Replies

1. 
   GregoryPaolini | Nov 08, 2010 07:34am | #1

   Vacuum pressing

   There are a lot of sources for vacuum supplies out there, but I'd really recomend talking to Darryl Keil at Vacuum Pressin Systems http://www.vacupress.com/  He's not just the owner of a company, but an avid woodworker, and is actually releasing a book on the subject through Taunton.  He has a few great videos on the subject, which I think are pre-req's for anyone doing veneering, let alone vacuum work.   

    Darryl won't over sell you, but will make sure you don't get sold short as well.  Be sure to tell him I sent you!

   Best,

2. 
   bones | Nov 08, 2010 10:31am | #2

   Walked this path a stort while ago

   I to recently had a need to do venner.  I have a project I wanted to snaz up a bit and wanted to add a figured babinga top.  Knowing very little and having no equipment I started doing a lot of reading and searching.   I did have one thing a vacuum pump I purchased at an acution when my old company was going out of buisness.   I can highly reccomend building your own kit.  It's easy and will cost you a fraction of the cost of a comercial system.   Go to http://www.joewoodworker.com.   He has so much information and he sells top quality veneer.  There are two types of pumps a venturi type that creates a vacuum from a air compressor, or one based off an electric pump.   Either will work and he sells parts to make either.   For me after the evaluation, I chose the electric mode because I already had the pump.   I built mine in a weekend and it works great and all the documentation is easy to follow.  He even sells kits with new gast pumps and depending on the number of HG Bar your need  (you will need a decent size pumpt if you want to do curved panels)  The bag will be as expensive as the parts to build the pump but don't scrimp.  Get a decent bag and there are the other supplies i.e.  the right glue a veneer saw tape etc.  He sells a starter kit that I got that had everything including a decnet saw that was sharpened and worked great.  He is also available for questions and helped me a lot.  My panels turned out perfect and I plan on incorporating veneer into more of my work. 

3. 
   DonStephan | Nov 08, 2010 08:57pm | #3

   My suggestion would be that a commercial press from Darryl Keil would be like buying a LN or LV hand plane; building a press from Joe Woodworker would be like buying a Stanley plane.  Many years ago I built a press using plans from Joe Woodworker and while it works okay it's always needed babying and the vacuum switch doesn't always cycle off when vacuum reached.

1. 
   birchwoodguy | Dec 09, 2010 07:54pm | #4

   Vac Advice

   Thanks Guys (Bones, Don, Steve) sorry I didn't reply earlier but was away on a multi week job and had no internet access there.

   Rely appreciate the replies and will try this out.

   Robert.

1. 
   bones | Dec 10, 2010 09:31am | #6

   if you want bent lamination

   Just a note, if you intend to do curved panels, you need some umph in your motor with a bit higher HG capabilities.  

1. 
   birchwoodguy | Dec 11, 2010 09:39pm | #7

   Vac Advice

   Thanks Bones, really apprieciated you took the time to write out the advice.  Will look into the system you noted and as you say, will make sure I get a pump with enough Umph to get the job done.  I am the kind of guy that would rather spend a bit more once than to buy something too small and buy again.

   Thanks again, Robert.

2. 
   bones | Dec 10, 2010 09:06am | #5

   If you had a faulty switch

   Did you adjust the cutin/out pressure on the switch and if if did not work, did you reach out to Joe?  He is a top knotch guy and I know he would have made it right.   I've used mine now for a while and zero issues? If you don't want to use a vacuum switch you can also purchase a continuous duty rated pump.  My ghast (pardon the sp) pump was very queit and rated for continuous usage and I could have just let it run, but decided to put the switch in to help it cut out and save the motor.   I dialed the cut out in at 21hg.   Is it a stanley in a LN world yep and for the money saved, I own a couple more tools.  I love brand name tools (own a lot of festool).