Vacuum Forming question

[brandonk318]

I am looking for a good heat source other than an oven.(If I mess up I don't want my house smelling like burned plastic) From what I read through the stickies i could use an electric grill but I can't find one anywhere...not at walmart, lowes, home depot... any help would be appreciated.

[collinE]

do you have access to a garage at all? I would get a cheap used oven off craigslist and keept the garage door open while cooking plastic. Also, the electric ovens have those rings that get hot and you could build your own unit with them. or go to a thriftstore...

[brandonk318]

well, yeah i do have access to a garage but i have already check around for an electric oven on craigslist. sadly they want a large amount of money that has been used for over 15 years. No worries i am still looking. thanks for the reply

[marshallh]

Back at my folks' place I did a lot of forming and heated up many sheets in the oven. You just need to sit there and watch the plastic as it droops, once it sags about an inch and a half below your frame, time to take it out.

Styrene doesn't smell bad until you start melting it.

[vskid]

You could cover the bottom of the oven with aluminum foil. Then you can easily clean up if it melts too much. Would probably still stink for a couple days, but it wouldn't happen every time the oven was turned on.