Vacuum Clamping Bridges

[Doug Davis]

Hi, interested to know what size vacuum pumps you guys are using to glue/reglue bridges?

any other tips are appreciated as well.

thanks.
Doug.

[Paul E Buerk]

I'm using the Joe Woodworker Veneersupplies.com V2 venturi setup on top of a couple 5gal air tanks I picked up from Harbor Freight. The reservoir is probably overkill, but it certainly does help draw down the bags and vacuum frames quickly. Driving it is a oil-free Porter Cable compressor, and the family has gotten used to the sound over time. The press itself is fine, but I'd recommend getting a good vacuum pump instead of the venturi. IIRC, the minimum is something like 1CFM with 3CFM or more recommended. I'd have to look it up.

[Randy Roberts]

compressor pump out of old refrigerator works silently and well. Was just a discussion last month on the old forum, but I think that section is gone now.

[Jason Rodgers]

I'll be reviving it when I get my system assembled in the next month!

(And listen to Randy when he gives advice on the vacuum clamping )

[Randy Roberts]

I have to strongly disagree with Jason on this one. Randy is just an amateur builder who happened to have a lot of fun putting together and using a vacuum system. He has no expertise in this field whatsoever.
As a testimonial to how quiet the refrigeration pumps are, I accidentally left it on for the past 5 days and probably walked past it 40 times and didn't notice.