Vacuum forming?

[The_Helicopter_Pilot]

Is there anyone here that can do vacuum forming?
I need a small quick job done, need a canopy for something I'm working on.

[Folkwulfe]

Depends on how small and quick you want. Squadron makes clear sheets of formable plastic that you heat over a candle or similar small open heat source. While its warm, you stretch it over your form and viola....instand vacuum formed clear part. Replaced alot of small canopies and windows in scale models that way. Sometimes, the clear ends up with a slightly rough surface, but that is easy to fix with sanding using very fine sand paper and a dip or two in Future Floor Wax (liquid). 24 hours later its clear as a bell!

[The_Helicopter_Pilot]

Well I found a large glider that I've formed a cockpit into, and the form I have is the foam I cut off the glider, it's roughly 9"x3"

[pickelhaube]

Well there is no such thing as a quick vacuformed job.

9 x 3 is rather large.

First you have to make the plug that has got to be perfect. No scratches bumps or divets. Because the plastic will copy all of the imperfections. This can take all day.

Maybe you could try to use a 2 liter coke bottle .

[The_Helicopter_Pilot]

I'm just not talented enuf for all that

[Jesse James]

Like PH said, no such thing as quick vac-forming anything, haha. That's why Stormtrooper armor costs a buttload of cash.

It's a neat, and not terribly difficult technique, but takes something of a set-up. I wired my extra garage 220 for an electric stove just for this purpose... and canning, but really mostly for the vac-forming.