Vacuum Press Build

[Belle City WW]

I recently attended a Bow Front Table Class and learned how to do bent laminations, I wanted to be able to do this in my shop, so I needed to come up with the equipment on a budget.  After a little bit of research it seemed that everyone was pointing to joewoodworker.com as the go to guy for everything veneer.  ( Thanks Marc!)  I purchased the rebuilt Thomas 3.15 CFM pump and the EVS kit from his website and spent yesterday putting it together.  The instructions are very simple to follow and everything works as it should.  Here is what you get....... Note: you have to supply the PVC, electrical box and a couple of other items you can get at your home center or the hardware store. The cost for these items was minimal.

The instructions are pretty much a small manual:

You build the manifold first - Just make it look like the picture:

Then the MAC Valve Assembly:

Next you build the carrier and mount everything:  You can take liberties with this part.

Add the electrical box and wire it up:

And test it to see if it holds vacuum which it does:

I was a bit intimidated when I started as I don't mess with electrical stuff, but Joe's instructions makes this build a simple process.

The build cost under $300.00.

I thought I would share this in case anyone was on the fence about building or just buying one.

John

[pkinneb]

Nice build and great price for the functionality!

[Chestnut]

20 minutes ago, Belle City WW said:

The build cost under $300.00.

Hummmm ... I've done bent lamination using clamps and it works but i always felt that vacuum would be better. I'd also love to try out resin stabilizing. I have some awesome punky Apple from my old neighbors tree.

This looks like a solid kit for a decent price. I might be getting gone of these some day. Thanks for the post.