[pianotech] OT vacuum press/vacuum clamping system

[Shawn Brock]

Terry,

Thanks for the info.  I'm glad someone knows something about these things.  I have never even looked at one of these before and don't know squat...  I don't
know that I need a large pump because of the nature of the work.  I would just be using it to press tops and or backs of guitars.  One wood working outfit in town has one that has a 14 by 49 bag and comes with some sort of hand pump.  Like I stated earlier though the dimensions of the bag don't work for me and I don't know what to expect from a hand pump system.  I'm sure I wouldn't need a pump with massive power but the hand pump might be a little wimpy.  Do you have any thoughts on this?  Basically what I would like to do is take the soundboard, glue on a layer of nomex and press it.  After that I would thin down the soundboard from about 3/4mm to 2mm, glue another board on putting the nomex in-between like a sandwich and press again.  It seems easy enough, its just figuring out what kind of equipment would work the best.
 Regards,
Shawn Brock, RPT
Block quote start
----- Original Message -----
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Farrell 
  To: pianotech at ptg.org 
  Sent: Wednesday, March 04, 2009 11:35 AM
  Subject: Re: [pianotech] OT vacuum press/vacuum clamping system


  Hi Shawn,

  Vacuum pressing is enough of a specialty area that I really don't think you'll find much on the street. There's really only a few places that sell that stuff. You really need to go on-line to find what works for you.

  I use vacuum pressing for building laminated soundboard panels, rib sets and gluing just about any large flat/cured panel to another. Basically all you need is a vacuum pump and a plastic bag. I have my bags custom made at http://www.vacupress.com/pricing.htm  (scroll about half way down for their bags - they also make custom sizes). I also buy my adhesive from them http://www.vacupress.com/veneerglue.htm .  I bought my vacuum pump from these folks - the CD100 http://www.vac-u-clamp.com/products/basic-pumps/index.htm - it's a real workhorse and all you need.

  I'm happy to share tons more info on tips, techniques, equipment, etc. - just ask away.

  Terry Farrell
    ----- Original Message ----- 
    From: Shawn Brock 
    To: Pianotech List 
    Sent: Wednesday, March 04, 2009 10:26 AM
    Subject: [pianotech] OT vacuum press/vacuum clamping system


    List,

    do any of you have experience with the use of a vacuum press/clamping system?  I am in the market for this product but am having a hard time finding someone who sells it in the Cincinnati area.  More accurately, I'm having a hard time finding someone who knows if they stock them.  You know how it goes...  Maybe they have it and don't know if they do but they assume they don't because you want it...  I am going to get back to my old hobby of building guitars so I need a system that will handle something 15 wide and maybe 22 long.  I found one that has a capacity of 14 wide and 47 long but those folks tell me they can't order anything bigger.  I would rather shop for one in store than online so I can grope the product in person.  I'm not trying to hide my ignorance on vacuum press's, I don't know hardly anything about them so...  I am planning to build either a double top guitar with a nomex core or a lattice braced top using balsa wood and carbon fiber.  If you haven't got a chance to hear classical guitars built in this modern fashion you should check them out.  The volume is tremendous!  You can't even compare them to traditional construction as far as volume goes.  The tone is another  matter though.  You can check out my page on myspace to hear traditional Spanish construction next to this new sound offered by these guitars.  I have 4 songs posted at this time and I used 3 different guitars.  Fields of Gold uses a traditional Classical Spanish made guitar with Spruce top, The Call is a lattice top guitar and New Moon and Golpe were played on a Spanish Flamenco guitar with a Seder top.  I wonder if any of these new ideas could become useful in piano soundboard construction?  
    www.myspace.com/shawnbrockmusic

    Regards,
    Shawn Brock, RPT 
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