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Thread: ABS sheeet

  1. #1
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    Default ABS sheeet

    Does anyone have experience with ABS sheet I know it can be formed using heat, can it just be slumped over a mould or does it need to to pressed

  2. #2
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    It will sort of slump, but won't form detail without something forcing it. Also, lots of these plastics will try to shrink back to a less stressed form when heated, so you may have a problem with it wrinkling and changing size. Remember those chip packets you used to put in the oven to get minitures? Same sort of thing applies.

    Michael

  3. #3
    BobL is offline Member: Blue and white apron brigade
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    What is it you are trying to achieve?
    Some pics might be useful.

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    I need to make a rifle case I can not find a commercial one that will fit, I can easily make one from timber, however I thought ABS would be much less weight, making a timber form would not be a problem, although heating a sheet large enough to use a die type form would be, If it could be just slumped over a form it would be doable .
    Seems like timber may be the best way to go.

  5. #5
    BobL is offline Member: Blue and white apron brigade
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    Something like this?

    Box2.jpg

    No - not rifles, but chainsaw bars
    When all 5 slots are occupied its bloody heavy.
    Boxopen.jpg

  6. #6
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    No I was going to just make a conventional type, however on thinking about it, I like that design, it has several advantages over the normal rifle case configuration, some food for thought.

  7. #7
    BobL is offline Member: Blue and white apron brigade
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    Along with "bomb" like looking gas forge (which I have sold), SWMBO reckons the department of homeland security would take a keen interest in me walking around in public with such a box.

  8. #8
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    Quote Originally Posted by China View Post
    No I was going to just make a conventional type, however on thinking about it, I like that design, it has several advantages over the normal rifle case configuration, some food for thought.
    Hi Bob,

    You could make a timber mould and vacuum form it ! A lot of formed plastic sheet is done on a vacuum table. You do need to be able to heat the sheet uniformly.
    Best Regards:
    Baron J.

  9. #9
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    Yes I could go the vacuum rout, except I don't have a vacuum pump, and heating the sheet would be problematic, I don't really want to spend a few hundred on a set up that I will use once.

  10. #10
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    Lay it up in carbon fibre or fibreglass
    A box like that is petty simple to make the reverse form for

  11. #11
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    Quote Originally Posted by China View Post
    Yes I could go the vacuum rout, except I don't have a vacuum pump, and heating the sheet would be problematic, I don't really want to spend a few hundred on a set up that I will use once.
    Hi Bob,

    In the days when I repaired things for a living, cylinder vacuum cleaners were common on vacuum tables !
    And electric panel heater elements were used for heating. The ladies used to warm up their fish & chip dinner on the top of the covers !
    Best Regards:
    Baron J.

  12. #12
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    Thanks for all the input, time to go back to the drawing board and decide which way to go, I will try and take some pics of the process, when I decide what the process is.

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