Clamping Plywood with a Vacuum Press (Veneer Press) and other Best Techniques

[@greggmarston9298]

As usual, another great video! Would love to see your shop someday!

[@MadebyWolfe]

If you are ever going to be in the Owego area, let me know. Until then, the shop tour video is the best I can do. Although it is better in person. Thanks for watching and commenting.

[@sumosprojects]

Now I’ve not seen this sort of press before but a mate of mine does a similar thing using this technique 🤠🍻👍👍👍

[@MadebyWolfe]

It really does add a great bit of versatility to the shop. I hope to have a video up soon about just the vacuum press and showing the bag options which don't take up so much room in a small shop. As always thanks for watching and commenting.

[@jamestaulbee4791]

showed. Tom, really enjoyed the video. I'm a new subscriber to your channel. So far, haven't tried centering but hope to in a project this summer.

[@MadebyWolfe]

James, thanks for subscribing. I think there was a typo in your comment. I assume you were talking about veneering (auto correct strikes again). I am hoping to have a video about the veneer press and basic veneering in the near future. Especially with a vacuum press, veneering is a very doable addition to most workshops that really does add a lot of versatility. Thanks for watching and thanks for commenting.

[@bobbray9666]

A vacuum veneer press does not create 1800 psi force. More like 12.5 psi. That 1800 number is per square foot. I've vacuum laminated two 4x8 sheets of bendable plywood on a seriously rigid arch for a rounded panel project and the press worked great. The psi of total pressure can be calculated by multiplying the vacuum (in Hg) and dividing by 2; then multiply this number by the total square inches of one platen. Therefore, if you are applying 23" of Hg to a platen that is 1' x 2', the calculation is as follows: (23 ÷ 2) x (12 x 24) = 3,312 total pounds of force. 3312/(12" x 24") = 11.5 psi.

[@farmcat3198]

Thanks. I'm gluing together 2 pieces of AC plywood. Can a vacuum press wrangle slightly warped pieces more straight during glue-up?

[@MadebyWolfe]

Yes. It does a good job at that providing that the platen is flat.

[@farmcat3198]

@@MadebyWolfe Does it provide side clamping pressure?

[@MadebyWolfe]

@@farmcat3198 The simple answer is no. Its main use is to glue larger "flat" material together. It does well with simple curved panels, and you could say that for panels that form a half circle that there is "sideway" pressure at the bottom of the of the curves, but it would not work well to glue boards together.

[@GrabouwAl]

Great video Tom, I assume the wooden frame and table is shop built, could you give us more details of how you made the press, size construction etc...

[@MadebyWolfe]

Hey Alan, thanks watching and commenting. Yes the vacuum press is shop built. I had info in the recorded footage for this video that included comments about the building of the press, but I took them out because they weren't complete and were lengthening the video. I told myself that I would do a separate video about the press at some point...maybe that point is in the next couple weeks. Thanks for the interest in the press, I will get more information on the press soon. Once a veneer press is in you workflow it will be hard to live without.

[@mattbowers5342]

@@MadebyWolfe I would definitely be interested in seeing that also!

[@MadebyWolfe]

I just published a video that discusses the making of the veneer press. kzbin.info/www/bejne/iaemoZijZsaVrbc.