Vacuum Forming Clear Plastic

WhatULive4 · Post by **WhatULive4** » Wed May 21, 2008 10:51 pm

Has anyone ever tried this before? I think a clear vacuum formed portable would be sweet if it was done properly.

Where would one be able to find the proper sheets?

General question: I have always wondered how solid a vacuum formed case would be. Are they fairly flexible? Are they at all rugged? Would they need to be reinforced in any way? Do you offset the two halves, or just use a butt joint?

Let me know what has worked well, and what has failed miserably. I'd love to give this a shot for my first portable.

Dr. KillGood · Post by **Dr. KillGood** » Wed May 21, 2008 10:53 pm

I want to see a clear portable with a nice vac case! That would be awesome!

WhatULive4 · Post by **WhatULive4** » Wed May 21, 2008 10:57 pm

I know Life Of Brian was looking into this for one of his portables. I'm sure someone will beat me too it...

Website · Post by **Life of Brian** » Thu May 22, 2008 2:24 pm

Yeah, I'll be getting around to that eventually... I have the plastic and I have the vacuum forming box - I just need to make a good mold.

WhatULive4 · Post by **WhatULive4** » Sun May 25, 2008 5:56 pm

How solid is the final product. Would a case need extra reinforcement?

superdeformed · Post by **superdeformed** » Mon May 26, 2008 12:49 pm

How solid the final product is depends on how you design the case. Something with a few dips and curves will likely be more rigid than just a plain box, but remember that you'll probably have all of the system components screwed in or otherwise attached to case, providing more than enough reinforcement. I still wouldn't rely on it surviving a fall or something like that though.

Turbo Tax 1.0 · Post by **Turbo Tax 1.0** » Mon May 26, 2008 1:31 pm

I think one of the only people who could do it extremely well is marshall

just because he can make a beautiful case without bondo or paint.

definitly think brian can do it, but it would be different moving from bondo where it is easy to fix mistakes, to one mistake and the case is ruined

Website · Post by **Life of Brian** » Mon May 26, 2008 4:56 pm

Maybe if I could get someone like Turbo or marshallh to make me a kickass mold then I would do it sooner...

Turbo Tax 1.0 · Post by **Turbo Tax 1.0** » Mon May 26, 2008 9:29 pm

Life of Brian wrote:Maybe if I could get someone like Turbo or marshallh to make me a kickass mold then I would do it sooner...

my molds are lame compared to marshalls though

whats the hold up? I may be able to help if you just need someone to cut out a wood mold for you

Website · Post by **Life of Brian** » Tue May 27, 2008 9:06 am

It's on my "to do" list - I've got to finish my current projects first. Luckily one of those things will be done quite soon...

Plus, I've never had much luck vacuum forming. I think I need to make a really good vacuum box, because I just can't seem to get it right with my current one. I've never had a really good pull. It's frustrating.

WhatULive4 · Post by **WhatULive4** » Tue May 27, 2008 5:34 pm

Where is the best place to buy from? Have you tried different types of plastic with different results?