Sounds cool, here are lots of links about vacuum forming available, this one shows the process I'll be using.
http://warmplastic.com/#vf
They spec a higher temperature/shorter time cycle for heating than most . . . we'll see.
My HowTo shots of this project are focused more upon using simple, basic, inexpensive tools to make the toys for the most part. Sort of like "The Woodwright's Workshop" get'er done just good enough to do the job with the basics of a "My First Toolbox Kit" vs. "Norm Owns the Delta Tool Company & Workshop" model of here's how to do a perfect job using a gazillion dollars worth of tools with $100 and beaucoups time spent just on making the jig to do it that way.
Of course, a few of the tools I've used aren't inexpensive, but you can make due with the simple versions where I've run out of patience with the K*I*S*S & under budget methodology.
I used to enjoy both shows, but my son and I watched the The Woodwright's Workshop and Wood Carving with Dick Butz together every Saturday morning together, so that approach has a lot of sentimental value.
I'll be heating the plexi in the kitchen oven inside the aluminum frame I just half-made. My vacuum frame is built to sit on a 5 Gallon Dough Pail so it's at a comparable work height for me sitting on a $4.99 Oak Stool from Goodwill while watching the acrylic droop.
The bucket also makes for a lot of space underneath for the neck of the CRT . . .
. . . they're usually free, even in food grade if you keep your eyes peeled, but they're only a couple of bucks at a DIY Emporium . . .
. . . if the oak stool makes my @$$ sore, I've got a nice soft "bucket" seat top for another dough pail! [
] ]'>
No $60 Japanese Saws have been used in the project . . . so far . . .
. . . now if I could just find my hole saws! :-/
http://warmplastic.com/#vf
They spec a higher temperature/shorter time cycle for heating than most . . . we'll see.
My HowTo shots of this project are focused more upon using simple, basic, inexpensive tools to make the toys for the most part. Sort of like "The Woodwright's Workshop" get'er done just good enough to do the job with the basics of a "My First Toolbox Kit" vs. "Norm Owns the Delta Tool Company & Workshop" model of here's how to do a perfect job using a gazillion dollars worth of tools with $100 and beaucoups time spent just on making the jig to do it that way.
Of course, a few of the tools I've used aren't inexpensive, but you can make due with the simple versions where I've run out of patience with the K*I*S*S & under budget methodology.
I used to enjoy both shows, but my son and I watched the The Woodwright's Workshop and Wood Carving with Dick Butz together every Saturday morning together, so that approach has a lot of sentimental value.
I'll be heating the plexi in the kitchen oven inside the aluminum frame I just half-made. My vacuum frame is built to sit on a 5 Gallon Dough Pail so it's at a comparable work height for me sitting on a $4.99 Oak Stool from Goodwill while watching the acrylic droop.
The bucket also makes for a lot of space underneath for the neck of the CRT . . .
. . . they're usually free, even in food grade if you keep your eyes peeled, but they're only a couple of bucks at a DIY Emporium . . .
. . . if the oak stool makes my @$$ sore, I've got a nice soft "bucket" seat top for another dough pail! [
] ]'>No $60 Japanese Saws have been used in the project . . . so far . . .
. . . now if I could just find my hole saws! :-/