anyone know if an upright vac will vac-form plastic?

collinE · Post by **collinE** » Sat Aug 23, 2008 11:54 am

I know some have said this and that about which types of vacuums you can use for forming .08 thick plastic. Can I just use my ordinary vacuum?

Bissel powerforce bagless upright? It's 12 amps of chocolaty goodness!

collinE · Post by **collinE** » Tue Aug 26, 2008 4:48 pm

sad... I have to reply to my own posts.

anyway, I just got some plastic in the mail.

industrial plastics. I got the .08 and .06 sized sheets in the 12x12

very excited to play around with it. I may have to borrow a shop vac if mine doesn't do squat.

Valium · Post by **Valium** » Tue Aug 26, 2008 4:53 pm

You need a strong vacuum for vacuum forming, you're better off with the shop vac.

Post by **bicostp** » Tue Aug 26, 2008 4:58 pm

If it has a way to attach a hose, maybe you could do thin stuff with it. However, it probably doesn't have the suction power you need for a decent result.

You can get a shop vac for under $50 at Wal-Mart, or a decent one for around $100 at Lowes.

hailrazer · Post by **hailrazer** » Tue Aug 26, 2008 6:01 pm

bicostp wrote:
You can get a shop vac for under $50 at Wal-Mart, or a decent one for around $100 at Lowes.

Or $20 or less at ANY yard sale

collinE · Post by **collinE** » Tue Aug 26, 2008 10:14 pm

I see... darn. I was hoping to take the easy (cheap) way out.

I guess I'll drive around to some yard sales this weekend. or post on craigslist.

thanks guys.

dragonball345 · Post by **dragonball345** » Wed Aug 27, 2008 11:36 am

whered you get the plastic

collinE · Post by **collinE** » Wed Aug 27, 2008 12:11 pm

this is where I went.

A lot of portablizers here are saying that they're really good prices. I think Life of Brian said he had more luck with forming the .06" plastic, but others say that you'll need .08" to make a sturdy portable.

I got both, because you need a $20 min order. I say get as much as you can so you don't have to keep paying on shipping.

Website · Post by **Life of Brian** » Wed Aug 27, 2008 1:46 pm

Even if you don't use it for vacuum forming, it's great stuff to make cases with.