Cheaper and Can Do More Than Regular Woodworking Clamps!

The Vacuum press is the most versatile clamp in my shop and has transformed my woodworking. Brought to you by Squarespace. For 10% off your first purchase, go to: squarespace.com/makesomething
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★ TOOLS / SUPPLIES (Affiliate Links) ★
Wine Saver Pump: amzn.to/3Pvywlv
Clear Vinyl 8 Gauge: bit.ly/3vcGkln
Washers:
Sealing Tape: amzn.to/3vtz0la
Hot Glue Gun: amzn.to/3yTgYHF
Netting: amzn.to/49Udfdn
Vacuum Pump: bit.ly/3Tvssuk
Skateboard Veneers: bit.ly/3TJJjen
Skateboard Vacuum Pump Kit: bit.ly/3Vt08vq
Mold Foam - 3”, 3lb: bit.ly/3x8DDBN
Pre-made Mold: bit.ly/3TL0NXL
Skateboard Router Bit: bit.ly/4a8oIGj
Wood Glue: amzn.to/4956Lau
Veneer Glue: amzn.to/3TONFB3
Hard Glue: amzn.to/39Wh8Vz
Stepcraft CNC: bit.ly/3pX03xU
Rayjet R400 Laser Cutter: bit.ly/3uHoP9e
Tape Dispenser: amzn.to/42KwNyb
Green Tape: amzn.to/34doY9U
Grip Tape: amzn.to/3IOGrqk
Wheels and Trucks: amzn.to/3TNnHg7

[@openSourceskateboards]

Nice work, the boards look great!! (And thanks for the shout out!)

[@mark37724]

Sure that's a wine pump.😂 "I don't even know what this is! This sort of thing ain't my bag, baby."

[@OneWhoWas]

Scrolling past and I stopped to come here for this. I'm glad you're on top of it 👍 Carry on the good work.

[@orazha]

As someone who's spent years working with these kinds of vacuum systems, I'd like to make a few suggestions. 1. Of course, a vacuum system generally works best. However, there are other options. You can use your existing air compressor to get your vacuum by adding a venturi adapter to the line. This has worked well for me. You can use a shop vac but you may not get as high pressure as with the venturi. 2. Adding a vacuum guage will help you detect leaks. 3. Using mesh completely around the device ensures a more even vacuum pressure. I used girls knee high stockings for small items and womens stockings for larger. If they stretch out too far, it's a good idea to put two layers on. They will give even shape over the entire form and material. 4. There are a number of ways to make forms. Moulding plaster, bondo or similar which will hold up better and can be reused easier, and I'm sure there are other materials that will pour onto a mold. For your skate boards, encircle a skate board with a dam with the top of the board to the inside, Seal it and pour the material on top of the board. If using plaster, add metal stiffeners to help prevent the plaster from cracking.

[@dirkhaar2243]

Has someone tried out those vacuum bags sold on TV shopping shows usable for clothes, beds and such for clamping? We own four of them, three of them hold the vacuum for years now, stiff as a board. (My idea is the advantage of using a normal vacuum cleaner.)

[@dfu1685]

@orazha thank you for the specific tips to improve this process. Do you have any KZbin’s on the process? I would love to see the mold making process especially!

[@jackleg693]

“Art makes the world a better place, let’s make more.” Love this! You always make creativity such a joy to watch and it inspires me to be better tomorrow than I am today. Thanks for sharing

[@cyborgrat]

You forgot one pump that we mostly all have in a shop. The shopvac. I use it for removing air for clothing bags, vacuum molding before I had a 3d printer. And you can also use it to inflate things like party balloon or boat etc.

[@newolde1]

Wait, how do you use a 3D printer for vacuum molding?

[@zednott]

@@newolde1 think hes saying he did vacuum forming to make things b4 he got a 3d printer

[@newolde1]

@@zednott darn, I was hoping to learn a new trick.. 😊

[@zednott]

@@newolde1 well i suppose you could 3d print negative molds to use in vacuum forming.

[@newolde1]

@@zednott yeah for sure you can! But that's not a new trick.. 🥲

[@parsons177]

Love how you mix the tutorial and an art project at different levels for this one. Perfect delivery. Very much enjoyed it. And I haven't even skateboarded in about 25 years

[@deanaoxo]

I will fear no art~!~ As a maker, an ex-skater(sk8brds)and now a onewheeler, so much goodness just happened for me in this video. I've been wanting to do vacuum bagging for awhile now. I already do a bunch of cold forming bent laminates for work, now I want to play with decks. Thank you~!~

[@sfcpower]

New tag line!?! Who's going to tell me to "...stay pationate and make something?" Seriously though, Keep evolving! We found you, Bob, Jimmy, and the others for a skill or technique and stay because of your personalities and creative sides.

[@stevenschmelling5597]

Sorry to hear that your friend, Joann's store is not doing so well.

[@TreeLuvBurdpu]

I was amazed to see that vacuum bags can compress a whole mattress. Even with a cheap pump.

[@sgsax]

I love how this idea evolved from a story about making skate decks to one about different ways to use a new tool. The deck turned out gorgeous, but I really learned a lot about using the vacuum press. I think I need a new tool now. Thanks for sharing!

[@jdkemsley7628]

this...just...wow. You nailed the format. Concise, entertaining, extremely informative, and it still speaks to the artist in us all

[@georgiospapadopoulos2066]

As a woodworker and a skater i must say i appreciate your video! Great work ,beautiful decks!

[@ResinEssenceByCheri]

I love your channel so much! You always inspire me to try things that are outside of my skill set and I love learning new skills. Thank you!

[@jtotheb-ip2hh]

I love the look of those boards! nicely done, MS!

[@lamarbailey]

Good video Joewoodworker has a lot of info on vacuum pressing and pump setups. Bag tip - If you have a shop around that makes boat covers they use clear vinyl for the the windows, You can get cut offs cheap or free most of the time. I have bought sections from shops to make different sized bags for a fraction of the costs you could purchase the vinyl elsewhere. I use HH-66 vinyl cement to glue the edges it works great and makes a permanent air tight bond.

[@davebauerart]

Great info and all those boards came out great! Your sense of style and design is always inspiring.

[@Fitchett2012]

This was awesome. Thank you doing this video. I’m in the process of setting up my hobby shop, and your videos are definitely an inspiration for my planning.

[@its_marc]

What a brilliant idea, every days a school day Thankyou.

[@parkercombes]

Thank you for the 3 options on vacuum pumps and bags. Veneering scares the heck out of me, this was a great demonstration on starting in a reasonable fashion 😊

[@jimrosson6702]

Absolutely amazing video as a new woodworker veneering scares me, but after watching your videos, it makes it seem like it’s something that’s very doable even for a beginner. Thanks for sharing and always giving us such great ideas.

[@mindyhall4638]

Always a good day when a Picciuto video drops!

[@formandojuntos]

Great vid!! Love the type of videos you make, they really stand out and inspire. Thanks for sharing!

[@JohnDlugosz]

I have a kitchen appliance made for vacuum sealing bags. It includes a tube for use with bags that don't fit in the sealing iron, as well as reusable valve bags and jars. That should be intermediate in power between the hand pump and the Harbor Freight pump.

[@thanemakes5377]

Dave I love all your videos… but I thing this is one of the best! Great job

[@jjcrash50]

I wonder if the big zip lock bags you suck down with a vacuum cleaner would work. They're super cheap and compress pillows and blankets a bunch. Great video as always!

[@scottandsher]

Dear Make, another great and informative video. I really enjoy the channel and am a new listener to the podcast. 👍 You've helped reinspire my maker mentality. 🙏

[@JaredRandal]

Heavy and beautiful - thanks, man!

[@romaniego81]

Absolutly incredible! love it!

[@michaelross8794]

TRUTH: Of all the woodworking KZbin channels I follow, yours is defintiely in the top 5, partly due to your presentation style, partly due to your jokes (that are kinda my style too), and partly due to the types of project you do (some I do, some are just interesting and I'd like to do, but have no reason to do). Mind you, I'm primarily a woodturner so I have my top 5 woodturning channels that are separate from this list. BUT, you are top 5 (if not the top of the list) of the non-turning channels.

[@mwoody4560]

+ I love the haircut, we could be twins

[@robmckenty6082]

@michaelross9784 what are your top 5 turning channels? I would like to learn and I have absolutely no experience.

[@michaelross8794]

If you are just begining I'd recommend... 1) Go to your lcoal woodturning supply store and take one if not two classes. 2) Join your local woodturning club. The woodturning supply store will probably know and if they dont' the person teaching the class will. As for my 5 top wooturning KZbin channels, please note that they all are VERY good at teaching (some just demonstrating great form): ThePapa1947, "Turn A Wood Bowl", "RDM Woodturning", and "Carl Jacobson".

[@johnkrumpotick8659]

It's all new to me, nice job.

[@MCsCreations]

FANTASTIC work, Dave! The skates look amazing! 😃 Stay safe there with your family! 🖖😊

[@psargaco]

This video is awesome! Fantastic tips.

[@lonwhitmer7771]

Wow! I now need a vacuum bag system for my shop. Great video. Seeing such beautiful woodwork getting scratch up hurts. Have you thought of a epoxy finish for the bottom side of the skateboards? It's easy to repair. Thank for the fresh ideas.

[@sublimationman]

I don't even have a use for this but still really enjoyed the video. You are concise, to the point and entertaining all in one.

[@jayhitek]

These were incredible.

[@danthemakerman]

You put a ton of work into this video man, good luck on the sale!

[@terobb0]

I love Foam Factory. I’ve used them to get super high-quality foam for my cushions. They also have something called “pick and pull” foam, something like that, I used to organize my workbench drawers…not quite as nice as some of the other drawer organizing foam but the end result is similar and much cheaper.

[@JonathanRansom]

Good work, Mr. Picciuto.

[@eatdrinkwineguy]

So glad you posted this. I share a workshop and someone left one of those style pumps for level 2. I’ve been wanting to do something but wasn’t 100% sure how to do it. Now I know! Freaking sweet!

[@sapelesteve]

Great video David and those skateboards are amazing! 👍👍

[@thanatos454]

Use some bowed braces across your pieces with your f-clamps and you'll get more reach and more evenly applied pressure. The braces don't have to be literally "bowed" either. You can put cut a curve on one side and then make strategic relief cuts on the straight side to dial in the amount and location of pressure as needed.

[@jpalarchio]

Those boards came out great!

[@jasonhalvorsen1248]

Thank you for this video. Another maker I watch uses vacuum clamping and I've always just assumed it was a technique I would need to invest a bunch of money into, so I've just stayed away. Thanks for showing options with a cheaper threshold to entry.

[@TheBillPayingHobbyists]

Loved it. Thank you so much for sharing. Now I know how to make that table she wants.

[@dfu1685]

Very interesting stuff! Thank you for including the low budget methods also! That definitely makes the video more worth watching for the nonprofit woodworkers who just want to enjoy the art of wood working without the second mortgage 💸. Hahaha! Well done in all honest though!.

[@robsmits724]

I like the idea and will surely use it someday. Instead of going to Harbor Freight to spend 100 $ on a pump I would take an old fridge and take the compressor from it. One side gives off pressure alright, but the other side will suck. You'll be amazed at what it will do, and at 0 $ ... Secondly I would add a little ball valve to shut things off once you've reached sufficient vacuum.

[@m.o.f8720]

Exactly what I was thinking of commenting. Discarded window a/c's are another good source. Cheers

[@5280Woodworking]

Bro, that is so weird, I have a friend Joann that had a craft store too 😂! Cool vid, thanks for the great info and fun delivery.

[@fxm5715]

You can also get a vacuum regulator switch for $25 or so to controll your inexpensive vacuum pump, allowing for long term vacuum at a much lower price.

[@forby_]

those boards are beautiful!

[@johnconklin9039]

I recognize that walnut. Great info, always wanted to try veneering.

[@rbrown2925]

One thing not mentioned, I believe: glue working time. The longer the better especially if you’re dealing with multiple layers or you have to fuss trying to seal a homemade bag. I prefer Titebond III over II for that reason.

[@emilevoyer123]

THANKS FOR THE VIDEO

[@jus6681]

"Ceiling tape." "Sealing tape?" "I think we're on the same page here." 😜 All joking aside, the DIY vac bag is an incredible idea!

[@Tobsen660]

Clothingbags is imo the cheapest option. Buying a set usually comes with a handpump. I use the shopvac fir most of the air and then use the handpump. Those bags can be used multiple times and its not that messy. Great video!

[@gustavo0maciel]

My friend, you have no idea. Some years ago, I tried to find a cheap option for vacuum press veneering. It's not too common here in Brazil. I cant barely find a vacuum pump for a reasonable price. I've saw a similar option using this kind of pump, but I didnt have any idea how to find all parts, cause I'm not into wine. LOL. Thanks so much for sharing this. Sorry for my english.

[@pinballrobbie]

When using vacuum bags it is a good idea to use or make a gap filling glue, as vacuum bags cant reach the same sort of pressures as a hydraulic press etc. This is especially so when using Veneers.

[@wittworks]

Joanne has a future.

[@JFKreations]

I just changed out the plastic bag on my dust collector yesterday and watching this it just dawned on me, those plastic bags would probably work great for this DIY vacuum sealing. Wouldn’t have to mess with that sealing tape, and they’re fairly inexpensive

[@c.a.g.1977]

Those skate boards look awesome!!!

[@zednott]

have you ever heard of space bags? uses a shop vac. made for vacuum sealing clothing. but its a vacuum port one way valve. + a bag. if you need it bigger cut the ends and tape on more plastic.

[@acerjuglans383]

I bought my vacuum pump from Amazon, last year. It's similar to your 2nd version, but I made sure to get the oilless version. The one you have will spit an oil mist into the air as it's running. The reason I bought a pump to begin with was to use as a small vacuum generator on my Axiom cnc. So far, I've made 2 small platens, just as proof of concepts, and they work great. They're about 8"×12" each. They hold a piece of melamine like a monkey holding a banana--not letting go! My next version will be like the Air Weights version, 24" square.

[@tubetaz]

Wow!! Look at all the techie hardware... I'd be like a kid in a sweetshop if I had all that stuff. 🙂🙃🙂😜🤪

[@uptopmikep7065]

Another inexpensive option is to use an air compressor with a Venturi pump for vacuum bagging. Works great and it’s inexpensive.

[@CorbyQ]

I live right down the street from foam factory. we get all our mattress toppers made there.sweet

[@barriowoodworks]

My wife loves waking into your aunt’s store.

[@ifbridges]

Is there a separate video of the skate session with that beautiful board? I would totally watch that!

[@joefitzy]

Nice video. Im interested in seeing how you cut and joined the veneer decorations on the bottom of the deck. When I tried to do that with a utility knife my veneer was splitting.

[@jonathanrjacob]

Great video… the fact that you said Bacuum Vags only made it better! 😂 thanks for all you do

[@jeff1872t]

Man, this is the rundown on vacuum presses I needed. I might be employing this in guitar building.

[@philly7598]

Oh definitely! This video pretty much completed the puzzle in my head on how to get a cheap double top jig going!

[@knfraser4469]

Great video

[@carlosarthurpetry3674]

How about the vacuum bags from the dollar store? The ones for clothes. Also how would a shop vac do in place of the wine saver? Not enough suction perhaps?

[@garagemonkeysan]

Great video. Cool tool to have. Boards are Extra Fancy! Mahalo for sharing! : )

[@stonesj1519]

Nice catch

[@stuartsimmons956]

Awesome. I just made a piece and vacuum clamped using butyl tape, plastic sheet from home depot and a vacuum pump (I have a vacuum pump salvaged from a closed factory). I did it a little differently, by bagging to a table top and using pleats in the tape so the bag didn't bridge. The bags not reusable, but it's cheap as dirt so who cares. Wrapped a tube with butyl and ran it through the perimeter tape. I filmed the whole thing so I will probably post it somewhere soon.

[@muleface1066]

Another possibility, with a little modification, is a bicycle tire pump. It will get you a lot more pressure and volume (and therefore less work) than the wine pump.

[@kirstenbiegger7062]

Using a compressor from an old fridge works well too.

[@RobbertvanHaaften]

Wow those are amazing skateboards you made!

[@sween187]

Check out vacuum bags for clothes, might work too, with a little less faffing about.

[@crapple]

I was thinking about this too. They use a vacuum cleaner to suck the air out and come in all sizes.

[@cris11368]

You can also get mattress ones, way bigger.

[@lucasjhayden]

I have used the clothes vacuum bags with the included hand pump for a fiberglass layup and it worked great!

[@robbie6625]

As long as you can get multiple uses that would certainly work. But in my experience those are significantly more expensive

[@PJRayment]

You wouldn't have to worry about leaks. They hold the clothes for months without the need to repump them.

[@dandavis5832]

Great watch Dave, sk8 or die!

[@onhandart]

Thanks for the wine pump idea. I've been looking for a way to get into bent lamination art and this may be the way. Have you tried one of those air mattress pumps? You can reverse them to suckt he air out of the mattress.

[@mando6497]

When you went to Harbor Freight you for the vacuum pump you should have picked up some vacuum bags.

[@Backstabbio]

You can also scavenge a refrigerant compressor from an old water cooler or other appliance. These will pull a vacuum, and they are free if you go dumpster-diving or heavy-trash-pickup-surfing.

[@NilsEckelt]

first thought: Nah, I‘m good. Spotting the skate decks. Take my money!!

[@BenNawrath]

You could wire up a vacuum switch to the HF pump. Just like a pressure switch on a compressor. Then it'll run like the 1K version.

[@TetraProxy]

You can also use a fridge compressor as a vacuum for cheaper than the harbor freight one.

[@GoCreateSomething]

If your skateboards will be ridden the way he rides, they should have rails to keep the art from being damaged. Might be good to have truck guards as well. I like these designs. They remind me of the fabric art you would see at fabric stores in the 70's.

[@ICanCreateThat]

Ok, so...we have a FoodSaver machine with the hose attachment and the bags have one of those one way valves. They also have lids with the same one way valve that you can probably deconstruct as well. I'd be curious to see if that works with the same clear vinyl/sealing tape thing you did. We got our Deluxe model FoodSaver at Goodwill for like $20. It's great for saving our food, and probably this as well!

[@randallthomas5207]

Level II, could have used a “seal-a-meal” as the pump. The one I use was a five dollar purchase at the animal shelter thrift store.

[@carolday3381]

You know looking at the $100 pump, you in theory could put it on a digital timer that allows you to set it to run a half minute every 4 minutes, then you could walk away for 3 hours and have it run automatically constantly repressurizing the piece.

[@bobziroll]

FWIW, you also can go to an auto parts store like O'Reilly or Auto Zone and borrow a vacuum pump for free. In case you just need one sparingly and don't want to spend $100. Just have to return it within about 48 hours or so.

[@JasonDoege]

"My friend Joann" LOL

[@chadhanson3431]

What about a food saver system? Had bags and vacuum and the bags seal great.

[@cy8646]

When did the wood cladding come back? I'm glad it's back! 😆

[@woodchips2002]

I have watched your channel for years. I also have a Woodshop .at the end was that skate park in fremont.It looked like fremont Rec.

[@MakeSomething]

Yep, that was shot in Fremont!

[@MandisWorkshop]

Cool artistic skateboards. Did you visit MoMA recently and see the various skateboard triptychs? Nice work.

[@bradley3549]

A lot of people don't realize that the pink foam board comes in a lot of different hardnesses as well. A local home center likely stocks at least the 15psi and 25psi flavors, 25psi being much harder to dent. But they come in ratings all the way up to 100psi!

[@SeanReitmeyer]

Instead of sealing tape, try the cheapest bathroom caulk you can find, works a treat! Will also work for your seals. Back in the day when I was doing a lot of this, I would just use 1/4" poly tubing stuck into the bag with a small piece of paper towel wrapped around it as a filter to keep from sucking resin, again, sealed with caulk going into the bag.

[@carolday3381]

Couldnt you use a food saver device? Lots of 7s have them and the newer models seem to all come with the hose attachment for clothing storage bags etc. then its double duty for those who like to vac pack food as well.

[@markstevenson3880]

Sorry cuddles to burst your bubble (some-what). Try a vacuum storage bag (valve mainly) and a house/car vaccucm. Super glue / hot glue also works to seal plastic/vinyl.