Frequently Asked Questions

Q. I don't understand vacuum forming at all. Can you explain it to me?

A. Sure. On our home page we've got a section that's called “What is vacuum forming?”
Please click on the button below to see it.

Q. Do you make vacuum formed parts?

A. No. We make affordable Vacuum Forming tables for your workshop or home so that you can economically create as many different vacuum formed parts as you'd like.

Q. Do your Vacuum Forming tables have a vacuum source?

A. No. Our Vacuum Forming tables are economical because you provide the heat source and the vacuum source, a household vacuum cleaner.

Q. Do your Vacuum Forming tables have a heat source?

A. No. Our Vacuum Forming tables are affordable because you provide the vacuum source and the heat source, a conventional home oven at a temperature of 350°F (175°C).

Alternately, you can use a paint stripper heat gun such as Makita's model #HG1100; or an electric hooded radiant type paint remover such as Warner's model #382.

Q. Can I make chocolate molds using your vacuum forming tables?

A. Yes! Our Vacuum Forming tables can be ordered with Vivak™. Vivak™ is the brand name of a Food & Drug Administration approved “food safe” plastic. It is clear and is safe to use for candy and chocolate mold-making. It's the same material used to make the chocolate molds you buy pre-made.

Q. Wouldn't I be better off buying a vacuum former that has its own heat source and its own vacuum source?

A. Maybe. But they're a lot more expensive than our Vacuum Forming tables which use your vacuum cleaner and your home oven. Here's the deal: if you need to make say, 400 or more patterns in a very short amount of time, or if you need a vacuum forming system that will continuously churn out large amounts of parts every day, you're better off buying a vacuum forming machine which has its own vacuum and heat source. But, if you're a modeler or an artist or if you need a few prototypes or a relatively few amount of parts made very economically, our Vacuum Forming tables, priced at $74 - $167, can't be beat. Click on the button below to see our sizes and prices.

Q. Gee, it seems as if you're only selling a box with holes in it. Couldn't I just make one myself?

A. Of course. There are many "how to" sources that teach you how to make your own Vacuum Forming tables. But wait! If you buy one of our Affordable Vacuum Forming tables you won't have to make your own. You won't have to do the research, buy the materials, assemble it, buy the plastic, test it, make adjustments, test it again, etc. We've done that for you. Buy one of our Affordable Vacuum Forming tables for $74 - $167 and it comes shipped to you, ready to use, right out of the box.

Q. What kind of a vacuum cleaner will I need?

A. Any sort of household canister vacuum cleaner — like our dear Eureka MightyMite. If you have a shop-vac lying around, you can use it, but it's not necessary to use a powerful shop-vac in order to achieve excellent results. We don't recommend that you use a Dust-Buster, upright canisters or electric broom type vacuums.

Q. Is this a kit? I mean, when this gets delivered am I going to have to assemble it?

A. No. You won't have to assemble anything. Our Vacuum Forming tables are delivered to you fully assembled and ready to use right out of the box.

Q. Where do I get the plastic?

A. We sell plastic for your vacuum forming tables and are an excellent source of plastic for your prototyping and hobby needs.

Q. What's a pattern?

A. Patterns are the three dimensional (3D) shapes that you must have (or make) in order to make a plastic part in the shape of that shape.

For example, say you want to Vacuum Form in order to create a chocolate lollypop mold in the shape of a star. You must have (or make) a three dimensional (3D) pattern in the same (star) shape as the finished chocolate lollypop will have. Warmed plastic will form over the shape and create a mold of your shape. Then you will have a plastic mold that you can fill with chocolate. (And add a lollypop stick.)

Patterns can be made out of basswood, plywood, self-hardening or baked clays, acrylic, metals, plaster, rocks and plastics of all kinds.

Q. How complex can the pattern be?

A. Very. However, some shapes can have areas where the vacuum will not adequately draw the plastic to the pattern. When that is the case small holes must be drilled through the pattern so that the vacuum suction can reach the complex portion of the pattern.

Q. How many details does the plastic capture?

A. That depends on the thickness of the plastic. We've gotten the detail out a of human hair placed between the pattern and thin plastic. Wood grain, slight fingernail dents and pieces of adhesive tape on the pattern have be easily captured.

Q. Why vacuum form?

A. There are many uses for vacuum forming, including:

• To build a model of a subject that is not commercially available.
• To create a prototype of an invention or a product.
• To improve a manufactured model. (Aircraft canopies are a good example.)
• To create prototype packaging.
• To create blister packs.
• To make masks.
• To make custom chocolate and candy molds.
• To make custom soap molds
• To make more than one copy or version of your subject.

Q. What is styrene, CAB and Vivak™?

A. They are the plastics we make available to you for vacuum forming.

Styrene is a common plastic and is the plastic most often used in commercially-available models kits. It is easy to cut, sand, paint and vacuum form.We carry white styrene.

Cellulose acetate butyrate (CAB) is a clear plastic, valued for its clarity after being vacuum formed. The ability of CAB to be formed very thinly and remain clear makes it a good choice for simulating open canopies or aircraft.

Vivak™ is a brand name of a Food & Drug Administration approved "food safe" plastic. It is clear and can be used for candy and chocolate mold-making. Vivak™ is mechanically strong and we recommended it as a substitute for vacuum formed subjects that would otherwise use Lexan (polycarbonate).

Read more about vacuum forming plastic  . . . 

Q. Are your Vacuum Forming tables available in custom sizes?

A. Yes. Email us at mailroom@warmplastic.com or call us, toll free (877) 560‑6398 with your size requirements.

Click Here to see an example of a custom sized Vacuum Forming table.

Q. So, who are you people?

A. We are the Kingston Vacuum Works. (We're based in Kingston, NY, USA). We have been making affordable Vacuum Forming tables for 11 years (since 2000). We have satisfied customers in all 50 states and we also boast an international list of customers. (Australia, Malaysia, Japan, Hong Kong, Europe, and more.) Our Vacuum Forming Tables have been reviewed favorably by Modeler’s Resource, CyberModeler, InternetModeler, and others. In July, 2001 our tables were FineScale Modeler’s "Editor’s Pick."

Q. Can I order online?

A. Yes. We appreciate your business. Click on the button below for our online catalog with secure online ordering.

Q. Can I order by phone?

A. Yes. To order by phone call us, toll free, at (877) 560-6398

Q. How can I get an answer to a question that is not listed here?

A. We are anxious to answer your questions.

Email us at mailroom@warmplastic.com or Call us, toll free at   (877) 560-6398 or Click here for additional information on how to contact us.