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My 2 x 3 Vacuum Former
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ANH trooper
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Joined: 20 Oct 2005
Posts: 305
Location: UK

PostPosted: Fri Mar 30, 2012 2:21 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I would think so. I used to use empty propane gas bottles for my vacuum tanks until I got a large compressed air tank. These tanks are designed to hold pressure so I see no reason why the can't hold a vacuum. I have never had any issues and I have been using them daily for years now.
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sulla
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Joined: 30 Oct 2009
Posts: 75
Location: Indianapolis, IN

PostPosted: Thu Apr 12, 2012 6:50 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Well, got the metal parts of the oven box put together. I have the 1x6's for the oven box, but I have to go back to my uncle's metal shop to drill the mounting holes in May. Right now I synched it up there with zip ties for the pix.




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

PostPosted: Fri Apr 13, 2012 3:19 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Looks like it is coming along nicely!!
Not too much traffic here lately, glad to see someone is still around.
Just noticed you are in Indy, I used to live in Fishers about 10 years ago.
Anyway, good luck and keep the updates coming.
Mark
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ANH trooper
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PostPosted: Sat Apr 14, 2012 3:54 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Looking good. Nice work Smile
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jdougn
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Joined: 18 Mar 2009
Posts: 714
Location: Louisville KY area

PostPosted: Sat Apr 14, 2012 7:53 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Yeah, looks like it's coming along. I really like the modular oven design the ProtoForm uses. Can't wait to see the next installment.
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DougN - Just in case you're wondering, I got my "rating" legitimately... by posting aimless drivel, useless advice, and pointless questions.
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sulla
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Joined: 30 Oct 2009
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Location: Indianapolis, IN

PostPosted: Wed Apr 18, 2012 7:07 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Thanks all. Yeah, next installment should be in mid-late may. Welding should be finished then and I'd like to start on the platen and plumbing.
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sulla
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Location: Indianapolis, IN

PostPosted: Wed May 30, 2012 6:12 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I have all the welding done and everything of the metal frame and lifter installed. I need to do a slight repair to the lift frame and install the main oven framing then I will post pix.

For now, I saw this at my local hardware store today and thought about picking a couple of them up to use for my vacuum system. I currently have a hand full of those disposable balloon tanks posted about earlier in this thread (page 3), but I have misgivings about them and would need to change out their fittings. I figure I could take these 5 gal tanks and just plumb them up with stronger piping than that little black hose and run with it.

What say you all? They are $25 each.



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sulla
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Joined: 30 Oct 2009
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PostPosted: Mon Jun 04, 2012 6:38 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Got the steel all painted up. Installing the oven box tonight, pix tomorrow.

* * * * * * * * *

BTW - I did the math, those 5 gal vacuum tanks are way not big enough. I estimate I'll need about 25-35 gal worth of air tank to pull max sheets of 2' x 3' x .125" HIPS plastic.

Makes me wonder if my pump is big enough. I may just scrape by with my pump and a 25 gal tank.

Here's what I figure:

I have a 6CFM pump.
I am building a 2' 3 ' machine.

Tank size in gallons/CFM needed
15 gal / 3-6 CFM
25gal / 6-10CFM
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spektr
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Joined: 07 Jan 2008
Posts: 425

PostPosted: Mon Jun 04, 2012 7:58 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

First, Yes, a 6 CFM pump is MORE than adequate.
Second, I dont understand the math you are using to
decide that you need 15 or 25 galoons of tankage.
I personally like a tank to be 5 times larger than the
evacuated tool area. Or more simply, if your tool is
making parts with less than 1 gallon of hollowed out area
between the STRETCH LINES and the TOOL FACE on OML TOOLS
or a 1 gallon female cavity, you are most certainly good to go.

I pull a significant percentage of my parts with a 5 gallon tank
and a 2 1/2 CFM wet pump.

Scott
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sulla
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Joined: 30 Oct 2009
Posts: 75
Location: Indianapolis, IN

PostPosted: Mon Jun 04, 2012 9:17 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I was using the recommended sizes and components listed in the Vacuum section of the protoform plans.

I was wondering what the big increase in tank and pump size was for? I was able to get pretty good pulls from my very first 3HP shop vac and a small use-the-kitchen-oven-former. Man did it have plenty of design flaws.

http://www.therpf.com/showpost.php?p=758598&postcount=24

And I have a friend who built a small table using two electric oven elements and it worked OK with a 5HP shop vac (sure it had cool corners, but that 5HP shop vac pulled all kinds of sharp edged and tall pulls.)
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sulla
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Location: Indianapolis, IN

PostPosted: Thu Jun 14, 2012 8:53 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Well I got the thing painted and the oven box installed. Then the side boards warped on me and the face boards no longer fit... Sigh, need a better lumber source locally.

I should have it fixed up soon. I am working on the oven and oven wiring next I think.

Here it is acting as a great catch all in my shop currently.


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Mattax
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Joined: 09 Mar 2006
Posts: 160
Location: Virginia

PostPosted: Mon Jul 30, 2012 1:56 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Looks like my table frame the day before yesterday. It acted as a catch all. Now it is moved to a new location and will start building it to finish - again. Good luck. Keep motivated!
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Mattax
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wrkoch
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Joined: 28 Apr 2009
Posts: 7
Location: CO

PostPosted: Mon Sep 10, 2012 3:32 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Wow! Looks fantastic and very well done! Interested in final results.
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sulla
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Joined: 30 Oct 2009
Posts: 75
Location: Indianapolis, IN

PostPosted: Mon Sep 17, 2012 7:16 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I am still working on it. Due to the hot weather this summer I did little to nothing in my garage/shop.
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