Armory Sponsor
Posted: 2/12/2010 7:48:52 PM EDT
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So I just started assembling my vacume form table....one thing I want to be able to do...is make coustom....mission specific case inserts.
The molds are easy to make...airsofts are cheap 1:1 replicas....the table will be big enough to make an insert for an 1170 "pelican" If you wanted a case to hold a M4, M9, mags, ammo boxes, and a couple other items...no problem....the next day...switch it up to .308, bipods, spotting scope.....you get the idea. If you haven't seen one...search "vacume forming" on you tube. So what else could this be used for...for fun and/or profit. 
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Are you just doing this for your own use or thinking of branching out into a custom insert market?
I assume you intend to use the Airsoft replicas to make the inserts from??? Would you need each case or just the cavity dimensions? You should use a spell checker! |
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I plan to do it ...to see if I can do it.
I scaled back my plan a bit...had planned on a 4ft x 8ft table......but opted for a smaller one to prove some of my design aspects. The airsofts are scaled perfectly, so if I don't own the gun.....I'll buy an airsoft. I own a metal fab shop....and I am always looking for equipment that can compliment what we do. There is a sign company near me...and the owner had me recieve some plastic panels while he was out...I inspected them for damage. They were 3ft x 4ft...and when he showed to pick them up....I asked him how much they were.....$1200.00...and they weren't elaborate...just raised lettering. I've made sign frames for him...and asked him if a VFT would be a asset...he said yes...but it'd have to be large. I decided that before I built one, I'd have to have another reason for building one....then I opened the case that Barret has with there guns...and presto. I have a few other ideas....but I was wondering if someone out there had some more ideas.  
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So...you can't use the actual AR to make these inserts? All of my AR's are different than a basic setup. Meaning they all have different forearms, optics, stocks and so on. So making a generic insert wouldn't do me any good. I use Storm cases with the foam cut to fit each AR and it's related accessories. New foam sets only cost around $50 or so if I need to change things later or for other guns. Old pic, things have been changed and added since this pic was taken using the same foam set. Not something you could do with a vacuum formed inserts.  |
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You can use the real gun.....the plastic temps don't exceed the "when firing" temps.
I've used a small one before....and w/ 1/8" plastic....the detail draw down if fine for this application. but if I start doing this on a larger scale.....I wouldnt want the hassel of sending firearms across distances. Besides...the molds are somewhat easy to make...and once you have one.....you have it....one mag...2 mag...3 mag...4..... The cost....would be reasonable....could have multipal inserts for the same case.....I figure they'd velcro in on the bottom. If it gets dirty...take it to the carwash 
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