Molds for vacu-forming

[mickelsen]

Another silly question. (Gee, I have a lot of questions here. I must be really silly, (or really stupid).)

Can you use a soft rubber mold for vacu-forming, or does it have to be a stiff, rigid mold?

Thanks again,

[tsenecal]

stiff. it has to be able to both withstand the force of the vacuum from one side, and the pressure exerted by the plastic sheet being stretched across it on the other. that will generally destroy a hollow or flexible mold.

I will make a master part out of whatever (wood, plastic, resin, metal), make a rubber or plastic mold of that, then fill that second mold with casting stone or plaster of paris, basically duplicating the original part. I will then use the casting stone duplicate in the vacuum former.

http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=774053