The #1 reason you are my favorite crafty tutorialist is because you don't give a crap about being secretive about how to do things. The resin mold making was so hush-hush for the longest time. I personally never wanted to get into it, but I like to know how things are made even if I don't plan to make something. I've asked many of the resin mold artists how it's done, they either want you to pay for a tutorial or buy a box from them and then you'll know. I love it when people are about community and sharing, because there's still people who will buy your stuff regardless and it's nice that it's not about the $ but about sharing. Thanks for being you, Jackie!
I agree so much! I've been looking for an inexpensive way to make molds and this is about as simple as it gets! I love that it was straight to the point and no BS. Can't wait to make my own!
OMG this is one of the most fascinating tutorials I've ever seen on RU-vid! You're amazing for coming up with it!! There was an industrial sized vacuum former in the workshop at my university and it was so huge and complicated that students were not allowed to use it without supervision. I would never have imagined that something like this was possible to replicate at home, but now I see it works in almost exactly the same way.
Maqaroon Ah =D Thanks Joanna! I've never seen one irl, but I really wanted to give it a try. I'm so happy people are happy to be able to have a chance to make their own =D yay!
If you had smaller holes and closer together, you'd get a better mold and you wouldn't have to worry about a hole showing up in the middle of your piece. Great tut, best low cost vacuum former I've seen.
I have to tell you this came at the right time for me! I was almost ready to dish out almost $190 for earring molds. This is such an easy build. Thank you so much for sharing! I love you to bits!
thanks for this simple tutorial. most vacuum former diy are full of over engineered conglomerations that are more than i need. this is simple and perfect. maybe a little silicone on seams for better air tight suction.
how cool is this video? I think we all have wanted to make our own molds,mainly because we cant find a particular mold,or the cost associated therein.I believe even I can do this,helps to have a retired air force mechanic for a husband,he can fix anything.The plastic is the biggest cost,but im sure there are a few different companines selling this plastic,whereas you can do comparison shopping.Thank you so much Jackie,i wouldn't of ever dreamed of trying to make my own molds until you published this video.. thumbs up..and I will share this with other artist friends who do not you tube,Peace,Lisa
Excellent tutorial, you are brilliant at explaining what could be a baffling process by breaking it down into simple steps and including what/where to buy materials. Thanks for sharing your knowledge, and I love your sense of humour.
There's a dental/medical called denture vacuum mold (sold on eBay, surprisingly enough) machine, that is used to make molds for patients (dentures or trays to bleach teeth, for example) and your DIY is very similar to that machine. I'm very impressed on how well it turned out. As for the plastic, you can call around some dental/denture companies or Google for the plastic templates, those would be ideal for your DIY since they would be the perfect size and width.
Have you tried making your own silicone molds? you can go to the hardware store and get a caulking tube of pure silicon and gun. Squeeze some of that into a bowl of cornstarch and mix it around with a spoon until it is not sticky. you can also add to bit of acrylic paint to give it color if you wanted to it's cool I like doing this it's cheaper to buy it this way then going to Michaels and getting that 2 color mixing stuff.
This is my second favorite! I've searched for videos on how to make one of these and failed to find one as helpful as yours. Once again, you have a large amount of patience for making a video on this! Thanks again! our princess is in another castle"
This was a very interesting and useful tutorial. In the long run will save money on actually purchasing molds. I will definitely be making one . Awesome
A _cabochon_ is a polished gem, without facets. When warping pungent plastic sheets, I have to open the kitchen window and shut the door tightly, as the stench is horrendous. Thanks for the advice NerdECrafter (but are you sure that a *two inch* sag is correct? Or is that only for larger sheets?). I've used a: cheap (clear), polypropylene, food storage box, with holes punched in its lid and a large one cut (low) in its side. For frames, I've crudely scissor-cut a couple from a large biscuit tin lid, which I rest upon two aluminium candle stick holders (laid horizontally), under a medium light grill. My plastic sheeting is whatever can I find from my recycle bin.
There are "reasonably" priced vacuum forming machines on the market for anyone not able to build this. Side note: if you want sharper detail..you'll need to create a "negative" mold for the plastic to pull down into instead of the "positive" set up you currently have.
Wow, this tutorial is amazing. Thank you for doing the research and sharing this with the world! You made it so simple and easy to follow. (Not to mention you saved me a bunch of time and money trying to figure it out on my own!) You definitely earned a subscriber and a thumbs up. Keep doing what you're doing! It's awesome!!!
I'm in love, just for kicks I started reading your comments.....Your like the sweetest girl in the world, I hope the very best for you, thanks for the info
Thank you so so so so much for showing how to do this! CatzPerfect (I think that's how you spell it) Makes amazing molds and I'm pretty sure she uses a method like this, and now I can and ahhh! And I'm also so glad that of all my people I'm subscribed to that it was you who showed me how. You're so good at explaining everything! Thanks again!!!
@NerdECrafter you don't really have to spend that kind of money for one sheet of plastic..... gallon milk jugs or water jugs any that look milky white and has a 2 in the recycle triangle. The plastic will do the same thing get clear as it heats... altho any plastic molds shouldn't be used with anything you have to heat & pour. You should use the silicone & cornstarch mold for anything you have to heat. If you have some questions about this just holler. ..I've been searching for ways to make molds also...I so enjoy your videos....my kitty and watch them alot her fave was the octopus you did! :)
I know LDPE is not for heat application but I thought I read that HDPE was food safe and forms at 285F+ so would be okay to use for some heated applications. I'm wanting to use it for hard candy but not sure if that would work. Pouring temp at approx 200F. SIlicone/starch mold seems great to make a small number but vacuform is appealing in that it would be faster to produce large quantity.
If you dont want your peg board popping up every time you take off the molded plastic you can use wood glue to hold it in place and helps more with the suction. I did this with the large machines I created =D Oh and do be careful with the size of holes you drill because if they are to big they will weaken the plastic and cause it to tear through the large holes.Love your tutorials ^_^
Ah I've had my vacuum box and plastic for about a month now but have yet to try it. I think I will after watching this, although I think I'll still prefer my silicone to making molds :3 Thank you for the quick break down!
Round off the edges of the top of the box...the sharp 90° of the wood edge doesn't give a good seal and "stretches" the plastic potentially tearing the plastic as you mold. Get a shop vac the "pull" will be far better. Numerous Smaller drilled holes closer together will get you tighter molds and better "draw" of the plastic. Last but not least..watch for "undercuts" such as shapes that the plastic can mold around..but get locked or trapped into the plastic. Light dusting of baby powder rubbed onto the piece help to release from the mold.
Very cool!! I always wondered how these worked, I can guess you will probably be very busy experimenting with this new toy! Have fun and I would love to see what else you come up with this machine! :)
How did I miss this video? Thank you, thank you, thank you so much! I've been trying to figure this out for a year now. I make silicon molds but I like my resin to come out shiny.
Can you make the box out of plexiglass and hot glue the sides together? Does the holes get in the way of your plastic piece ? I love your channel by the way!
Wow this is amazing! You are so talented and creative!! Been on your channel for a while and have watched it grow 😊 Keep doing what your doing Jackie! Your amazing!
Nice idea. O would use a very fine, rigid mesh rather than a wooden square with a few holes. But I think, I will go for it. Where to get those plastic sheets?
I have just finished making a slightly modified form of this (had to build the base box too), did you say 3mm thick sheet? Or was it 0.3mm? I am struggling with the holding frame still, and using a heat gun on a thick plastic file cover which is about 0.3mm thick. Would 3mm work too?
Are we secret the same mind? I just made me a vacuum molder! And i also recorded my koi video, and saw the day after you also had one in the same weak ;) haha funny!
So, I have to double check something. You said the plastic is 3mm thick, but it doesn't look that thick and when I measure the thickness of some molds that I have, they are 1mm thick. I ma having such a hard time finding LDPE that will work. I ordered some at 3mm thick and that can't be it...it was way to hard and not flexible at all...can you let me know if maybe yours is 1mm? Thanks so much.
Wow this makes diy vacuum forming machines so much more reasonable to make now! I've watched videos on the subject for years but they always felted so heavy duty and daunting. Awesome! Question: Does the board have to have so many holes in it? The mold at the end of the video had a LOT of holes super near a lot of the pieces wouldn't that cause wasted product and inferior molds? Could we have some spots that are hole-less that we put our charms on as long as their are lots of holes elsewhere?
The holes are around the piece, so they don't interfere at all. You don't have to make the holes as big, but you need enough to create a strong suction for the vacuum. :)
Gah I died when I watched this! I always wondered how people made those type of molds. You seem so cool and down to earth. I usually ask crafterzdrlights delights for help with resin and things like this, but she seems moody all the time. I try to ask nicely and always get a mean or sarcastic answer. Nevertheless she's still an amazing crafter, but I'm glad I found your channel. I hope you don't mind questions hehe. Stay awesome!
wow this is amazing and very clever!! Will have to try it out when I get the chance, me and best friend have been trying to figure out how to make molds for bigger items for cosplay pieces we want to do! Thank you!!
If you use thin ABS plastic...and it doesn't mold around your pieces right..like webbing or deformations. You can remove the pieces and REHEAT the plastic again for a second try. Thermoplastics are re-heatable
Have you tested this out? I'd wonder if you used a mold release if that would help prevent sticking. Melting wouldn't seem like an issue since it looks like the plastic gets cooled kinda quickly.
I saw someone use a large juice bottle (the frosted plastic kind) as the plastic for the vacuum mold! Do you by any chance know any other examples of plastic from our garbage that can be used for this? :D
hey! I have a question... can we use eraser figures to do the molds? I have some that i want to make and some plastic too but I dont know if it would become one forever if i use that hot plastic
Absolutely love it, thank you so much for this tutorial I been doing research on how to make one myself. Will you be selling molds now? If you ever decide to please let me know
Thanx Jackie. It’s me Ruthie Kiley again. You are truly brilliant! I’m new to your videos, guys out there, please excuse my repeat thoughts. What about molding a “solid object” as opposed to a “flat” object? Like a bead? Thanx!
