Schmalz Vacuum Clamp

[fshanno]

I did this thread in 2010 on my version of a Vacuum Clamp. Still works great with no real issues except the hissing from the venturi. It will handle a 24 x 30 panel with ease vertical or horizontal. Makes edge banding and domino's a breeze. It might be of some help to you.
If you went to convert from venturi pad to vacuum pad just plug the exit hole.

http://festoolownersgroup.com/other-tools-accessories/vac-sys-my-version/msg122161/#msg122161

John

Sweet!  How did I miss that carvers' clamp at Lee Valley?

There's a video on the V-Clamp site about holding large pieces.  They say that "rotational movement can be and issue" and "large pieces will require more than one clamp".  But this hasn't been your experience?

What about this plugging the exit hole?  How is that accomplished?  Did you ever switch over to a vac pump or are you still on your compressor?

 

[junk731]

No problem so far with the larger pieces, I have clamped 24" x 48" pcs and haven't had one come loose, just make sure the pressure is up and the gasket properly seated. You can break the seal if you really try with the larger pieces but not with normal use. I have another pad and I mount the 2 of them to my MFT's when I work with longer pieces. Really helps when your processing a lot of pieces. If you want to use a vacuum pump a piece of round toothpick seals the hole quite nicely, not sophisticated but effective. I'm just in the process of acquiring a Joe Woodworker type vacuum pump system that can be hooked up to the pad but its main purpose will be for veneering.

John

 

[b_m_hart]

$2k just to say 'hi' for a vacuum clamp head and pump seems - well, dare I say it?  Spendy.