dale martin wrote:
I've been looking around the archives here and have found some
information and a couple of great websites about building a vacuum
press for veneering. What I plan on doing is mostly smaller sized
panels, maybe 10" X 14" or so. I know I could go old school and use
cauls, etc., but I'm interested in piecing together some kind of
vacuum system, on the cheap if possible. My questions are as follows.
Harbor Freight sells vacuum pumps, not the venturi type, but actually
vacuum pumps for use in refrigeration and a/c systems. What I'm
looking at is the 2.5 CFM model (98076-4VGA ) that sells for about
$75. If I use this with a purchased vacuum bag, what more is there to
it than to hook up the appropriately sized hoses and switch it on? Do
I need an extra reservoir or additional electric parts? Will this
sized pump have enough power to adequately pull the veneer to the
substrate? Will the pump be running constantly or once it reaches
maximum pressure shut off and only cycle on when vacuum is lost due to
leakage? Any insight as to if this is a viable plan would be
appreciated. TIA.

I use an old (~25 years) refrigerator compressor with vacuum pucks to
hold boards and plywood to the table while they're being machined on a
CNC router. Not what you're doing, but I think you can save the $75 if
you're willing to recycle.

my 7500 cents worth

--
Morris Dovey
DeSoto Solar
DeSoto, Iowa USA
http://www.iedu.com/DeSoto/