So... I've done a few small veneer jobs using a lot of clamps all around the perimeter. Worked well. Never needed/wanted to invest a lot of $$$ in a vacuum system. But now I have a large single piece of veneer, 16x20. I'm hesitant to ask for help, i.e. use of a vacuum bag, because of this virus situation we're in. But I welcome any feedback/comments on this approach. I can still clamp all around the perimeter and then stack a whole bunch of weight, lead shot bags, across the middle. Of course that weight is only on one side of the panel. The underside, the balance veneer side, will be supported on a "tower" of platens to elevate the clamps off the benchtop. Do you think this will work? I'm pretty sure this is the largest veneer project I will ever do so I'm still hesitant to invest in a vacuum system.
Ed
Ed