Vacuum Veener Press

[Bernhard]

Folks,
After cleaning up the workshop, I have finally collected all necessary items to build a vacuum veneer press. It will be loosely based on the 'joewoodworker.com' design. So here is my question: Has anyone build one of his systems? And how was the outcome?

I have a couple of pumps (Edwards 8 and a couple of Welch pumps) that were used as rough pumps on a mass spectrometer. So capacity, durability or vacuum should not be a problem. Planning to use a air
tank as a vacuum reservoir for quicker evacuation.

I like to build a flip top table using a torsion box as a table top to keep things absolutely flat. I think a flip top may be easier to use than a bag when working alone.

Is anyone out there veneering? Any advice, hints, comments will be appreciated.

Bernhard

 

[woodguy1975]

I built mine from a continous duty vacuum motor that I bought off of Surplus Center - Hydraulic Equipment Electric Motors. It pulls 6 cfm so evacuation isn't much of a problem.

I have large 4x8 bag I use with a bottom plattent and then cauls cut specific for the size of the panel. It works well to me, but working with a large bag on your own can be tough. For seal I use a couple of boards and clamps. It works fine. I left my bag evacuated with the pump off for 2 days and the vacuum held.

Good Luck,

John

 

[Bernhard]

I built mine from a continous duty vacuum motor that I bought off of Surplus Center - Hydraulic Equipment Electric Motors. It pulls 6 cfm so evacuation isn't much of a problem.

I have large 4x8 bag I use with a bottom plattent and then cauls cut specific for the size of the panel. It works well to me, but working with a large bag on your own can be tough. For seal I use a couple of boards and clamps. It works fine. I left my bag evacuated with the pump off for 2 days and the vacuum held.

Good Luck,

John

John,

What kind of glue are you using? Is your bag polyurethane or vinyl?

Thanks,
Bernhard

 

[woodguy1975]

I bought my bag off Ebay a long time ago. It's the typical vinyl, but works just fine. I typically use plastic resin glue for veneering, but regular yellow glue works just fine too. I like PRG for it's lack of creep for most glueups. The veneer glues that they sell at veneering supplies is a typical yellow glue with some thickeners to prevent bleed through or PRG, but I've never had a problem with yellow glue bleeding through. Typically I resaw my own veneers though and they are usually 1/16" thick.

Good Luck, Veneering is a fun way to step things up. On my list is a federal game table aimed at improving my veneering and inlay skills.

Good Luck,

John

 

[rhett]

I would love to see how your flip top design works out Bernard. I use a 54" sq poly-vinyl bag. Loading the bag alone can be quite cumbersome.

 

[Bernhard]

Well, I am making some progress. Got a 5 gal portable air tank from HF this morning and will use it as a vacuum reservoir. Everything is plumbed an dconnected. Edwards 8 pump, 5 gal reservoir (air tank), vacuum gauge, pressure controler with relief valve. It should suck the chrome of a trailer hitch.
Tomorrow I plan to start on the torsion box for the flip top table.

Cheers
Bernhard

 

[junquecol]

As soon as bag has been deflated (under vacumm), isolate the tank from system. This way you wont have to vacumm out accumilated air from tank.

 

[Bernhard]

As soon as bag has been deflated (under vacumm), isolate the tank from system. This way you wont have to vacumm out accumilated air from tank.

Don't know if I have to worry about that, I got a vacuum pump designed to run 24/7. But I did incorporate some of the design ideas fro Joewoodworker.com; so the system will actually cycle on a 4in/Hg increase in pressure.

Funny thing, it is much easier to plumb a system for vacuum then for pressure, basically most everything is selfsealing when sucking things in.

Bernhard