Body building polycarboate vacuum forming

[SpeedAssault]

Originally Posted by _paralyzed_

here you go: http://cgi.ebay.com/Automated-Vacuum...item3ca8c9b15b

Maybe a wire skeleton and then clay?

pricey sucker

Originally Posted by _paralyzed_

mold making: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jh7-bel2VsE

" MDF" Meduim Densisty Fiber board . I could screw together some 2x2's and then layer some MDF to get a similar shape then cover in Clay and sculpt the clay down
I see these videos all over but no body answers what material they use

Originally Posted by nativepaul

I think paralysed's link with the solid MDF is about right and probably the cheapest way to do it, I wanted to make a scale Bowler Wildcat body for my buggy, found a RC body maker willing to do short runs and made a wooden body from 3/8" mdf but when I took it to him he said it wasn't sturdy enough, he explained that he pulls over 6psi vacuum which over my roughly 2 square feet of body is the equivalent of parking a small car on top of it and my mould would crumble into fragments instantly, I suggested I could fill the inside with plaster of paris to make it solid and he was still dubious about it being tough enough for lexan although it may be enough for an ABS body which doesn't need as much vacuum, unfortunately making it from solid is a lot more work to add to the work I had already done making the hollow body and I am lazy so the project fell by the wayside and I ended up buying a WRC focus body for it.

Thanks guys, appreciate your input and ideas.

Yea it's not looking good to make a body of Polycarb, price wise that is.
Just aim for clear PVC or clear milar or acetate sheet I found info on an rc airplane site think it was rc-groups http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=621858

I was going to go to Home depot today and pick up a chunk of pine but I may just get some Blue foam or some regular white polysteren packaging foam and carve a rough cut then cover in Pottery clay and get it perfect.

Next big obstacle is making a heating element for a 35" long body

[SpeedAssault]

I found some great info on rcgroups, a guy used PEPG .040 plastic for his airplane canopy and it turned out perfect

So once I get my free foam and some clay I can start shaping the body