Can we get Mattel to re-introduce the Vac-U-Form machine???

Hello all.

I don't know about the Mattel Vac-U-form, but it seems to me, you would want at least a dual chambered machine to get the best detail. Dental Labs use these all the time to make molds and trays to teeth. They can be found on Ebay for around $300.00

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=31458&item=7505077881&rd=1

Now if you really want to get serious about vacuum forming, this looks like a fun toy though a little pricey.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=45037&item=7505039668&rd=1

For those modelers for whom price is NO object....

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=26258&item=7505315816&rd=1

I just love Ebay. You can find anything there.

There are many books, and Online recources for building your own machine. I have ever seen some great recomendations in these forums. If your budjet is under the $300.00 for a dental quality machine; you will probably be happiest building your own.

My
Yolev

I have the mattel vac u form, and as mentioned before it will only do small parts. I had told build my own so I could do bigger pieces.

Thad

I have a Mattel "Vac-U-form"and it is not as usefull as you
think.You can only mold small parts (2 hinchs X2)an your plastic sheet
must be thin ,because the vacuum pump is not very strong.Mine is in
my parent's cellar for ten years now !!
P Medard

There is a book called Scrath Built put out by Shieffer that has great plans for an easy vaccum form apperatus (sp). also shows how to make diffeent sized frames that will fit on one diy machine. Very good.

Hey 1st great idea to make any company to make machines for the children, we are that type. 2nd, it wil boost the entire hobby. 3rd it would be very nice that any one with the knowledge make drawings or plans for us who do not have a vacuforming machine, so we can built one at home. I think a 10 x 10 cm, would do for tiny parts, any one that needs a bigger one would just enlarge the size properly. Does anyone have any other idea to contribute?

perferated circuit boards is an excellent idea

I bought a box similar to what Hatewall describes, it is all Metal.

Instead of drilling the holes, you can also use perforated metal siding(DIY) store and those nice perforated circuitry boards.

There are also plans online for wooden boxes with a combined heating station. looks like a wooden box with a divider where one side holds a powerful light to heat the sheeting. The plastic sheet is strapped into a wooden frame that can be flipped back and forth between the 2 sides of the box. Easy to make the box airtight simply slap some non-drying putty into all the seams.

[edit]
One word of caution you cannot use the modern cyclon/turbo style vacuum cleaners with those designs.
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You can easily make a vacuum box with items found around the house that will perform much better. You just need a box with a hole in the side that you can plug a vacuum cleaner hose into. Mark a grid out on top of the box and drill a ton of tiny holes in the vacuum surface.

Then, you need to make some frames to hold the plastic while you heat it. I make frames out of strips of aluminum with screws and wingnuts to tighten the frame. You actually need two frames to sandwich the plastic in between.

Heat the plastic in an oven on low heat, or with a heat gun, turn on the vacuum and slap it over the top of the pattern.

Most will have all the materials needed lying around the house.

Pro - I'd go for one, had one when I was a kid, could come in real handy these days.
Archer out.

It would be great if Mattel would come out with a new version of this tool.

I bought one off of eBay last year for around $40.00, and there is a seller in the hobby section that sells the plastic sheets pre-cut with the holding holes punched in them.

18 sheets for around $10.00 both in white and clear.

I would try there if your looking for one.

Cheers
Thom

I don't think there would be a liability issue when you look at the monster mold maker that is out there and they may not have condsidered the Idea because it does not occur to them that they have a patented machine ready to go that is simple and easy to use. The heating element and vacum stage using a vacum can start to get a little pricey and you do wind up using alot of plastic for a small job.

I got a very basic one from a Japanese company. You still need a Vaccum cleaner to provide suction and heat the sheets over a small electric stove or similar.
They also sell sheets in different thicknesses both white and clear.

Similar boxes could be failry easily made from wood and a simple ventilated metal sheet.

It would be welcomed, but with todays litiguous society, I doubt they would run the Product Liability risk. First time little Johnny got a scorch from the hot plastic, they would get sued for a few Million.

Regards, Rick

that would be nice, but I can bet it wouldn't be in that price range.

It seems that anything sold for hobbyists gets marked up about 500% just because a modeler may buy it.

Hmm, yeah if only they would. If a petition goes up, I'll sign. However, I don't think that Matell is really in that market category any more.
I'd say that 50 to 60 is a fairly reasonable price.