well.
I am always open to any suggestions or observations!
Thanks
Mark
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message MSN Messenger
RRK4
Novice


Joined: 17 May 2011
Posts: 58

PostPosted: Wed May 25, 2011 10:13 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I posted a topic about Thomas pumps and just bought one for $38 shipped.

But it is interesting that IMMark is from columbus and so am I. Though I didnt fill that part in on the profile.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
IMMark
Expert


Joined: 18 Nov 2010
Posts: 189
Location: Columbus, Ohio

PostPosted: Wed May 25, 2011 1:51 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I remember seeing the post about a Thomas pump, must have been what Fredo was thinking of?
Nice to see someone else from Ohio!
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message MSN Messenger
Fredo
Master


Joined: 21 Mar 2007
Posts: 251
Location: Kingdom of Nye Area 51

PostPosted: Thu May 26, 2011 8:36 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Embarassed Sorry, my bad..Fredo
_________________
If someone has a gun and is trying to kill you,
it would be reasonable to shoot back with your own gun...The Dalai Lama..Seattle 2001
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
IMMark
Expert


Joined: 18 Nov 2010
Posts: 189
Location: Columbus, Ohio

PostPosted: Thu May 26, 2011 8:41 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

No problem, if that is as bad as it gets...we are doing pretty good!!!
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message MSN Messenger
jegner
Site Admin


Joined: 30 May 2003
Posts: 2144
Location: Texas, USA

PostPosted: Thu May 26, 2011 12:54 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Less vacuum means less detail. Cooler plastic will also yield less detail. Depends on what you want to do, most folks WANT the detail. LOL.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website AIM Address
Display posts from previous:   
Post new topic   Reply to topic    www.TK560.com Forum Index -> Vacuum Forming & General Stuff All times are GMT - 6 Hours
Page 1 of 1

 
Jump to:  
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum

phpBB "skin" by DewChugr


Powered by phpBB © 2001, 2005 phpBB Group