Hi guys...
It was two years or so ago I packed my tools for a move from Florida to
Tennessee. My plans were to move to temporary quarters while I sold my Fl
real estate and then to build a home and a bigger shop (40'X60') on the 95
wooded acres we bought here.
My timing sucked (as usual) and the bubble burst... still haven't sold the
real estate (but have it all rented).
So now I'm in a 20'X22' garage.
I had brought a fair amount of wood with me and had it and the machinery all
packed into the gar-shop. Finally reality set in and I built a storage shed
for the wood which freed 4'X16' more floor space.
Since everything I can't pick up is on wheels, I can shift things around
enough to make it workable again. I don't have room to set up the cyclonic
separator, but will have to empty bags (groan) on the three horse 4 bagger
DC.
When I left Fl, I sprayed every cast iron or steel surface with T-9 (several
coats each)... 8" jointer, two table saws 1 Jet 10" and the Unisaw, 15"
planer, 14" and 20" bandsaws and the Veritas router table plate.
I was pleased to see that there was only one rusty place (and it wasn't REAL
bad... minor pitting after clean up) on the outfeed table of the jointer
(and it had a plastic sheet on it as well... which probably allowed
condensation to collect and drip on that spot) on any of the surfaces.
A little mineral spirits and some elbow grease took it all down to metal
again, then I re-sprayed as usual.
I finally got the 220 hooked up and am plumbing the 80 gal. compressor next.
Then I'll have to check the jointer cause the moving guys used the tables as
handles :( .

Now for the question.
I have a high quality vacuum pump (from my day job) to use, and a lot of
neat stuff I had re-sawn before leaving FL. Now I want to make a vacuum
press like I saw on Wood Works.
Where can I get the necessary bag, fittings and maybe a how to on all this
for a reasonable price.
A web search showed lots of places with several approaches (all seams
sealed, no seams and on and on).
Since the Wreck has such a depth of knowledge I figured one or more of y'all
has used them (uses them) and might be willing to give some pointers in both
directions.
As usual, Thanks in advance,
Tom

On Apr 1, 11:35 am, "Tom Bunetta" wrote:

SNIP

Now I want to make a vacuum
press like I saw on Wood Works.
Where can I get the necessary bag, fittings and maybe a how to on all this
for a reasonable price.

Tom, probably one of the most quoted sites for their information and
usablility has to be these guys:

http://tinyurl.com/2buypq

They have instructions on every part of building your rig as well as
the necessary components such as bags. Veneering has been on my "to
learn" list for some time now so I always go dig around on that site
to see what is new. It just gets bigger and better. There are others
as well, such as the veneersupplies.com site, but even they are hot
linked into the joewoodworker site for products.

I think the one thing I would comment on (just my opinion) is that to
get started I would probably go with vinyl bags compared to the
suggestions of going poly. Even if I hit my stride vacuuming I won't
do more than a handful of projects a year. The heavy poly bags are
made to be used over and over as a real tool.

With some care, poly bags can last quite a long while and are much
cheaper to make. But a great point was driven home by one of the guys
I corresponded with on the 'net a couple of years ago. He had just
attended one of those marvelous 2 week courses on furniture making in
one of the Carolinas, and the focus of is class was veneering.

His teacher used vinyl bags for the following reasons:

- easy to make, easy to repair

- inexpensive compared to poly

- actual use to cost was great. His instructor claimed that he got as
many as 50 bag jobs out of a bag. 50! No repairs needed. I don't
know that I personally would do fifty jobs in my remaining years

- you can make a lot of different sized bags for the same amount of
money that it takes to make one poly bag. So if you are making a
large coffee table, you don't have to try to use the same bag you made
for your mantle clock project, and vice versa. His instructor
suggested 3 or 4 basic bag sizes

- they made all their own bags in class, and used the methods
described on the JWW page. The valves, glue, and lots of other
goodies were purchased a JWW's sister site, Veneersupplies. But the
heavy vinyl was purchased in rolls at Walmart (!) in the fabric
section sold as furniture protectant

It seems the best reason to use poly is that it is more resistant to
puncture. That means that if you have long flat surfaces like cabinet
doors or table tops, you won't see much benefit to poly. But anything
with hard edges or corners will wear the bags at those points so poly
might be the ticket depending on your project choice.

I hope post how your project comes along. Veneering is actually high
on my list of things to do soon.

Robert

On Tue, 1 Apr 2008 12:35:15 -0500, "Tom Bunetta"
wrote:

Now for the question.
Where can I get the necessary bag, fittings and maybe a how to on all this
for a reasonable price.

I processed an article last fall for WoodCentral that had one man's
approach to vacuum bagging (I'm not the author--I just prettied it up
with HTML). Check http://www.woodcentral.com , go to the Articles
section and search on "vacuum". Should pop right up.

I hope it's helpful.


--
LRod

Master Woodbutcher and seasoned termite

Shamelessly whoring my website since 1999

http://www.woodbutcher.net
http://www.normstools.com

Proud participant of rec.woodworking since February, 1997

email addy de-spam-ified due to 1,000 spams per month.
If you can't figure out how to use it, I probably wouldn't
care to correspond with you anyway.

Build a tanked vacuum system, you'll extend the life of the pump ten-fold
and don't forget shutoff valves, filters and gauges. A well engineered
system can be used for vacuum chucking on the lathe as well as veneering.
I prefer chamber or press vs. bag systems, more expensive though. At the
current prices of vinyl bags I can't see why people use them instead of
chambers.

http://www.joewoodworker.com/veneering/welcome.htm
http://www.vacupress.com/vacuumveneering.htm
http://www.tapeease.com/vacuum_bags.htm
http://www.veneersupplies.com/vacuum_press.php
http://www.vacuum-press.com/products.html
http://www.drytac.com/hotpress.asp
http://www.woodcraft.com/family.aspx?FamilyID=5200 "giggle - just kidding"
http://www.dream-models.com/eco/vacuumpump.html
http://www.geocities.com/bawanewslet.../veneering.pdf
http://www.djmarks.com/pdf/djm-vacuumbag.pdf

The Veneering Book By David Shath Square - reasonable amount of info,
best I've seen so far.

The Marquetry Course By Jack Metcalfe, John Apps - has plans for
bottlejack press, limited info on vacuum systems



Not necessarily a reasonable price, but when you're ready to upgrade or
if you have someone local that can help you assemble a system, try the
bio-tech auctions. Great deals on quality vacuum equipment and benchtop
work chambers. (I didn't see many chambers this week, but they're often
listed for sale.)

http://www.dovebid.com/assets/displa...temID=ble28336
http://www.dovebid.com/assets/displa...temID=bio72289
http://www.dovebid.com/assets/displa...temID=bio72334
http://www.dovebid.com/assets/displa...ItemID=bov2204
http://www.dovebid.com/assets/displa...temID=smi29539
http://www.dovebid.com/assets/displa...ItemID=pch1058

Used lab equipment is often in like new condition. Some chambers allow
controlled heating while in vacuum. Many have accurate vacuum gauges,
some have vacuum gloves allowing working with objects while in vacuum,
interior work lights, etc..

I've seen gast vacuum pumps go for as low as $25, regularly $425 new.
Simple 4'x3'x3' benchtop chambers without pumps usually go for around
$150.

Recommend you wait for a sale in your area or find someone in the auction
city (Michigan & Ohio have sales almost every month). You can view the
equipment before purchase, which I recommend for items over $100.
Plus at the end of the auction, pallets of equipment go for $10-$25.

I've purchased vacuum pumps, gauges, air valves & T's, shaker/stirrers,
drill press and other items this way, better than ebay or garage sales.

Here some current shop tool auctions, standing drill press ~$100, large
chop saws ~$50. I only shop on-site and test before purchasing, or have
someone else shop for me if auction is in another city.

http://www.dovebid.com/assets/displa...ItemID=fac9690
http://www.dovebid.com/assets/displa...ItemID=wsw1789
http://www.dovebid.com/assets/displa...ItemID=fac9809
http://www.dovebid.com/assets/displa...ItemID=wsw1759
http://www.dovebid.com/assets/displa...ItemID=wtc1728


Many other industrial and commercial auction sites online. Also many
university and tech schools often sell and re-stock equipment each summer.
Valves and gauges can add up, I purchased a box of double stage oxygen
gauges, vacuum gauges, y valves, reverse flow valves, etc. for $25.

"Tom Bunetta" wrote in message
.. .
snipped 4 bw

Since the Wreck has such a depth of knowledge I figured one or more of
y'all has used them (uses them) and might be willing to give some pointers
in both directions.
As usual, Thanks in advance,
Tom
Gentlemen...
Thank you for the VERY helpful advice and all the links...
I have only had the time to go to one (Wood Central) and briefly looked
around.
Due to a crash back in Fl, I lost all the links so carefully hoarded (but
not backed up... I know :( )
Once again all y'all (that's plural for y'all) have come to my aid!
And to top it off we finally got DSL out here in the boonies YEAH! so
maybe I'll post a few pics later on.
Thanks again,
Tom

"Tom Bunetta" wrote in
:

Gentlemen...
Thank you for the VERY helpful advice and all the links...
I have only had the time to go to one (Wood Central) and briefly
looked around.
Due to a crash back in Fl, I lost all the links so carefully hoarded
(but not backed up... I know :( )
Once again all y'all (that's plural for y'all) have come to my aid!
And to top it off we finally got DSL out here in the boonies YEAH!
so maybe I'll post a few pics later on.
Thanks again,
Tom


Tom,

It should be fairly easy to back up your bookmarks. I'm a big user of
Netscape and Firefox (they're based off most the same codebase) and
backing up bookmarks is a simple matter of opening the bookmark manager,
and selecting the "export" function from the file menu. Save the file on
removable media, and you'll not only have a backup, you'll also be able
to access your bookmarks by opening that file. (So you can transfer your
bookmarks to another computer!)

Unfortunately, IE doesn't do the same thing.

Puckdropper
--
You can only do so much with caulk, cardboard, and duct tape.

To email me directly, send a message to puckdropper (at) fastmail.fm

"Puckdropper" wrote

It should be fairly easy to back up your bookmarks. I'm a big user of
Netscape and Firefox (they're based off most the same codebase) and
backing up bookmarks is a simple matter of opening the bookmark manager,
and selecting the "export" function from the file menu. Save the file on
removable media, and you'll not only have a backup, you'll also be able
to access your bookmarks by opening that file. (So you can transfer your
bookmarks to another computer!)

Unfortunately, IE doesn't do the same thing.


Actually IE will do the same thing. You just have to know the secret
handshake.

Open up My Computer, click on Documents and Settings, click on Owner and
look for the star shaped icon. This would be your Favorites (bookmarks)
folder. Click on this and you have all your favorites (bookmarks) in an open
window You can copy, move or perform any other function you would with any
other file.

I routinely backup to both my hard drive and an external hard drive. I also
clean out my favorites and e-mail folders regularly because if they get too
big, they slow down system performance.

The Favorites functions just fine in a separate file. The IE e-mail does
not function in a separate file. If you want to read or access past e-mails
made in IE, you must import them back into IE. I understand that there is an
inexpensive database that you can buy that will read the .dbx files that IE
uses. I have not really checked this out though.

But the Bookmarks are just URL's listed in a folder. It is a little
inconvenient to open the My Computer window to use it. But the sytem
performance dividends make it worth it. I have thousands and thousands of
bookmarks.

I should point out that this is a recent change for me because I bought and
installed a new computer in the last week. The biggest change for me is my
new external hard drive. This made transferring over all my old files to
the new computer a breeze.

On Thu, 3 Apr 2008 05:10:34 -0400, "Lee Michaels"
wrote:


"Puckdropper" wrote

It should be fairly easy to back up your bookmarks. I'm a big user of
Netscape and Firefox (they're based off most the same codebase) and
backing up bookmarks is a simple matter of opening the bookmark manager,
and selecting the "export" function from the file menu. Save the file on
removable media, and you'll not only have a backup, you'll also be able
to access your bookmarks by opening that file. (So you can transfer your
bookmarks to another computer!)

Unfortunately, IE doesn't do the same thing.


Actually IE will do the same thing. You just have to know the secret
handshake.
snip

There's an easier (well, more direct anyway) way if you just want to
export or import bookmarks.

From IE: FileImport and Export

This will open a wizard that steps you through exporting your
favorites into a single .htm file.

But accessing them directly in the favorites folder as Lee describes
is an easier way to organize them into levels of folders, when you
have lots of them. The organizer built into IE is cumbersome if you
have many favorites or need to move many around at once. You can
create whatever folder structure you want underneath the top level
favorites folder and IE will pick the structure up next time you
start it.

HTH,

Paul

"Puckdropper" wrote

It should be fairly easy to back up your bookmarks. I'm a big user of
Netscape and Firefox (they're based off most the same codebase) and
backing up bookmarks is a simple matter of opening the bookmark manager,
and selecting the "export" function from the file menu. Save the file on
removable media, and you'll not only have a backup, you'll also be able
to access your bookmarks by opening that file. (So you can transfer your
bookmarks to another computer!)

With Firefox, I use the "Foxmarks" plug-in ... automatically saves your
bookmarks online, updates them automatically, and syncs them to Firefox on
any computer you use, behind the scenes, when you're online.

Got rid of one more of a wired world's minor irritations ...

--
www.e-woodshop.net
Last update: 3/27/08
KarlC@ (the obvious)

"Puckdropper" snip
It should be fairly easy to back up your bookmarks. I'm a big user of
Netscape and Firefox (they're based off most the same codebase) and
backing up bookmarks is a simple matter of opening the bookmark manager,
and selecting the "export" function from the file menu. Save the file on
removable media, and you'll not only have a backup, you'll also be able
to access your bookmarks by opening that file. (So you can transfer your
bookmarks to another computer!)

Unfortunately, IE doesn't do the same thing.

Puckdropper
--
You can only do so much with caulk, cardboard, and duct tape.

To email me directly, send a message to puckdropper (at) fastmail.fm

Alas, I use IE... but other posts below suggest ways to back them up.
Tom

"Paul Franklin" wrote

On Thu, 3 Apr 2008 05:10:34 -0400, "Lee Michaels"
wrote:


"Puckdropper" wrote

It should be fairly easy to back up your bookmarks. I'm a big user of
Netscape and Firefox (they're based off most the same codebase) and
backing up bookmarks is a simple matter of opening the bookmark manager,
and selecting the "export" function from the file menu. Save the file
on
removable media, and you'll not only have a backup, you'll also be able
to access your bookmarks by opening that file. (So you can transfer
your
bookmarks to another computer!)

Unfortunately, IE doesn't do the same thing.


Actually IE will do the same thing. You just have to know the secret
handshake.
snip

There's an easier (well, more direct anyway) way if you just want to
export or import bookmarks.

From IE: FileImport and Export

This will open a wizard that steps you through exporting your
favorites into a single .htm file.

But accessing them directly in the favorites folder as Lee describes
is an easier way to organize them into levels of folders, when you
have lots of them. The organizer built into IE is cumbersome if you
have many favorites or need to move many around at once. You can
create whatever folder structure you want underneath the top level
favorites folder and IE will pick the structure up next time you
start it.

If you want to just lump everything together for backup purposes only, you
can also go to Tools - Acounts - Export. Then Import to back up. It won't
give you capability to use the files though.

Paul Franklin wrote in
:

*snip*


There's an easier (well, more direct anyway) way if you just want to
export or import bookmarks.

From IE: FileImport and Export

This will open a wizard that steps you through exporting your
favorites into a single .htm file.


*snip*


HTH,

Paul


The single .htm file is important... at least to me. You can open that
in your favorite browser and have access to all your bookmarks. There's
no need to import them, so if you want to show your family your
collection of Lee Valley tool links you can simply put the device in the
computer and open the file.

This isn't a roaming profile or anything, so don't expect to easily save
new bookmarks, but it's a fairly easy way to take them with you.

Puckdropper
--
You can only do so much with caulk, cardboard, and duct tape.

To email me directly, send a message to puckdropper (at) fastmail.fm

On 03 Apr 2008 15:50:06 GMT, Puckdropper
wrote:

Paul Franklin wrote in
:

*snip*


There's an easier (well, more direct anyway) way if you just want to
export or import bookmarks.

From IE: FileImport and Export

This will open a wizard that steps you through exporting your
favorites into a single .htm file.


The single .htm file is important... at least to me. You can open that
in your favorite browser and have access to all your bookmarks. There's
no need to import them, so if you want to show your family your
collection of Lee Valley tool links you can simply put the device in the
computer and open the file.

This isn't a roaming profile or anything, so don't expect to easily save
new bookmarks, but it's a fairly easy way to take them with you.

A single file means its VERY easy way to loose them all - i has
happened to me with Netscape in the past and I'm sure it will happen
again. It's the one feature I just wish they would change in Firefox,
the IE way of doing bookmarks is just so much better in every respect.
Pity IE is and always will be such a ****ty browser.


--

Mike wrote:
On 03 Apr 2008 15:50:06 GMT, Puckdropper
wrote:

Paul Franklin wrote in
:

*snip*

There's an easier (well, more direct anyway) way if you just want to
export or import bookmarks.

From IE: FileImport and Export

This will open a wizard that steps you through exporting your
favorites into a single .htm file.

The single .htm file is important... at least to me. You can open that
in your favorite browser and have access to all your bookmarks. There's
no need to import them, so if you want to show your family your
collection of Lee Valley tool links you can simply put the device in the
computer and open the file.

This isn't a roaming profile or anything, so don't expect to easily save
new bookmarks, but it's a fairly easy way to take them with you.

A single file means its VERY easy way to loose them all - i has
happened to me with Netscape in the past and I'm sure it will happen
again. It's the one feature I just wish they would change in Firefox,
the IE way of doing bookmarks is just so much better in every respect.
Pity IE is and always will be such a ****ty browser.



In Firefox, I got an add-in called Foxmarks, available on the mozilla site.

It's not primarily designed as a bookmark backup but that's what it did
for me. Its primary function is to store bookmarks on a remote server so
that you can synch two PCs with the same bookmarks. But it's a copy of
what you have on both.

Tanus

"Tanus" wrote

In Firefox, I got an add-in called Foxmarks, available on the mozilla
site.

It's not primarily designed as a bookmark backup but that's what it did
for me. Its primary function is to store bookmarks on a remote server so
that you can synch two PCs with the same bookmarks. But it's a copy of
what you have on both.

Deja tu ...


--
www.e-woodshop.net
Last update: 3/27/08
KarlC@ (the obvious)

"Mike" wrote in message
A single file means its VERY easy way to lose them all - i has
happened to me with Netscape in the past and I'm sure it will happen

I use a small program called BackRex which saves all my bookmarks, windows
setting and stuff like that. Very easy to use, I run it about once a week.
It's saved me from ripping out my remaining hair more than once.

On 07 Apr 2008 17:16:19 -0400, Maxwell Lol wrote:

Mike writes:

A single file means its VERY easy way to loose them all

organize Bookmarks=Import and Export=Backup

It even give the file a unique name based on the date, so you can have
multiple backups.

Which is basically what I do manually by copying the bookmarks.htm
file - I've never even seen that specific feature in Firefox before,
thanks for the tip!

--