Ben's Case Construction Notes

eurddrue · **Posted:** Mon Apr 06, 2009 9:03 pm

limpport wrote:

Dilberitio wrote:

What ply engraving plastic should i use from that website.

I think the "ply" means how many layers of colors there are. I'm pretty sure almost all of the plastics on that site are 2 ply.

Question for knowledgeable people: Is engraving plastic ok to use with vacuum forming?

I have sat at my computer for long hours, staring at the screen, refreshing, refreshing, refreshing, to see if there is an answer to this question. I have sat here for two years. TWO YEARS! And alas, there is no response. No response, no PM, no email, nothing. In light of these events, I have only one word:

BUMP

I don't think so. I'm pretty sure that you have to use polystyrene plastic of some sort.

limpport · **Posted:** Sat Apr 11, 2009 9:27 am

eurddrue wrote:

limpport wrote:

Dilberitio wrote:

What ply engraving plastic should i use from that website.

I think the "ply" means how many layers of colors there are. I'm pretty sure almost all of the plastics on that site are 2 ply.

Question for knowledgeable people: Is engraving plastic ok to use with vacuum forming?

I have sat at my computer for long hours, staring at the screen, refreshing, refreshing, refreshing, to see if there is an answer to this question. I have sat here for two years. TWO YEARS! And alas, there is no response. No response, no PM, no email, nothing. In light of these events, I have only one word:

BUMP

I don't think so. I'm pretty sure that you have to use polystyrene plastic of some sort.

Ah, well crap. :evil:

Taiben · **Posted:** Sat Apr 11, 2009 9:41 am

Actually acrylic engraving plastic can be vaccuum formed. I haven't tried it but i came across this article when I was researching.

http://www.designnews.com/article/8115- ... _sheet.php

No idea what it does with the color layers.

Basement_Modder · **Posted:** Sat Jun 06, 2009 9:14 pm

According to rekarp, you can vacuum form wood, too.

Life of Brian · **Posted:** Sun Jun 07, 2009 6:37 pm

Basement_Modder wrote:

According to rekarp, you can vacuum form wood, too.

Eh, not really. Don't mislead people.

mikeyg · **Posted:** Sun Jun 07, 2009 8:24 pm

Basement_Modder wrote:

According to rekarp, you can vacuum form wood, too.

This is what he said.

Rekarp wrote:

Krepticor wrote:

so sad that wood doesn't vac-form

It does to an extent. I actually looked into it when I was testing bent wood. You can't get anything crazy tho.

Meaning, it bends to an extent, but it won't vac-form like plastic....

Life of Brian · **Posted:** Mon Jun 08, 2009 2:17 pm

mikeyg wrote:

Meaning, it bends to an extent, but it won't vac-form like plastic....

Yes, exactly - meaning you can't really vacuum form it for a case.

Timthegeek · **Joined:** Thu Apr 01, 2010 12:54 pm **Posts:** 20

You can vacume for wood just fine as long as: you use very thin layers (veneer) and only curve or form in one direction (cross grain) and use alotta glue or bonding agent.

If you were making a case and wanted a wood finish, build the case using whatever construction, vacume formed acrylic was the initial discussion (I think, it's been a long day)

I would do that or possibly sculpted mdf if you wanted all wood case

then I would get 1/16 or thinner veneer of the wood of your choice
and cut it to the shapes you need (skill required)
glue and roll them on
then vacume it to dry
sand, stain, seal
that should give you the desired effect

samjc3 · **Posted:** Mon Apr 05, 2010 12:39 pm

or you could just build the case out of wood. even with curves and such it wouldn't be too hard.

kcraig530 · **Joined:** Tue Apr 05, 2011 9:02 pm **Posts:** 1

I have been looking for the answer to this question everywhere. What program does Ben use for his CNC CAD modeling. I cant seem to find a program that lets me work in 2d, 3d, and supports tool paths...that is easy to get anyway. Only program like that i know of is EnRoute which seems to be really difficult to come by.

xboxlegend · **Posted:** Tue May 17, 2011 3:24 pm

I dont personally know what Ben uses but you can get any AutoCAD program for free if you signup as a student here. http://students.autodesk.com/?nd=register I got AutoCAD 2012 from here and love it.

AnonMac · **Joined:** Sun Jan 31, 2010 11:36 pm **Posts:** 4

limpport wrote:

Dilberitio wrote:

What ply engraving plastic should i use from that website.

I think the "ply" means how many layers of colors there are. I'm pretty sure almost all of the plastics on that site are 2 ply.

Question for knowledgeable people: Is engraving plastic ok to use with vacuum forming?

I have sat at my computer for long hours, staring at the screen, refreshing, refreshing, refreshing, to see if there is an answer to this question. I have sat here for two years. TWO YEARS! And alas, there is no response. No response, no PM, no email, nothing. In light of these events, I have only one word:

BUMP

What is vacuum forming?

Ben's Case Construction Notes

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