Some sort of hand pump may give you a vacuum, but unless the adhesive you are using sets in minutes, you're gonna have one sore hand. The pump I bought was the smallest vacuum pump I could find - and it is all I need. I did a laminated soundboard panel for a 7' Bluthner - big bag - and that pump worked just fine.
As far as the bag goes, like I said, the place I get mine from make custom sizes. For the bag for that 7' panel I had them make both ends open for easy access. They have a very easy to use positive sealing system on their bags. Don't get bags with a zip-lock-type seal - I tried those initially, and found that dust and wood chips get in there and render the seal useless. The offer thick bags (if I remember, 2 or 3 mm) vinyl or something better. I don't use the bags daily, so I just went with the thin vinyl - the cheapest they had - I've had them a couple years now and have run dozens of pinblocks and rib slabs through them without ever getting a leak (oops, just one leak, but I patched it very easily).
I also have the venturi pump on the same page as my pump, but rarely use it because it requires the compressor to run all the time.
What's nomex?
Terry Farrell
----- Original Message -----
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
----- Original Message -----
From: Farrell
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
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