vacuum table?

[Loren Beach]

I know a boatbuilder that uses one for all sorts of fabrication -- small layups and sometimes even rather large pieces.
Anyone here built one?

For years I always have some difficulty getting the excess epoxy out of parts I am laminating... This is normally layers of cloth and resin over a mold or a coring material.

I know that there are supposed to be sources for reliable vac. pumps and info on setting up the plastic and hoses, etc. I really do not want to get into a large vacuuming bagging setup -- just a table that would take parts up to, say, 4 X 4 feet max and often much smaller.

If you have real-world experiences and even some photos to share, it would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Loren

 

[treilley]

I bet Martin has.

I was challenged with replacing the veneer along the interior of my cabin top and setee sides last year. It would have been a project unto itself to setup a vacuum press in this area and contact cement would have been very difficult to align properly. I tried a new product called Heat Lock glue. It allows you to apply glue to both surfaces, let it dry, align your veneer to the substrate and then use a steam iron to activate the glue. I did some test pieces with Luan and some wood backed veneer. I soaked the piece for over a week in water and when I tried to pull them apart the glue in the luan failed first.

http://www.veneersupplies.com/product_info.php?products_id=738


I still have to add the text to this project but you can see the photos here:

http://treilley.myphotoalbum.com/view_album.php?set_albumName=album29

Here is the finished veneer:

http://treilley.myphotoalbum.com/view_album.php?set_albumName=album28

 

[Martin King]

Hey Loren,
I've posted pics before of work I've needed to bag in place both on
the boat, and onto bending forms. I have a friend who has a dedicated
vacuum bagging station in his boatyard and it's great. For a small home
shop like mine, it just eats up too much real estate for occasional use.
If you are in the market for a vacuum press or just want to learn about
it, you can go here:http://vacupress.com
Cheers,

Martin