Hi Guy, I have had the same system for years (no digital controller) and it has been great. I use EvacuNet on top of the platen to help protect the bag from sharp corners. It also aides in air removal. Steve
Hey Steve! I have some of that also, and it's what I typically use if you've watched any of my videos that I do veneer. For this one video however, I decided to do the "classic" way of doing it. I really like the plastic netting.
That kit is very impressive. I really like the clamping pads too. I just kept thinking about using them for sanding panels. Great job on the video, too! You explained everything perfectly.
+Lance's Woodshop That system you have is a great system for the price. I went for something larger for quicker extraction on larger panels and bent laminations. Very impressed so far!
There is a check valve inside if it gets dirt in the valve it sticks and flutters wont quite stay shut so it never gets the correct reading call Vac u press they walk me thru it fix the problem ...My fault no filter !
I was hoping you would do this video. Thanks it answered a bunch of questions I had. One question is how much was the system as you showed it. This is really something I want to learn to do. It opens up a whole bunch of great looking woods for boxes.
Very good video. I have the same pump (although mine must be older as it does not have the digital display) and it's been superb over the years. I have a couple of similar plattens to yours which can be joined together in different shapes. (I think I posted a video on youtube about them at some point.) I like the look of those vacuum clamps- would be good for things like the Festool domino or routing when you need to raise the workpiece of the table a little.
Very nice explanation and well done demonstration! You have upgraded your system, therefore it's obvious you are very happy with using the vacuum process. It wasn't long ago you had your first try on the curved laminates. My question is, why not leave the laminates in the vacuum until the glue has fully cured? I noticed in an earlier process of yours, you took it out at one hour and then let the glue cure for another three hours. Might it be that there is a need for the glue to have normal atmosphere for proper adhesion and to be completely cured?
+MRrwmac Thanks Mac! Any time I have done pressing before with a veneer glue like the one in this demo, I have always taken them out after 45 minutes to an hour. And that's what I did this time.
Guy, The vacuum pad clamps you demonstrated here, would be a great addition to the system. But don't they need two very smooth (almost glass like) surfaces to have proper and strong adhesion? Especially if (as you mentioned in a comment reply) you may be using them to do edge routing?
Hey Mac. They worked fine on the MDF top of my assembly table that has been treated with wax, and I think you can see that they held the panel I was working on fine. I have tried them on plywood and solid wood also, and they work fine. A smooth, glass like surface is very helpful, but not completely necessary.
About glue winding up where you don't want it: Is it a problem? Are there steps you take (that you might not use for conventional clamping)? If glue gets on the bag, is it hard to remove? Are there glues you avoid for this reason?
Good question David. Both of the cauls I used for this were waxed, so if glue does get on them, it easily comes off. And since the bag is plastic, glue doesn't stick to it. So again, it easily comes off.
Hi Guy- I dont know if you are still monitoring comments here but I had a question for you. Is that bag you have 4' wide or 5'? looks nice and wide for that 4' platen.
Quiero comprar una máquina para doblar láminas de madera . Cuál me recomienda.. es verdad que hay una variedad pero me gustaría la opinión de la experiencia.. gracias.
A nice video Guy! I have been wanting to get a similar setup and try veneering. If I remember correctly you like Festool tools as well correct? Is it possible to use the new Festool vacuum clamp system/setup to work with a vacuum bag/veneering setup as well? Also, the systems you see that have a plywood and PVC tube setup, are they designed for a compressor/Venturi setup or to just make a higher vacuum draw? Thanks for taking the time to answer our questions and making such informative video's. They have been a big help when I was looking for a new tool or needed more information for a technique or project.. Ron
Thanks Ron. I am not sure of the draw on the Festool vac, however I'm sure it will work. Just not sure of how efficient it will be. I have one of the shop made systems, and the PVC tubes are there for reserve.
GuysWoodshop ahh ok. Because there's special glue for veneers gotcha okay yeah I have type on cold-press and it says 100 to 250 psi for 45 minutes to 2 hours cool man thanks just curious I might get one with the Uncle Sam money
Hi Guy, thanks for that tremendous review. I have been considering the Festool VAC-SYS system for a while and comparing to the system you are using, the Festool system is twice the price so VACU PRESS system is a pretty good alternative to consider. I don't have any use for a bag yet but I need a practical clamping solution. I have two questions. 1) While using the pump to clamp vertically, if you have a power failure would the board fall off the clamp immediately or it will hold for a while like the festool VAC-SYS? 2) Noise wise have you ever compare that system with the Festool system? Thanks
Thanks Marcus. If the system fairly air tight, once a vacuum is established, there needs to be a leak in the system for it to fail if the pump is turned off. And I have not heard the Festool system in use, so I really couldn't comment on the noise difference.
The physics of this technique are absolutely baffling. How is a thin layer of plastic possibly giving uniform clamping pressure across a panel of any size? It’s absolutely incredible and lucky for me I don’t need to understand the physics to try this method myself. 🤣 great video
+Chuck Hart I had one that used a Venturi and a compressor. Not very happy with it. VacuPress offers a smaller system with a bag for less than the cost of this pump shown here. Very good value and it will do probably everything you need it to do. Take a look at their website. The link is in the description of this video.
Just subscribed to your channel. Great stuff. Love the vacuum pack system you have. I want to get one but have a question. I'm just learning about veneering. I've seen guys just use contact cement and then go over veneer with a piece of wood like a scraper. Making sure the veneer is contacting the substrate. Is vacuum pressing that much better? Does it last longer?
Hey Pete! Welcome to the channel. Yes, you can use contact cement. However with it you should use a paper backed veneer. It really limits the quality and variety of what veneer you can get. And yes, A vac bag is much better than a roller or iron any day.
Thanks for the answer that is exactly what I was looking for. You explained it perfectly. Question: Is it worth buying the Industrial 30 Mil Polyurethane bags or not worth the extra expense? I am just getting into veneering, but obsessed with buying the best equipment and supplies to start with instead of working my way up the ladder.
The polyurethane bags are very nice, and very expensive. They will last longer and are less prone to punctures from the contents of the bag. That being said, I have 3 30 mil vinyl bags. 2 are over 2 years old, and have been used heavily with no problems.
Hey Tom! The system is from vacupress.com. They have complete packages for home and hobby use. Look at the 1.5 cfm unit if you're not doing anything very large or planning bent laminations with the system.
GuysWoodshop Guy, did you say "don't" get the 1.5 cfm system if we are planning to do bent laminations? I assume that's because the vacuum pressure would not be enough to both attain and maintain the bend? I thought (could be wrong - haha) the system you were using awhile back was at or near 1.5 cfm and you were able to achieve very nice bent laminations?
+MRrwmac What I did with the panels was bending veneer and flexible ply on a very small scale, and I had a real hard time with it. To do larger solid wood bent laminations, it makes it easier to draw the air out faster, that's why I might recommend a larger unit. Once that air is drawn out, the pressure is the same.
