I recently built a small vacuum former for 12x12ish panels, so far it is just the vacuum box and frame as well as a foil lined box for heating. My first attempt with abs was alright but I had trouble with heating it enough so I built the foil lined box.
I decided to try acrylic the second go around with the new heating setup and it was a spectacular failure. I wasn't able to get it anywhere near hot enough and my heat is very uneven (using a couple of heat guns). I was trying to form over an 8" speaker and it turned out looking like an abstract ash tray. I'm loathe to put any of the material in the oven to heat it since it stinks.
Now I'm ordering this thing:
The plan is to build a box that holds the somewhat disassembled heater that is mounted above the vacuum box. I'll use four steel rods to connect the two and then drill holes in the frame that clamps the material so that I can use some bushings and have the frame ride up and down between the heater and the vacuum box.
I'm off to a crappy start but once I get my heat issue solved and build the mechanism that allows the frame to land where it is supposed to on the vacuum box I have high hopes for less failing and more not failing. I'll take some pictures once It becomes more than just a box.
Does anyone else use a homemade vacuum former?