How to make lids for hopper barges?

[Rvjimd]

Question for everybody...

I have wanted to make lids (sliding covers/hatches) for my hopper barges. I am wondering about the easier method.

Make a male plug, learn about and build a vacuum table with heat source and pull them out of plastic. My buddy has a setup like this, but thought a single piece hatch might be too big to do successfully. The open area is about 18" x 4".

http://i1291.photobucket.com/albums/b554/Slotcarjim/bff80dcae062c25a3b941cb27738fdb3_zps849e33db.jpg

http://i1291.photobucket.com/albums/b554/Slotcarjim/86659d8a930d0d97c89cc599bacbdca9_zpsf69a0521.jpg

Here is a picture of the ends of a few covers. I don't expect to do a huge amount of detail, just the basic shape with a few of the rib shapes to look similar.

http://i1291.photobucket.com/albums/b554/Slotcarjim/009f02dd4385dfd43df45c5f62c125d8_zpse23fe972.jpg

Method to, similar, do this in the oven without the vacuum source.

Three, make them from a single layer of glass cloth and resin/hardener. Would maybe try a vacuum approach again.

I have never done anything like this before, not intimidated by the thought, just not experienced to know the best approach?

I would need to make about 8 or 10 of them. I want to do at least 6 and make them one piece to keep rain out, so I could leave the barges out in the rain. I would also cut a few of them up so they would look like a sliding lid, left part way open.
They would just slip over the side walls that come up from the inner side walls.

I'm sure there are some opinions on each method, as well as others not listed here.

Thanks

Jim

[doodlebug]

Is rain gutter wide enough to work as a lid? Turn it over and have 2 end caps?
Cheers, Neil.

[doodlebug]

Try this link for vacuum forming, http://automodeler.kitmaker.net/modules.php?op=modload&name=Sections&file=index&req=viewarticle&artid=1243
Cheer's, Neil.

[grumpygrady]

you can cut pvc pipe in half and then soften it up in the oven and drape it over a from and let it cool , I made a suit of armor for my kid like this once

[Rvjimd]

DB,

I'm really leaning toward the plastic method, I have seen my buddy do this once at his place. And, with the shape I plan to carve, it should turn out okay.

Thanks for the link!

Jim

[Izzy]

Don't do it indoors - buy a used oven at a garage sale.
Most plastic rc bodies that are drawn are only .020 - .040 plastic

A vac table is pretty easy to make. Making the mold in wood is much harder.

[Finster]

There is a bunch of info on vacuum forming on Youtube and the web. I like this guys setup, plus I enjoy his videos. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=maH5Ech0wK8

[modelman]

Jim-I have many years experience working with fiberglass molds, male and female molds and parts and I have also done some vacuum parts from plastic so I think they are both easy to do. Depending on how much detail you want in the lids would be the determining factor for me. If you can make a model of what you need then you can make a mold from that and a couple of layers of glass cloth with epoxy resin would make a strong lite-weight almost clear lid. Plastic probably would be quicker since it takes less prep work on the molds for plastic and you can pull it down with a standard vacuum cleaner. But, you don't need to do this in your house so finding an oven large enough may be a challenge. I used a small toaster oven for small parts. Ask questions if you want too. I will help if possible.

[Rvjimd]

Thanks for the help guys! I am looking at the vacuum forming links and videos. Think I need to figure out the heating part of it and try that method. I have an idea where I can get the plastic but haven't called them yet.

Jim