VAC-SYS (vacuum clamping system) question

[GarryMartin]

[member=44099]Cheese[/member],  I wish I could take credit, but I remember seeing this in a photo a while back in a VAC-SYS google search I did.  I don't remember the pic or the person  I stole the idea from......but it's a slick solution.    [wink]

It was [member=191]Rick Christopherson[/member].

[attachimg=1]
http://festoolownersgroup.com/festool-tools-accessories/mission-complete!!!-all-festool-goals-for-the-shop-purchased!/msg388795/#msg388795

 

[Cheese]

Thanks for the heads-up Garry... [cool]

I'll have to thank Rick in person the next time I see him.

 

[tjbnwi]

5/16" closet (toilet) bolts work very well also.

Tom

 

[Thistleman]

erock

Thanks for the post. Mounting the VAC-SYS to the profile at the reduced height is brilliant and will make it much more usable

I have a similar design shelf to your 'pump shelf' that I have been using on my mft for a couple of years. It is the full width of the MFT and has a batten across the back with two semi circular cut outs to fit around the legs to help support it as I was concerned about the torque on the profile where the mounting bolts are

 

[grbmds]

[member=44099]Cheese[/member],  I wish I could take credit, but I remember seeing this in a photo a while back in a VAC-SYS google search I did.  I don't remember the pic or the person  I stole the idea from......but it's a slick solution.    [wink]

It was [member=191]Rick Christopherson[/member].

[attachimg=1]
http://festoolownersgroup.com/festool-tools-accessories/mission-complete!!!-all-festool-goals-for-the-shop-purchased!/msg388795/#msg388795

That is a great idea. The foot pedal is a constant problem because it moves around when you're trying to release the work piece.

 

[ScotF]

So how well does this work on solid wood -- think chair seats and parts that might have slight curve or taper. Would it work well for this application to aid sanding and grinding or would the curvature of some pieces not create suction? I know there are different heads so maybe a silly question, but just trying to get a sense of how well this works with solid wood that might not be entirely flat or in some "rough" state. It is a lot of money to plunk down -- would love to have one and it was been on my wish list for years, but no sense spending the money if it will not work well for what I need it to do -- which is primarily solid wood furniture and processing.

I know I could try the "main" unit for 30 days, but the other heads I think is what I really need to try and I do not think those are covered in the 30 day policy, which is kind of a bummer. None of my dealers have the smaller heads in a demo unit so I cannot try it out in a local store either.

Thanks!

 

[Kev]

So how well does this work on solid wood -- think chair seats and parts that might have slight curve or taper. Would it work well for this application to aid sanding and grinding or would the curvature of some pieces not create suction? I know there are different heads so maybe a silly question, but just trying to get a sense of how well this works with solid wood that might not be entirely flat or in some "rough" state. It is a lot of money to plunk down -- would love to have one and it was been on my wish list for years, but no sense spending the money if it will not work well for what I need it to do -- which is primarily solid wood furniture and processing.

I know I could try the "main" unit for 30 days, but the other heads I think is what I really need to try and I do not think those are covered in the 30 day policy, which is kind of a bummer. None of my dealers have the smaller heads in a demo unit so I cannot try it out in a local store either.

Thanks!

[member=6605]ScotF[/member]

This sort of thing?

[attachimg=1]

 

[grbmds]

I would assume that there must be a surface on the piece which has a flat surface that is no smaller than the head you use. There is one head which is skinny; 277 X 32 mm. That should work on many curved surfaces since it doesn't require a wide area (32mm). However, there would likely be some limitations, like pieces with sharp curves.

I would assume that a chair seat with a gradual curve could be clamped with a little experimenting.

I haven't found anything I couldn't clamp yet and the hold is significant on solid wood or ply.

 

[tjbnwi]

Two or more piece of masking tape, hot glue, blocks and a flat piece can solve any mounting problem.

Tom

 

[Cheese]

Two or more piece of masking tape, hot glue, blocks and a flat piece can solve any mounting problem.

Great idea...I always seem to forget about the hot melt. [embarassed]

 

[tjbnwi]

Two or more piece of masking tape, hot glue, blocks and a flat piece can solve any mounting problem.

Great idea...I always seem to forget about the hot melt. [embarassed]

The key is using masking tape as a barrier. Tape on the work piece, glue on the tape, you can glue the block directly or a piece of tape on the block. When done remove blocks and tape.

Tom

 

[ScotF]

Thanks -- some good suggestions. Never would have thought to try hot glue on masking tape.

So those that have used the system - have all the heads come into play or do 1-2 cover the bulk of needs?

 

[tjbnwi]

Thanks -- some good suggestions. Never would have thought to try hot glue on masking tape.

So those that have used the system - have all the heads come into play or do 1-2 cover the bulk of needs?

I've used all the heads.

Tom

 

[ScotF]

Thanks -- some good suggestions. Never would have thought to try hot glue on masking tape.

So those that have used the system - have all the heads come into play or do 1-2 cover the bulk of needs?

I've used all the heads.

Tom

Tom - did you get two of the Systainer sets since you have the two module system or do you find one set works well with both?

 

[tjbnwi]

Thanks -- some good suggestions. Never would have thought to try hot glue on masking tape.

So those that have used the system - have all the heads come into play or do 1-2 cover the bulk of needs?

I've used all the heads.

Tom

Tom - did you get two of the Systainer sets since you have the two module system or do you find one set works well with both?

Just one.

Tom

 

[Flatsawn]

The Vac Sys works with vacuum bags.

The Vac Sys base and head does more than the pods will.

Tom

So to be clear, can the vac sys be modified to hook up a bag for clamping veneer? Yes Tom, believe it or not I'm still thinking about it a year later [big grin]

 

[tjbnwi]

The Vac Sys works with vacuum bags.

The Vac Sys base and head does more than the pods will.

Tom

So to be clear, can the vac sys be modified to hook up a bag for clamping veneer? Yes Tom, believe it or not I'm still thinking about it a year later [big grin]

Yes, still use mine everyday I'm in the shop. 

Tom

 

[Michael Kellough]

If the Vac-Sys mounting board was slid to the right you could add a shim to brace the board against the leg and take a lot of stress off the rail. Add U-bolt around leg.

 

[rst]

View attachment 1  This is how I have mine mounted using 8020 15 series extrusions.

 

[Michael Kellough]

[member=25351]rst[/member], those long legs and the low shelf backing them up look plenty strong.

By appearance, the weakest link seems to be the struts that stick out from the legs. If you say they’re strong enough I’ll believe it.