Replies

1. 
   TonyCz | Dec 24, 2007 07:03pm | #1

   I have the quality vaccum model which is the ventury type and have had cery good luck with it on the small size bags.

   It came with a 4'x8' bag but I need additional clamps for the bag, it seems to have a leak on the ends and requires a lot of air. This system uses a air compressor to run it.

   I need to order some of the veneer softener for a project this week.

   If you are in the So Cal area I can show it to you.

   
   

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   Edited 12/24/2007 11:04 am ET by TonyCz

1. 
   [email protected] | Dec 24, 2007 07:47pm | #2

   Thanks Tony for the offer as it is cold and chilly here in Chicago. Any particular reason that you went with Quality Vacuum over the others?

1. 
   TonyCz | Dec 24, 2007 10:36pm | #3

   I had seen them at the IWFA show here in Anahiem several years ago and seemed to be a good system. and as it turned out it was. When you look on their web site note that they also have specials on the bags which can be expensive if not purchased on the sale. You also need to buy the size of bag or bags which will be of the most value in useage. I have three bags and the 4'x8' is used the least. I have a bag for door jambs and smaller cabinet tops. You may also want to buy two of the bag air fittings if you buy more than one bag.

    Please note they do have several systems to choose from to meet your needs. you may find the pump is a better way to go for you needs I just like the ventury type because it is more quiet there is no loud pump running.

   FWW has an online artical from FWW 164,167 and 177 which has information on using a vacuume bag and veneering technique   

2. 
   danmart | Dec 25, 2007 02:32am | #4

   http://www.veneersupplies.com/product_info.php?products_id=1683

   drjim

   If you go to this site, Joe woodworker you might save some money. If you are a do it yourselfer you will save money. The vacuum press kits he sells are very easy to put together.

   A word of caution: buy the pre- formed bags. Making your own is a bit of a hit and miss affair.

   If you google the woodwhisperer, he does a video on his experience getting a vacuum press set up going. Its very illuminating. Take a look.

   My friend and I have the venturi system  that uses our medium size compressor. If you have a tight bag, its one big suck and the rest is based on the seal you have really. It works very well. I have not done a ton of veneering to date and most of the stuff has been veneer applied to flat substrates. Not one failure. Its very quick and it doesn't take up much shop space.

   Lessons learned:

   Use the right tape for seams. Don't be cheap.

   Use the best glue for the job. I thought it was more economical to use the old standby- yellow glue. It works but not like the Unibond stuff.

   round the edges on your platens(sandwich pieces) and make sure they extend beyond the edges of your work piece.

   If you have some extra $$, get the best bag you can afford.

   dan

    

1. 
   [email protected] | Dec 25, 2007 07:49am | #5

   Dan, Great advice! Will a bag purchased from any reputable supplier fit Joe Woodworker's system or do you recommend buying Joe's best bag(s)? Thanks very much, Jim MacNaughton

1. 
   danmart | Dec 25, 2007 04:53pm | #6

   Jim

   I am not a bag guru having only seen 3 or 4 different set ups. My first instincts were to look at cost to start up, versatility of the system, and feedback from other users. In just 4 months I have picked up a few ideas and improvements I can extend to others.

   1. I have a good compressor so Joe's venturi system seemed like a fit. It is a good fit and I avoided the cost of a vacuum motor that would be dedicated to press work only. My call.

   2. I considered buying the material for the bag and glueing the bag up myself. Talked to Joe and he hooked me up with a couple guys willing to talk to newcomers before I bought. I really liked that. Everyone said: get the bag set up and ready to go - doing it yourself can result in leaks and frustration and periodic repairs. I also watched Mark Spagnolia's video on making the bag and that helped me make the decision in my case.

   3. I thought I would need a large bag and agonized over the smaller bag vs the big bag. I am glad I got the smaller bag. I don't think I am going to do production work any time soon. A word of caution: veneering opens up a whole new world and the press makes it easy to apply gorgeous wood to otherwise ugly substrates. You can become addicted very quickly. Hey it could be worse??

   Last idea: look around your area for old standup refrigerators in your area. A friend of mine has become a vacuum motor squirrel after he got his press. I think he has 3 motors on the shop floor. This could be a possibility if you don't have a good compressor??

1. 
   [email protected] | Dec 25, 2007 05:10pm | #7

   Dan, thanks for the great ideas. I'd have to get the EVS system in that my only air compressor is one of the smaller ones used for nail guns. Where can one see Mark Spagnolia's video?....jim

1. 
   danmart | Dec 25, 2007 05:57pm | #8

   http://thewoodwhisperer.com/episode-17-a-pressing-matter/

    

   There are some other ideas on vacuum pressing on Knots. Go back to 36917.1 and there might be some additional info you can use.

   I slaughtered Marc's last name as you'll see on the pod cast.

   dan

2. 
   Jamie_Buxton | Dec 26, 2007 12:26am | #9

   I've had just the opposite experience with vacuum bags.   I make my own.   I get 54"-wide  20 mil vinyl at a fabric store for about $6 a running yard, and glue it up into a bag with vinyl cement.   It takes perhaps twenty minutes to make one.   That's way less expensive than manufacturers are asking.   I generally keep two around.  The bigger is 54" wide and 9+ feet long, so it will swallow even a whole sheet of plywood.  The smaller is 27" wide and six feet long.   I use them a fair amount.  They generally last 2-3 years.   The end-of-life indication is that the vacuum pump comes on more often.   I think the issue is not leaks punctured through the bag, but rather that dust and crud building up on the mouth, and it doesn't seal well any more. 

1. 
   danmart | Dec 26, 2007 04:40am | #11

   Jamie

   If I go for a bigger bag, I would like to try making my own if the 20mil stuff was 6/yd. If you could be specific, what vinyl glue did you use?? What parts did you get to make the hose connections? Did you use Joe woodworker's stuff?

   dan

1. 
   Jamie_Buxton | Dec 26, 2007 09:44am | #12

   The vinyl glue I use comes from a local store named TAP Plastics.   I don't think it is anything fancy.   You might look to places which sell vinyl water beds for patching cement.   My hose is a 1/4" ID vinyl tube from Home Depot.   It goes through the bag at a glued seam, with the sheet vinyl kinda molded around it while it is flexible from the glue.   Inside the bag, I drill holes through the tube every few inches with a small drill.   Perforating the tube is quite informal; I'm just trying to make it leaky.    I snake the perforated tube around the workpiece/caul sandwich.  I rarely use a platen, but when I need to make seriously flat lamination, I  have a torsion box which goes inside the bag.

1. 
   TonyCz | Dec 26, 2007 10:40pm | #13

   Who has a good selection of Veneer punches other than Joe's and Veneer supply?

3. 
   ted | Dec 26, 2007 01:08am | #10

   We've had a vacuum pressing systems 4 x12 setup for ten years.  It's seen fairly moderate use and it's held up real well.  the pump never misses a beat.  In fact much to my ire a worker accidently let it run on continuous cycle overnite and it still performs well.