13 replies to this topic

[Coley]

You will need a small hot plate, you can get this at wally world or other store.  DSCF0537.JPG   352.49K   179 downloads

Enough 1/16" x 3/4" to build a 12" OD square frame.  DSCF0537.JPG   352.49K   179 downloads
We are going to use a shop vac for our suction.

One 1" x 6" x 4' piece of pine lumber
One 1" x 4" x 4' piece of pine lumber
Four 3/8" x 2" flat angle braces
16, 1/8" x 1/8" pop rivets with back up washers.
One piece of thin scrap wood, plastic or other type of material 10" x 10"
One piece of what is called punch plate for vacuum bed top, 10" x 10"
Some silicone caulk, some tape, (I used alum. tape) 16 dry wall screws 1 1/2" long

OK, lets get started by building a 12" x 12" box for the hot plate to set in.

Using the 1" x 6" lumber cut 2 pieces 12" long and 2 pieces 10 1/2" long.
Cut a small notch in one of the boards for the hot plate cord to come through
this will become the bottom of the box.
This box is screwed together with the dry wall screws. Screw the 12" pieces
to the 10 1/2" pieces.  DSCF0539.JPG   283.46K   86 downloads  DSCF0541.JPG   259.49K   96 downloads  DSCF0547.JPG   193.95K   81 downloads  DSCF0548.JPG   242.14K   99 downloads  DSCF0550.JPG   209.06K   112 downloads

Now lets build the vacuum bed.
Using the 1" x 4" piece of lumber, cut 2 pieces 10" long and 2 pieces 8 1/2" long.
and screw the 10" pieces to the 8 1/2" pieces using the dry wall screws.
Before screwing the last piece on use a hole saw to cut a hole in it that will fit your
shop vac.  DSCF0542.JPG   231.75K   116 downloads  DSCF0554.JPG   216.33K   90 downloads
The bottom of this hole should be about 3/8" from the bottom of the box we are building.  DSCF0554.JPG   216.33K   90 downloads  DSCF0555.JPG   205.56K   113 downloads
We are also going to tape the 10" x 10" piece of whatever you use on the bottom of the box.
We will then caulk the seams inside the box.  DSCF0556.JPG   239.24K   144 downloads  DSCF0557.JPG   228.61K   149 downloads  DSCF0559.JPG   195.03K   177 downloads
Now tape the punch plate on top of the box. We now have our vacuum bed.  DSCF0564.JPG   257.55K   185 downloads  DSCF0561.JPG   279.21K   199 downloads
Now we need to build an angle iron frame with a 10 1/2" inside dia.and a 12" outside dia.
I think the pictures will explain this. The frame will match the 12" box perfect and slip down over the 10" box.  DSCF0566.JPG   267.19K   170 downloads  DSCF0567.JPG   170.74K   189 downloads
Use the 3/8" x 2" flat angle braces on each corner, attach with the pop rivets and washers.  DSCF0572.JPG   281.11K   198 downloads  DSCF0573.JPG   212.33K   238 downloads  DSCF0575.JPG   321.16K   302 downloads
Add a couple handles from a piece of dowel.
This completes the construction process

Now to use this, cut your plastic to form 12" x 12" and attach to the alum frame with the binder clips.  DSCF0578.JPG   244.43K   448 downloads
Place your models on the punch plate, I use baits cut in half, and get a good right and left side.
Set the temp on hot plate about theree fourths of the way, not on high.
I have had not a fire but, i guess you could if it got too hot.
Place the plastic in the frame over the hot plate and start the shop vac.
The plastic will sag at first then tighten up then sag again, it is time to place it over the vacuum bed.  DSCF0582.JPG   258.04K   565 downloads  DSCF0583.JPG   210.48K   582 downloads  DSCF0586.JPG   282.79K   507 downloads  DSCF0587.JPG   260.75K   440 downloads

Attached Files

•  DSCF0565.JPG   258.76K   371 downloads
•  DSCF0570.JPG   274.13K   355 downloads
•  DSCF0576.JPG   252.6K   248 downloads

[Big Bass Man]

Awesome tutorial bud, Thanks for sharing it!!

Patrick

[RayburnGuy]

I like your idea of placing the hot plate inside the vacuum box. When I built mine I just built a plywood box with holes drilled in the top. A separate frame that would hold the plastic sheet on all four sides was built and then it would be put into the oven to warm the plastic. The warmed plastic would then be transferred to the vacuum box. I like your idea a lot better. The use of the metal punch sheet is a great idea as well. Nice job.

Ben

[Charles Mitchell]

This is a work of art. This must have taken a lot of thought. Good step by step tutorial with pictures to match.

Charlie M

[redg8r]

Love it Coley.... Great writeup!

[Vodkaman]

Great result. Thanks for posting. More information stored for future use.

Dave

[Coley]

Thanks for your nice comments.

[Nathan]

Great job Coley!!..Nathan

[*crankn101*]

Thank you sir.

Great write up!

[jwfflipper]

Nice job!!
Question, Why couldn't we just combine all the pieces into one unit and lay the plastic over the baits at the same time as it is getting hot? And when the plastic heats up enough then we turn on the vac and it sucks the plastic over the baits. Just a thought.

I built mine like in this blog
www.vacuumformerplans.blogspot.com

but i am going to build a smaller one like Coleys
jeff

[premo]

Can you use this for packaging?

[Arkie]

Great tutorial...built one yesterday. For the last 2 years I have been saving old packaging plastic and heating with a gun and shaping over my bait halves. This will be a nice change BUT, can you or someone please tell me where you get your plastic sheeting? I am having trouble locating some.

[RayburnGuy]

Arkie, on 22 December 2011 - 11:18 AM, said:

Great tutorial...built one yesterday. For the last 2 years I have been saving old packaging plastic and heating with a gun and shaping over my bait halves. This will be a nice change BUT, can you or someone please tell me where you get your plastic sheeting? I am having trouble locating some.

Just type "plastics suppliers" into your web browser along with the state you live in and you will find what you need. If you still can't find anything holler back and I can give you the name of a company I've used in Dallas.

Ben

[hazmail]

Nice and simple Coley, AND I finally get a look inside your shed .
Pete