building a vac press for veneering

[stan kern]

I have been gluing and machining trying to build a vac press,
bit of trouble getting the vinyl but it will come ,the vinyl will
be held in the maple frame
and the frame will be clamped or latched
to the mdf table with an oring for a seal.(between the fram end the table)
Have a small 1/3 hp vac pump to connect up
The frame is also hinged so you can open it and place your veneer and the panel
you are veneering to

http://youtu.be/i3dawJZJo4c part 1 building a vac pres

[Walter Plummer]

The vinyl will need slack to allow for the thickness of whatever you are pressing. Use a gasket between the frame and the table and you don't need latches. Once the vac starts the frame will draw down all by itself.

[stan kern]

ok thanks will try

[Christopher Kanda]

where are you getting the vinyl from?

[stan kern]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nN2Hg-YDOe4&feature=share&list=UU_PEoeKZVkgYpHbnwePe1EgU
I am working away and the end is close,i will be ready to assemble tomorow.
No vinyl yet but there are a buch of good ideas here but i may try vapour barrier plastic 6 ml for now till i find the right stuff
Ran some tests today and all is good,this is going to work well,another add on to my small vac pump

And i still have no supplier for the vinyl ,but will substitute vapour barrier until i find a supply of heavy vinyl

[stan kern]

I assembled everything bolted screwed calked sealed etc,
I used vapour varrier 6ml for testing,closed up the frame hooked up the vac and it failed
it was drawing very little vac,i was very disappointed,I took everything apart seals inner
frame and then just placed a piece of vapour barrier on the mdf table over the
oring seal
,closed the frame drew a vac and it worked.Too simple built all that extra stuff for
nothing
Its working great ,i will now start serious shopping for vinyl or polyurethane
sheeting

http://youtu.be/z3Mlcffc3Oc

I pulled a vac on everyhting ,including my hat
I am pleased

[Neal Schlee]

Most fabric stores sell 20mil clear vinyl, some sell 30mil. I've made bags from 20mil vinyl using 2 sided tape with good results.

Neal

[Mike Heidrick]

In the fabric isle of walmart you can find some HD vinyl. Also shower curtains at Lowes has some HD ones.

[stan kern]

thanks everybody ,sometimes the supplies stare you in the face!!