Mike, thanks for the info. I'm going over to join up! Thanks for the pics as well. I get the point about the frame and know of one fellow who uses that system. On the other hand I know of another guy who uses a bag, so I guess the best thing to do is inquire to the fellows on mimf. Thanks again. Are you into musical instrument making? Best, Shawn Brock, RPT ----- Original Message ----- From: "Mike Spalding" <mike.spalding1 at verizon.net> To: <pianotech at ptg.org> Sent: Friday, March 06, 2009 8:19 AM Subject: Re: [pianotech] OT vacuum press/vacuum clamping system > Shawn, > > For what you are doing, I think you'd be better off with a frame as > opposed to a bag. Pictures attached, hopefully self-explanatory. > Seriously, check out the Musical Instrument Makers Forum at mimf.com, > the participants are just as friendly and helpful as the folks here, > plus they have a wealth of specialized guitar-making knowledge. > > Mike > > Shawn Brock wrote: >> 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 <mailto:mfarrel2 at tampabay.rr.com> >> *To:* pianotech at ptg.org <mailto: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 <mailto:shawnbrock at fuse.net> >> *To:* Pianotech List <mailto:pianotech at ptg.org> >> *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 >> <http://www.myspace.com/shawnbrockmusic> >> >> Regards, >> Shawn Brock, RPT >> >
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