Mattel VAC-U-Form.

[Mike 1017]

I saw one at an antique store for $20.00. Has anyone used it to make parts or slot car bodies.

Thanks

Mike

[Dave Van]

I own one. Two things...make sure it heats up.  Then make sure the vac pump works.

It has a very small 'station and not a lot of pull.  I made a bigger unit that is more useful for about the $20.

[Snake45]

Go back and get it! Now! THIS MINUTE! 

We'll tell you all the cool things you can do with it when you get back. 

GO NOW! DON'T LOSE IT! 

[BigTallDad]

Small parts can be done, but I doubt if it's large enough to make slot car bodies.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aat5m46RE1s

 

[Snake45]

1 hour ago, BigTallDad said:

Small parts can be done, but I doubt if it's large enough to make slot car bodies.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aat5m46RE1s

 

I used to make HO bodies on mine. 

[robertw]

Have had one for years. Use it to do aircraft canopies. Make sure it heats up. I doubt that you could get relacement parts for one.

[Tom Geiger]

I own an original Mattel Vac-U-Form unit.  

As you can see, the largest item you can copy is a convertible boot,  or maybe a hood.

 

Here's my attempt at forming a windshield.  I found I'd have to make 3-4 copies to get one that was usable.

 

This is / was a company that made the perforated sheets used on the Vac-U-Form.  I did get an order of sheets from them years ago.  I don't know if they are still in business.

[SfanGoch]

7 minutes ago, robertw said:

I doubt that you could get relacement parts for one.

Yeah, you can. Right HERE.

Available separately:

Vac-U-Form Oven Cover

Stainless Steel Vacuum Cover

Vacuum Pump Upgrade/Repair Kit

Heavy Duty Rubber Feet

or, as a complete kit for 25 bucks:

Vac-U-Form Upgrade Kit

Get some extra 1/4" PTFE High Temperature Fiberglass/Teflon Tape to wrap around the base of the vacuum platform. This will stop vacuum leakage when the sheet holder closes over it.

[OldNYJim]

I’ve been resisting getting one of these for AGES, and I keep thinking “I don’t really NEED one”...but then I see a thread like this and think of all the cool stuff I could do with it if I had one ??

[SfanGoch]

Take the dive and grab one. The ability to vacuform thinner, clearer window glass makes it worth having. I'm going to remove the pump mechanism and add a PVC elbow joint so I can connect my vacuum cleaner to increase forcing down of the heated sheets over bucks.

[89AKurt]

I have one in the closet, think someone gave it to me last century.  I made my own box, with a larger top, but I've almost never used the whole area.  You could get a wood cigar box, think there are metal plates with tiny holes available, I drilled mine.   I use an Oreck vacuum, and the electric range.

[Tom Geiger]

a kinda funny aside...

Note that Vac-U-Form, along with the other Mattel toys (Thing Maker etc) that came with a hot plate.  It was very primitive and had absolutely no safety features like a level switch, over heating protection etc.  I know many of us burned ourselves on these,  I know I did.  I wonder how many kids started fires or burned down their homes with these?  I remember being like 6 years old and my sister and I playing with the Thing Maker on a bed, an accident waiting to happen!

Back when I started back with models around 1990, I saw a Mattel Vac-U-Form in a second hand store. It was a 1980s model and was sealed up with tape so I bought it for $10.  When I got it home I just had to laugh out loud.  It was completely safety'ed up!   The heating unit was a 60 watt light bulb.  The frame that heated the sheet of plastic had to be inserted into the machine so you couldn't see or touch it.   And of course it didn't really work!     I quickly put it on eBay and resold it!

Edited February 17, 2020 by Tom Geiger

[Lunajammer]

On 2/16/2020 at 5:53 PM, SfanGoch said:

Yeah, you can. Right HERE.

You da man Sir Joseph. Thanks,

[SfanGoch]

4 minutes ago, Lunajammer said:

You da man Sir Joseph. Thanks,

You're welcome, Mike.

Well, they often call me Speedo. But my real name is Mr. Earl

[Mike 1017]

Thank you for the advice

Mike

[Dave Van]

On 2/17/2020 at 6:50 PM, Tom Geiger said:

a kinda funny aside...

Note that Vac-U-Form, along with the other Mattel toys (Thing Maker etc) that came with a hot plate.  It was very primitive and had absolutely no safety features like a level switch, over heating protection etc.  I know many of us burned ourselves on these,  I know I did.  I wonder how many kids started fires or burned down their homes with these?  I remember being like 6 years old and my sister and I playing with the Thing Maker on a bed, an accident waiting to happen!

Back when I started back with models around 1990, I saw a Mattel Vac-U-Form in a second hand store. It was a 1980s model and was sealed up with tape so I bought it for $10.  When I got it home I just had to laugh out loud.  It was completely safety'ed up!   The heating unit was a 60 watt light bulb.  The frame that heated the sheet of plastic had to be inserted into the machine so you couldn't see or touch it.   And of course it didn't really work!     I quickly put it on eBay and resold it!

And I had a Vac-U-Form, Thing maker, toy guns that shot plastic bullets at a high rate and fireworks available to any one, any age year round. I have all my fingers and my eyes......though old age is getting them. And I had 100 times more fun than kids today. Burned fingers and firecrackers exploding in your hand was part of growing up. Not a single parent I knew want to sue Mattel for burned fingers when you tested the Thingmaker with your pinkie!  A Revell B-17 loaded with firecrackers, lit and thrown into the air was fun!  Then you collected all the parts and did an investigation.  I did even worse things as a teen....some of which may have killed me....but still here.  I get protecting your kids....but I have no regrets!!! 

[SfanGoch]

Dave, you nailed it.