DIY - Vacuum Forming Box

© Mark Qvale - June, 2018

	New DIY Tool

Introduction

After doing hundreds of 3D prints for canopies, skids, shields, et., I decided to build my own Vacuum Forming box so I could get the weight dramatically down on some these parts. I did a pile of research and found many different styles and sizes but finally decided to simply take the things I liked in many pictures found on google and design my own. This then is my version.

Tools I Used

Besides the basic hand tools, these power tools helped immensly with keeping things sized and squared perfectly.

1. 10" Chop saw w/60 tooth carbide blade

2. Drill press

3. 10" Table saw

Parts & Pieces

Here is the complete parts list for this project. All dimensions and screw specs for this project are imperial (inches).

Cut List

Hardwood 3/4 x 2-3/4 x 11-1/2

Hardwood 3/4 x 3-1/4 x 24

Hardwood 3/4 x 3-1/4 x 11-1/5

Hardwood 5/8 x 1-1/2 x 2

Hardwood 3/4 x 2-3/4 x 10

Hardwood 3/4 x 2-3/4 x 10-1/8

Plywood 15/64 x 11-1/2 x 24

Plywood 15/64 x 11-1/2 x 14

Pine Laminate 1 x 8 x 10

Alum Flatbar 1/8 x 1 x 3-1/2

Alum Angle 1/16 x 1/2 x 1/2 x 14L

Alum Angle 1/16 x 1/2 x 1/2 x 10-1/2L

Alum Angle 1/16 x 1/2 x 1/2 x 9-1/2L

Alum Angle 1/16 x 1/2 x 1/2 x 11-1/4L

Wood Dowel 1/2D x 10-1/2L

Heat Box 2-3/4 x 10-3/16 x 8-7/16

Hardware

4x #8 x 1-1/4" wood Screws

12x #4 x 3/4" wood screws

4x #8-32 x 2" round head machine screws

5x #8-32 x 1" pan head machine screws

20x #6-32 x 3/8" flat head machine screws

8x #6-32 x 3/8" pan head machine screws

2x #12-24 x 3/4" button head machine screws

9x #8-32 hex nuts

28x #6-32 hex nuts

2x #12 nylok hex nuts

14x #8 flat washers

2x 3/16 x 3/8 x 3/16 nylon spacers

8x small steel flat corner brackets

Heater Components

Walmart Toaster Oven

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Base Build

Initial selected components

VF41 VF42 VF43 VF45 VF46

Frame Build

Initial selected components

VF21 VF22 VF23 VF24 VF25

Heat Box Build

Initial selected components

VF31 VF32 VF33 VF34

First Mold!

Wait for it!

What's that sucking sound?

A very light, near perfect replacement part!

VF51 VF52 VF53

See Also

TBA