Mike Barney Sr
01-15-2011, 2:10 PM
I have read a few posts about veneer press recommendations. Most like a vaccuum bag.
While most do not have access to resources that I do, I thought I would share what I have made.
178180 178181Left over from a project at a previous employer was a piece of 1/2" thick cold rolled steel 12" by 18-1/2". After being laid off from there and at my new place of employment I got some scrap 3" C-channel and 2" box beam and welded up a frame.
178182178179I bought some brass bushings and sprockets on ebay, brought them to work and made the mechanism to move the platen up and down, along with the floating blocks to attach the threaded rods. I made the bottom platen (not shown) of 2x4's glued on edge and planed smooth to 3-1/4" thick.
I made a hand crank which I have replaced with a cut off 1/2" drive socket so I can use my breaker bar to turn it. I have used this much for a number of projects. It was a lot cheaper for me than purchasing a vaccuum bag. The threaded rod, sprockets, chain, and bushings totaled lass than $100. The plate and materials were free and I was able to use the welders at work, with permission of course.
While most do not have access to resources that I do, I thought I would share what I have made.
178180 178181Left over from a project at a previous employer was a piece of 1/2" thick cold rolled steel 12" by 18-1/2". After being laid off from there and at my new place of employment I got some scrap 3" C-channel and 2" box beam and welded up a frame.
178182178179I bought some brass bushings and sprockets on ebay, brought them to work and made the mechanism to move the platen up and down, along with the floating blocks to attach the threaded rods. I made the bottom platen (not shown) of 2x4's glued on edge and planed smooth to 3-1/4" thick.
I made a hand crank which I have replaced with a cut off 1/2" drive socket so I can use my breaker bar to turn it. I have used this much for a number of projects. It was a lot cheaper for me than purchasing a vaccuum bag. The threaded rod, sprockets, chain, and bushings totaled lass than $100. The plate and materials were free and I was able to use the welders at work, with permission of course.