Home made veneer press from Joe woodworker's plans

[bonesbr549]

well I've decided to give veneering a shot for my wine cabinet project I"m doing that will have a burl top.  Been wanting to do this for a long time.  When my plant shut down years ago, I bought at an auction a gast vacuum pump from one of the labs for 5 bucks (did not realize what a deal I got at the time), and set it on the shelf and decided one day I would do something with it.  Well it's moved twice with me and I plugged it up a few weeks back just to make sure the rubber seals had not dry rotted on me.  She worked fine and I went and ordered the parts from www.joewoodworker.com as a kit  along with a 4'x4' bag and built it over the thanksgiving holidays.  The intsructions from his site are easy to follow and if you can do some basic wiring It's a blast to make and at a fraction of the cost of a commercial unit.  I'll admit I lucked out with the gast pump but if you don't have one he will sell you that too.   Only thing I wish is I had a bigger pump, but for 5 bucks I'll live with the 1.1cfm pump I've got which will do up to 4'x4'.

 

[butzla]

Looks good!  Like it would almost fit in a #5 systainer too.  I'm interested.  The link you posted was incorrect.  This should work:  Joe Woodworker

 

[bonesbr549]

Looks good!  Like it would almost fit in a #5 systainer too.  I'm interested.  The link you posted was incorrect.  This should work:  Joe Woodworker

It would be cool, but I don't think it would fit!  Thanks for the catch on the url.  I corrected. 

 

[Jay Evans]

The Gast vacuum pump in the pictures looks like a diaphragm pump, which is made for and capable of continuous duty, meaning you could leave the pump running the whole time the parts are in the bag with no damage or adverse effect to the pump.  I would just run the pump straight to the bag and let it suck until the glue cured, pulling a continuous vacuum.  Those type of pump (diaphragm) are made to be run like that.

The little pumps woodcraft sells are also continuous duty.

Just another option
Jay

 

[bonesbr549]

The Gast vacuum pump in the pictures looks like a diaphragm pump, which is made for and capable of continuous duty, meaning you could leave the pump running the whole time the parts are in the bag with no damage or adverse effect to the pump.  I would just run the pump straight to the bag and let it suck until the glue cured, pulling a continuous vacuum.  Those type of pump (diaphragm) are made to be run like that.

The little pumps woodcraft sells are also continuous duty.

Just another option
Jay

I worked at a plant that made bifocal glasses that got shut down in 2005.  When they closed us down, they put a ton of stuff up for auction to the employees.  I was the only bidder at 5 bucks.  It was used in the R&D labs and was brand new.  It basically sat on a shelf in my garage since then and I figured the diapram was dryrotted.  I did not even realize that gast was a good pump till I started researching the whole process and saw a few go for big bucks on ebay.  Anyway the set up allows for minimal wear and tear on the pump.  With the vacuum sensor and mac valve it will only kick on at 18hg and back off at 21hg.  Really sweat.  The kit (all the parts) came to about 160 bucks when you count the schedule 40 pipe.  I had the rest.  The bag was half as much as the whole kit.  I would like to have gotten the poly bags but it was twice as expensive.  Anyway I'll post the pic's when I actually do the burl top. 

 

[Bill Wyko]

You can also do bent lamination's with that. You are about to go on an incredible journey. One from which you will never return. Congratulations on your project and the great score. If you have any questions, PM me, I've figured out a lot of do's and don'ts when veneering.

 

[peter halle]

Joe,

A suggestion to consider.  A assume you have a Festool plunge cut saw.  Try to cut your veneer with that.  It works.

Peter

 

[sw1211]

The bag was half as much as the whole kit.  I would like to have gotten the poly bags but it was twice as expensive.  Anyway I'll post the pic's when I actually do the burl top. 

bonesbr549,
Join Joe Woodworkers mailing list.  He has sales about twice a year with deep discounts on bags, including poly.  Looking forward to seeing your finished top.  Good luck!

Joe

Do you have a link for his mailing list?  I looked all over his web site and couldn't find where to sign up.  Thanks

 

[bonesbr549]

When you create an account it asks if you want to be on the mailing list. 

 

[bonesbr549]

Joe,

A suggestion to consider.  A assume you have a Festool plunge cut saw.  Try to cut your veneer with that.  It works.

Peter

I'll give it a try.  My first one will be an ambonya burl, so I will try it the first time with the saw.  So far he has been a big help. 

 

[bonesbr549]

bonesbr549,
I have the same unit.  I've used it for about 50 pressings so far without a hitch.  Bill's right about the journey.  Veneering is fun and you can perform other tasks with a vacuum press.

I've also used mine to glue dimensional lumber face to face for legs, etc.  Sure beats tons of clamps!  I still use some clamps on occasion to keep the stock aligned, however.

By the way, I've found a great use for the guide rail when veneering.  I use mine as a straight edge when using my veneer saw.  Aside from being straight the rubber strips on the back keep both the rail and the veneer beneath it locked in place throughout the cut.  Try it.

Joe

could you give me some more details on what you mean by face gluing?  It looks interesting.