Replies

1. 
   Jellyrug | Apr 14, 2005 06:10am | #1

   Bill,

   My next job will use a vacuum press, home built for just over $120, including a vacuum pump I picked up on ebay.

   My current piece which I'm working on, was done in the end vise of my bench, adding quite a few clamps and cauls and using 1" foam in between MDF boards to balance pressure across the veneer. It came out perfect, no problems.

1. 
   WillGeorge | Apr 14, 2005 07:25pm | #4

   Sorry for stealing the post but... using 1" foam

   Ridgid foam? Both sides?.. I would like more info if you have time...

   Thanks

1. 
   Jellyrug | Apr 14, 2005 09:16pm | #5

   Substrate - MDF

   PVA (Yellow glue) onto substrate, spread well with small paint roller, wait for first layer to penetrate a bit, 3 minutes, spread second layer and one layer onto veneer. (I used resawn veneer, the real thin stuff, you may have to be a bit leaner, not to get bleed through)

   Veneer placed onto substrate and taped and blue tape on the edges to hold in place.

   Brown paper onto veneer.

   1" upholstery foam on top of brown paper.

   MDF board on top of foam.

   Into bench end vice and lots of clamps.

   The foam works like a vacuum press and takes care of any voids, due to deflection or the upper MDF board bending a bit.

   My next one will be with a 2 stage diaphragm Ghast vacuum pump I got off Ebay for $90, in perfect condition (they can run continuously for around 20,000 hours) and the vacuum bags will be vinyl from Wallmart, used for clothes storage with a vacuum cleaner fitting and a zip lock end. They are around $9.00 for two up to 58".

   Edited 4/14/2005 2:18 pm ET by Jellyrug

1. 
   billballeza | Apr 14, 2005 10:40pm | #6

   Many thanks to you all. You've given me just the information I need to get started. As always, I appreciate your generosity.

2. 
   Patto | Apr 15, 2005 03:38am | #7

   Jellyrug,

   I have seen a sketch for the reverse of the vacuume bag, where they built a box with a loose false top. The wor was placed veneer side up below the false top, and a couple of tyre tubes were between the fixed and false tops. Pressure was applied by inflating the tubes.

   Seemed like a god idea at the time, and cheep to build.

   David

2. 
   BenM | Apr 14, 2005 02:51pm | #2

   What you want to do is called hammer veneering, which uses hot hide glue.  It's been used for hundreds of years.  Try a search on "hammer veneering" and you will get about 100 threads.

3. 
   RickL | Apr 14, 2005 07:09pm | #3

   http://www.betterbond.com/heatlock/heatlock-FAQ.htm   A new adhesive for ironing on veneer instead of hide or yellow glue.

   The caul method goes back hundreds of years and uses standard clamps. Best for simple flat pieces.

   Vaccum is pretty reasonable but the iron on technique is about as simple as it gets. Mike Burton has a simple introductory book on ironing veneer to get you going if you learn from books.