Michael Barclay Posted July 13, 2023 Share Posted July 13, 2023 Can anyone recommend a compact and reasonably priced vacuum forming machine for canopies? I built one which worked a couple of years ago but in truth it was not very powerful and was a bit of a fiddle, so I binned it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul De Tourtoulon Posted July 13, 2023 Share Posted July 13, 2023 I made mine in the 80's, 6kw heating and an old hoover still going strong the inside measures 33cm x 50cm, you will probably find a ready to use at the price of gold dust, what size canopies do you want to mould ?. There are quite a few on youboob,,, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Barclay Posted July 13, 2023 Author Share Posted July 13, 2023 (edited) Hi Paul. My problem is that I live on my boat, so do not have room for old hoovers and heaters etc. That was why I binned the last one. Just looking for something which will do six-inch canopies. Mike. ps, will look on Utube or maybe ebay. Just wondered if anyone could recommend one make. Edited July 13, 2023 by Michael Barclay Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul De Tourtoulon Posted July 13, 2023 Share Posted July 13, 2023 A boat, interesting I also lived a long time in one, maybe like some do, is a sheet of wood with holes, in your oven and don't tell me you don't have a hoover handy?. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin Dance 1 Posted July 13, 2023 Share Posted July 13, 2023 For relatively small canopies likee you describe you can use empty fizzy drink bottles. You need 2-3 litre size. The former and a hot air gun. cut the bottom off the bottle, place former inside and play hot air gun over it. The bottle shrinks onto the former and you have a canopy. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Engine Doctor Posted July 13, 2023 Share Posted July 13, 2023 5 hours ago, Martin Dance 1 said: For relatively small canopies likee you describe you can use empty fizzy drink bottles. You need 2-3 litre size. The former and a hot air gun. cut the bottom off the bottle, place former inside and play hot air gun over it. The bottle shrinks onto the former and you have a canopy. If you can also squeeze a snall scissor jack into plastic bottle ( once top and bottom have been removed ) underneath the plug /former then you will be able to really stretch the plastic around the former while heating it. Saw this at a club demo years ago and it worked very well 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Barclay Posted July 15, 2023 Author Share Posted July 15, 2023 On 13/07/2023 at 13:32, Martin Dance 1 said: For relatively small canopies likee you describe you can use empty fizzy drink bottles. You need 2-3 litre size. The former and a hot air gun. cut the bottom off the bottle, place former inside and play hot air gun over it. The bottle shrinks onto the former and you have a canopy. Thanks Martin. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Barclay Posted July 15, 2023 Author Share Posted July 15, 2023 I did have another idea, which I don't know if anyone has tried. Clear casting resin? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Barclay Posted July 15, 2023 Author Share Posted July 15, 2023 On 13/07/2023 at 13:30, Paul De Tourtoulon said: A boat, interesting I also lived a long time in one, maybe like some do, is a sheet of wood with holes, in your oven and don't tell me you don't have a hoover handy?. Hi Paul. Actually, I don't have a vacuum. I am too short of space, sharing the boat with ten of my builds, mostly bi-planes like the one shown with a five-foot wing span kind of precludes one! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul De Tourtoulon Posted July 15, 2023 Share Posted July 15, 2023 Borrow one, boat people as you know are very friendly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin McIntosh Posted July 15, 2023 Share Posted July 15, 2023 The problem I have always had is creasing at the edges. Tried the oven and a heat gun. I once got through an 8x4 sheet, cut into A3 sizes to make the five mouldings required for my Lanc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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