Returning to a thread from November, at last I have some vacform
success using an old propane tank between the lab pump and the
platen/table. My teeny pump evacuates the 44 litres tank to 18 inches
mercury in about two minutes and my plastic of 16 inches by 10 inches
is showing pretty good detail.
One more tweak to follow all the good advice I got so far: I know I
can improve the seal between the frame the plastic is clamped in and
the table. From what Ive read so far totally airtight is not necessary
esp when the tank swooshes the air in so quick. Does anyone use rubber
oven seal? I assume thats heatproof enough. The frame is going to
contact the seal as it comes off the oven. My book and web sources
seem so vague in saying "airtight seal" but not How! Metal to metal or
wood to metal is hardly airproof.............
Evacuated
- posted
17 years ago