NOW STREAMING
Build SIDE-BY-SIDE
Vacuform machines are a staple for creating masks, costume elements, and so much more but they can run over $1,000! Depending on what you have laying around your shop, I’ll show you how to build your own for around $100.
We’ll start by sourcing heating elements and electronics from an old thrift store toaster oven. Vacuform machines consist of two main components – a heat box and vacuum box. The trick to maximizing your pulls is how they’re designed and integrated. I’ll take you step-by-step in real-time as I build my own for my shop.
FREE 7-DAY TRIAL!
PLUS the FIRST 100 MEMBERS get 50% off (normally $24.95/month)!
LIVE Tue, June 7 at 6 PM EST
FREE Lesson
Live Lessons
Check Out What We’re Doing Together
Heating Elements from an Old Toaster Oven
We’re tearing down my thrift store toaster oven to harvest the 4 heating elements inside as well as the electronics so we can build our own custom heat box for […]
Continue reading “Heating Elements from an Old Toaster Oven”
Building the Heat Box
After tearing down our old toaster oven, we now have 4 heating elements and some electronics we could repurpose for our vacuform machine. Using roof flashing, aluminum angle (L-channel) and […]
Continue reading “Building the Heat Box”
Building the Vacuum Box
With the heat box complete, we now have a way to heat our plastic! But in order to shape it for our projects, we’ll need a good vacuum box. We’re […]
Continue reading “Building the Vacuum Box”
Vacuform Machine Final Assembly & Test
The two main components of our homemade vacuform machine are complete and now it’s time to put them together and connect the wiring. Before we can test it, we’ll have […]
Continue reading “Vacuform Machine Final Assembly & Test”What You Get
In This Course
- 1 FREE lesson!
- 3 real-time, create-along style lessons.
- Machine planning and design process.
- Options for aquiring heating elements.
- Building a custom heat box for your elements.
- Integrating a vacuum box to maximize vacuum.
- Course activity feed where you can post your assignments, projects, get personalized feedback and ask questions (including from myself).
- Updates & revisions so you’re always working with the latest materials and best practices.
Course materials sold separately.
Why we’re different
Your maker journey doesn’t end after the last lesson. That’s when you’re just getting started! Accelerate your growth with a supportive and inspiring group of peers as a member of our Artistic Engineering community.
In addition to this course, members have access to:
COURSES
- All live and on-demand courses for a more well-rounded skillset.
- All course activity feeds.
- Updates & revisions to all courses.
WORKSHOP SOCIAL
- LIVE virtual community making sessions where we dedicate time to our projects, share skills, showcase what we’re working on, ask questions and interact with peers.
COMMUNITY
- A community of supportive and engaged makers who are excited to offer encouragement, accountability, and feedback on your projects (including me).
- A mobile app to help you stay connected with our community anywhere, anytime.
50% OFF First 100 Members
1 FREE Lesson + FREE 7-DAY TRIAL!
(normally $24.95/month)
LIVE or ON-DEMAND
Create & Paint in Real-time WIth Me
Whether you prefer to keep up with the live lessons or go through them on demand at your own pace, you benefit from the same create- and paint-along experience and you’re never alone on your creative journey. Along with me, our community is open 24/7 to review assignments, provide feedback and help you troubleshoot projects.
MATERIALS
What you need to get started
Although you can watch and participate, getting hands-on with the process is where the real learning and growth happens.
Old Toaster Oven
Roof Flashing or Aluminum Panels
High Temp Wire & Connectors
3/4″ Plywood
Shop Vac