Vacuum Frame Presses - Mike Hide

[Rick]

I'm trying to build my own vacuum press frame system. I currently am making bent laminations 2-1/2" wide x 48" long x 3/4" thick. They have a radius of

55".

I don't know is what to use for a membrane.

This is what I have in mind to build:

did a google search and saw that Mike Hide was working on something similar a couple years ago. Mike, did you ever get it working? Has anyone else built anything similar to this? If so, what did you use for the membrane material?

Thanks for the help.

Rick

[Unisaw A100]

We use a shop built frame from 8/4 and the sameish heavy clear vinyl as sold by all the vacuum bagging companies.

You have to work the membrane as the vacuum is pulled to prevent bridging (big, wide areas where the membrane isn't pulling against the table or the item being pressed) but it's an economical alternative to what looks like an expensive system as shown at the link.

UA100

[Rick]

I was thinking of building an aluminum frame similar to the link, but I could do hardwood too. How do you attach the vinyl to the 8/4 frame? What size frame are you using?

Where did you get the vinyl? How often do you have to replace the vinyl? Have you tried any other materials such as the silicone or polyurethane on commercial units?

Have I asked enough questions yet? lol

If anyone else has anything to add, please do.

Thanks for the responses.

Rick

[Bridger]

I have heard that clear vinyl shower curtains are about the right material. polyethlene isn't.

[A Dubya]

Hey Rick,

Just wondering why the frame press? A bag is a lot more simple, easy to store, and doesn't take up any real estate. Frame press is kind of designed for a production shop, where you slap your pieces in, press them, get them out and repeat. Basically and expensive table.

I run my vacuum on a set of saw horses, roughly a 4'x8' bag with a routed piece of mdf as the interior base, when done, the whole system goes in a cubby hole.

Cheers,

Andy

[Doug Brown]

I have been a lurker on the group for some time.

I have absoluely no personal knowledge or experience in vacum pressing or laminating but I seem to recall someone using EPDM rubber. This is the same material that commercial roofs are covered with and is all pond liner material.

[Unisaw A100]

You don't. You just lay it between the table and the frame and F-clamp it around the perimeter.

We have two. The larger frame is 4'ish by 8'ish. The smaller is smaller but not by much.

I believe we get it the same places as everyone else like Quality Vac. I suspect similar could be found at McMaster-Carr or other places specializing in vinyl.

I couldn't tell you. We have around 35 guys in our shop and we use it for radius work only (no flat panel process) so I'd think a smaller shop, if it took care not to stretch the vinyl could get years (2-3) out of it, dependent on use.

Not that I'm aware.

All good questions I might add. Sorry, I'm not the guy who uses the machine and can't get specific.

All aboard.

Not a prob Rick.

UA100

[Rick]

I have quite a few of these things to do so a frame press seemed to be the most logical choice. I figured if I was going to invest in the construction, may as well go all out. Real estate is always a problem, but I think I could find a place to put it.

The bagging system just didn't sound quite as convenient. Maybe I'm wrong here. The system in the link in the original post seemed to be quite easy to use. Load pieces onto mold. Close cover. Evacuate the air. Whamo. Done.

The bag system seemed a bit more difficult to do. And also, I was thinking of doing a couple at a time. Side by side. I would think with a bag system, this would be pretty difficult. Maybe not?

I'd sure appreciate hearing from others who have tackled this problem.

Does anyone know of any good books out there on vacuum system usage, design, and construction?

Thanks to all.

Rick

[Scott Post]

How about here:

mil vinyl, 53" widths. I've been eyeballing this as a source of vinyl for making a few vacuum bags since the bag that came with my vac press is larger than I'll usually need.

[KYHighlander]

What do you plan to use to pump out the air?

KY

[Andrew Barss]

: Does anyone know of any good books out there on vacuum system usage, design, : and construction?

The Veneer Book, by David Shath Square.

-- Andy Barss

[Unisaw A100]

It's also handy to have a port that will allow for a shop vac to begin drawing down the vacuum. It will move a lot more air than your venturi or vacuum pump.

UA100

[Rick]

I have a 5cfm rotary vane vac pump.

I also have a 1 cfm venturi pump and a 4cfm venturi pump.

I thought I'd evac the air with the rotary vane and then use the 1cfm venturi to maintain the vacuum. Or maybe I'll let the rotary vane start and stop. I have it on a vac switch.

Either way, I can maintain a relatively high vacuum for an indefinite period. Just depends on whether I want my compressor or vac pump running.

Rick

[Doug Miller]

Just be careful searching the web...

Some years ago... See, I make wine at home. Getting rid of dissolved CO2 is a not insignificant problem for home winemakers. Commercial wineries generally vacuum-filter their wines to remove sediment, which removes CO2 as well. But that's not really practical for someone who makes maybe twenty gallons a year. So, knowing that hand-operated vacuum pumps have uses as automotive test equipment, and finding the prices at the local NAPA store not to my liking, I decided to search the web.

For vacuum pumps.

In all my innocence, I was completely unaware of the various, um, "recreational" uses for vacuum pumps. Yeeeeooowwww.

-- Doug Miller (alphageek at milmac dot com)

How come we choose from just two people to run for president and 50 for Miss America?

[Mike Hide]

try this web site............

[Rick]

I've looked at all the information there. I'm just not terribly interested in bagging. For what I'm doing, I think a vacuum press would function better.

Did you ever get one made?

I did a google search and saw that you were working on one a while back. Did you end up using bags or making a press?

Thanks for the response.

Rick

[Rick]

I found a few sources for the silicone membrane. It appears as though most systems use a 1/16" thick membrane. Some use translucent some use opaque.

Prices varied from a couple dollars per square foot to over $10. I'm trying to figure out the differences between them.

I'll let everyone know how it goes.

By the way, does anyone know how to attach silicone membranes to aluminum frames?

Rick

[markm]

I would like to know where to get polyurethane sheet material. I have found sources for vinyl but have samples of both and the polyurethane is much more flexible and nicer.

The cost of pre-made bags will take you breath away.

I also though that the pre-made systems were awfully expensive so I bought a rotary vane pump from Gast and built my own.

mark