Thread: Veneer Press

Hi Mike, this should keep you busy for a while.
Joe Wood Worker DIY Vacuum Veneer press kits.

I ordered a kit about a year ago, but will be building it in the next month which I will do a WIP on.

Ahhh....everything you need to know about a vacuum press. Looking forward to the WIP.
Ta

Hi there Mike,

I built a vacuum press from kit (except the pump) and plans from Joe Woodworker, works very well. I just have the on/off switch to permanently mount at the top in a walnut cap piece, but have used it several times. The mods I made to the design (make up/storage tanks), increased initial pull down volume, and reduced cycle frequency (pump fatigue).

Once down, it holds steady at -27Hg (-.9 Bar), and have adjustment still to pull it further, but have left it a this very strong set point. On swivel casters, made “upright”, and again, with the exception of the embosse veneer, all the wood came from the woodstove pile.

Cheers,

Walnutty-

Walnutty. We in Oz would die to have a woodstove pile like yours. No pieces of walnut would ever go up in flames! Send some over to me.

OK, will do. Post might be a bit high though.

I'd sure like to get my mits on some of the Jarah you get to work with over there!

Cheers,

Walnutty-

Hey Walnutty,
Very cool, did you make the bag as per JWW as well, any tips. I have been admiring some of your other work on the forum true craftsman I think.

Cheers
Mike
PS Is that a Powermatic in the background you lucky devil.

Hi there Mike,

Yes, I do make my own bags and use 54" W X 30mil vinyl. The larger the bag, the greater the probability that you'll get dirt in the seam or the HH66. The last bag I made measures 6 feet by 12 feet (closed), and with five people to help lay the seams, it went ok but still had me a bit nervous. Make sure the surface you have the vinyl on is flat and clean. Material cost: $125.00

If you watch yourself, prep cauls well, and so on, I get very good results with the 30mil vinyl, and save a good dose of dollars (the last "ready made" bag I bought was $800.00). I've used poly, yes, it's very flexible, but after the second or third session with the vinyl, it relaxes a good bit.

The last "ready made" 5cfm pump I bought was nearly $1,500.00, and yes, works very well. I contemplated making one a few years ago, then stumbled across JWW about a year ago, and I jumped at building one. It pulls 5cfm, has greater capacity and vacuum storage. Material cost: $375.00, (which included a new eBay Thompson pump).

I will agree that the labor component to making your own shop tools, can be argued to "the cost of your time", and true, I can't take time away from commissions during the day to justify making most things, and if feasible, do them instead "after hours", try to include my two beautiful assistants.

I'll thank you for the compliment Mike, but I just love what I do, so it makes it allot of fun to design and build, and help the girls learn the craft. I have a friend putting the web site thing together, when he’s done with it I’ll pass the link.
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Yes, I’m fond of my Powermatic stuff, I’ve never been disappointed with any of it, and can tell you that it is only bested by their customer service, it’s the best I have ever experienced from any company.
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Sorry, didn’t intend for this to be so long winded, one answered question sometimes needs a bit of background.
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<!--[endif]-->Cheers,
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Walnutty-<o></o>
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OK Dave,

I'm ready to ship it over to you. Started on this one at 7:00 this morning, stopped at 6:00 tonight, three more days to go. Log length is 31 feet, butt end is 5 foot, "skinny" end is 4 1/2 feet. Eastern Black Walnut.

I wonder how many stamps it will take........

No, I'm neither in the picture, those are THE men.

Cheers,

Walnutty........(now you know why I'm called Walnutty, my secret is out.....)

Wow. I can still dream!

Hey Walnutty,
Now you arrrrrr.... making me really envious, here in Adelaide the Pinus Radiata capital of Oz we can only dream of some timber like that. Thanks again for the info on the press can't wait to get started.
Cheers
Mike

It is an oldish thread but you may find some useful info in it........ http://www.woodworkforums.ubeaut.com...ad.php?t=24757 ................especially look for the two posts by Mick Bates.

HiString,
Great, thanks for the info got hold of Mick.

Cheers
Mike

Got it all buttoned up (finally). Firebox to the rescue! All odd pieces that did a good job coming together. Most importantly, it holds 25 inches with a vengeance, it might cycle once every 4-5 hours, thats the part I was after.

The vac adjustment is done from a through hole in the top, but really don't need to mess with it much. Big fat finger on-off toggle in the centre, the dowel slides down into the access door in the back to keep it shut, inside the door is mechanical system access and hose storage.

The electrical plug in the back can come out about 8', stays inside and contained when not in use.

It's on casters to shuttle, but might move a total of 10 feet in a year.

My two little shop princesses are gouging me for lathe time, I better go.

Cheers,

WN-

Hey WN,
Looks like furniture not machinery nice. Would you do us a WIP on a veneer project.
Cheers Mike