Thread: Vacuum Pumps?

Hi Steve,

I built one of those kits and I got a good quality used pump from a fellow on the Australia/New Zealand Luthiers Forum. Not sure if he has any left but here is a link Australian/New Zealand Luthiers Forum :: View topic - Vacuum pumps / Second Hand

Cheers
Rick

Originally Posted by RickR

Hi Steve,

I built one of those kits and I got a good quality used pump from a fellow on the Australia/New Zealand Luthiers Forum. Not sure if he has any left but here is a link Australian/New Zealand Luthiers Forum :: View topic - Vacuum pumps / Second Hand

Cheers
Rick

Thanks for the link Rick. I will get in contact and hopefully will able to get my hands on one. How are you finding the EVS system?

I have the pump system working fine but have no bags yet. I didn't realize until I went to order the bags that you can't ship the big bags here by post because of the length. I'm off to Canada on the weekend so I'm planning on bring them back then. It's a good kit Joe supplies and the instructions were a snap to follow.

Rick

Originally Posted by RickR

I have the pump system working fine but have no bags yet. I didn't realize until I went to order the bags that you can't ship the big bags here by post because of the length. I'm off to Canada on the weekend so I'm planning on bring them back then. It's a good kit Joe supplies and the instructions were a snap to follow.

Rick

When I did the checkout (to check shipping cost) I didn't notice anything about the length of the bags. It was just damn expensive. About $100 more for shipping if I was to order a bag also. Surely bags could be made or bought here though.

It was the length of the pipe closure pieces that were restricting the size of the bag they could ship here. I'm sure you can make them I just haven't bothered looking into it since I was making the trip and can bring them back.

CHeck out here:

Rivergum Timbers - Large Vacuum Pump

They also have a range of vacuum bags upto 2400*1200 in their kits and accessories section

Regards Lou

Sounds good Rick. I think I will get my bag through Rivergum (thanks for the link Lou) I just recently bought a stack of nice figured red gum and blackheart sassafras veneer from them. They were great to deal with. I actually managed to pick up one of the second hand pumps that Rick suggested so I will start with that and if everything works out as planned I will go for the the bigger pump from rivergum down the track. The second hand Thomas pump should be fine for now.

Off the top of your head, How many 2ply sheets do you think I could stack in the back and press at the one time while still getting a nice tight even bond. Eg.

From Bottom, Platen - veneer/veneer - wax paper - veneer/veneer - wax paper - veneer/veneer - breather mesh.

*wax paper to stop the 2ply sheets from bonding together from any squeeze out or bleed through

The veneer leaves I will be pressing are usually between 200-250mm wide and 1200mm long. So depending on the width of the bag I could potentially have 2-3 stacks. Do you think this would be effective and on the top would you think I would be better off having a platen than breather mesh?

Thanks