Vacuum Clamping and HL850

[Mike_Chrest]

Well, Bill Wyko inspired me to get off my butt and try clamping with the vacuum pump. I got the pump a couple months ago and have only used it for laminating.

I needed to dress up the edge of this laminated part. It's 10' 10" long x 3" wide x 1 1/2" thick. I previously clamped this with the 3" dimension vertically in the jaws of the three Workmates and used the HL850 to dress up the edge.

The results were not so hot. The planer followed the misalignment of the laminated edge so I ended up with a slight bevel instead of a 90 degree corner. I couldn't use the fence because the part was too narrow.

Welcome to the wonder of vacuum clamping.[attachimg=#]

 

[Mike_Chrest]

What if we vacuum clamp the part directly to the table, hang the planer over the edge and let it slide on the fence along the top of the part? It's safe to push down on the fence because the cutter is shielded.

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[Mike_Chrest]

My my vacuum pucks look simmilar to Bill's except I put them under the table and below one of the holes in the table. There is a ring of foam tape between the table and the puck.

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[Mike_Chrest]

As well as a ring of foam above the table. This would work on the MFT also. The pucks are attached with a deck screw from below and pivit out of the way if you need the hole for a regular clamp.

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[Mike_Chrest]

The result is a perfect 90 degree edge. ;D ;D ;D

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[Les]

Cool Mike. How many pucks did you use?

 

[Scott W.]

Very nice Mike,

What pump did you go with?

Scott W.

 

[Eli]

As well as a ring of foam above the table. This would work on the MFT also.

That's what I was wondering...

Cool Mike 8)

 

[Mike_Chrest]

Thanks guys,
  I used three pucks. I got the pump from "Joe Woodworker".

http://www.joewoodworker.com/veneering/vacuumclamping.htm

The MFT material is kind of porous and I haven't tried it but in theory it should work.

This is the pump. Works great.http://www.veneersupplies.com/product_info.php?manufacturers_id=&products_id=683&osCsid=e8e1c3c0bbf1facd45b4485ecde0d30f

 

[Mike_Chrest]

More cool clamp instructions.

http://www.joewoodworker.com/veneering/vacuumclampingmatrix.htm

 

[Bill Wyko]

Thanks Mike. I'm glad I could help. Joe is great isn't he? I have his excell-1 vacuum pump and I love it. He also offers refurbished vacs at a considerable discount and instructions on how to make your own. Keep and eye in the upper left corner of his site www.veneersupplies.com he sneaks in some really great specials there. If you ever have a question about vacuum systems or veneering he will reply to your e-mail usually the same day too. His site also has dozens of tutorials as well. As far as vac clamping goes, I don't know how I ever lived without it.

 

[Mike_Chrest]

Hi Bill,
  I don't seem to be getting the clamping force they show on Joe's site (the picture of the guy hanging off a board). If I wiggle the board at all I can pull it off with one hand ??? How much force does your clamp generate? Can you pull the part off?

Mike

 

[Bill Wyko]

Hi Mike, if you make your foam tape footprint larger you'll create a stronger suction. That should solve it. Also if there is the slightest leak it reduces the holding power considerably. Give that a try and let me know if that works.

 

[Mike_Chrest]

Will do.  ;D