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Anyone built an LMI-style vacuum bridge clamp?
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Author:  L. Presnall [ Tue Nov 18, 2008 5:18 pm ]
Post subject:  Anyone built an LMI-style vacuum bridge clamp?
Just wondering if anyone here's built an LMI-style vacuum bridge clamp...I had one, but sold it in favor of the "bolts thru the E string holes" one...now I'm re-thinking some use of vacuum in the shop (other than sawdust removal!)...if building it is too much of a hassle as far as parts and time I suppose the $99 price tag isn't the end of the world...TIA.
Author:  stan thomison [ Tue Nov 18, 2008 6:32 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Anyone built an LMI-style vacuum bridge clamp?
Yes have one from Bob Garrish. I wouldn't use any other system for that process. I can do it so much faster than time takes to mess with clamps and cauls or however other ways to do it. For that matter, use vacuum for braces and wouldn't go back to bars or whatever for that process either. But hey, that is just me. Might contact Bob. His are very stout and have done a bunch of bridges on it. I use it to do the bridge plate also.
Author:  stan thomison [ Tue Nov 18, 2008 6:55 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Anyone built an LMI-style vacuum bridge clamp?
Sorry miss read. Yes I made one based off Bob's. Not easy to find or cut the acrylic though.

Don't mean to hijack thread, but on same thought. Does anyone know where to get a piece of corian about 24x24" I checked all the cabinet and bath shops around here, ebay and dealer. No one has any or the dealers only do large bulk orders. Need for large vacuum system. As found and told by Don Williams, can get leak even when base is sealed 3/4 solid oak. But if can't find corian, may try some thick sealed maple.
Author:  Ricardo [ Tue Nov 18, 2008 6:55 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Anyone built an LMI-style vacuum bridge clamp?
I got one from Bob. He did a special deal and price for 10 to 12 folks. Check with him, maybe he'll do it again.
Author:  Dave Fifield [ Tue Nov 18, 2008 7:27 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Anyone built an LMI-style vacuum bridge clamp?
Stan, go to Saw Mill Creek and PM Keith Outten who is an admin on the "Sign Design and Fabrication" forum there. He knows where to get Corian. Tell him I said "Hi!". If you need an acrylic base cutting, maybe I can help with my laser?

I use a vaccuum clamp for bridges. Works great. You have to be careful that the finish on the guitar top is fully cured before glueing the bridge on though - if it's not cured hard, the vaccuum clamp will mark the surface where the rubber edging touches it (DAMHIKT).

Cheers,
Dave F.
Author:  Bob Garrish [ Tue Nov 18, 2008 7:33 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Anyone built an LMI-style vacuum bridge clamp?
If you're making a frame then look for acrylic rather than corian, Stan. Corian is just acrylic resin and dust, and you're paying a lot for that dust content! If you want something to use as a base then polyethylene is cheaper than acrylic, but I can't speak on how it glues (I know HDPE and UHMWPE don't glue at all, really). ABS and PVC are also much cheaper than acrylic and work well as bases.

If you just want to seal a base then you can laminate a piece of plastic sheet onto a piece of wood for backing or just put a couple coats of polyester resin on the wood (you can buy polyester resin at boat building, resin, and composites suppliers)
Author:  L. Presnall [ Wed Nov 19, 2008 11:24 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Anyone built an LMI-style vacuum bridge clamp?
Bob, you have a PM! :)
Author:  Shane Neifer [ Thu Nov 20, 2008 7:14 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Anyone built an LMI-style vacuum bridge clamp?
Larry, I have used that jig a few times, so I can't offer it back! I also a couple that Bob that Bob made for me back when when we were designing vacuum things. His work every bit as well! I have a couple now. although I am not too keen on getting rid of any of them (I am a collector...) if Bob can't help you I will.

Shane
Author:  L. Presnall [ Thu Nov 20, 2008 9:03 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Anyone built an LMI-style vacuum bridge clamp?
Shane Neifer wrote:
Larry, I have used that jig a few times, so I can't offer it back! I also a couple that Bob that Bob made for me back when when we were designing vacuum things. His work every bit as well! I have a couple now. although I am not too keen on getting rid of any of them (I am a collector...) if Bob can't help you I will.

Shane



Glad I could help Shane! :D Actually, I just ordered the LMI one....again... [headinwall] But, the guitar'll pay for it...and some down the road! I am interested in building a brace fixture tho...it's time to try the vac route again!
Author:  Shane Neifer [ Thu Nov 20, 2008 10:44 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Anyone built an LMI-style vacuum bridge clamp?
Yup, I have few hundred dollars invested in fixtures for bracing with vacuum. But I think I am actually going to stick with my gobar deck as I am using HHG and that does not allow much time for placement. Besides, I like using go-bars for gluing on the top and back as well so I will have the deck anyway.

Shane
Author:  Bob Garrish [ Fri Nov 21, 2008 9:39 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Anyone built an LMI-style vacuum bridge clamp?
The jig on the bottom right of this page on Jim Olson's site is the way to go for positioning braces: http://olsonguitars.com/shop_backsTops2.html. It indexes off the ends, which'll let you slap 'em on fast enough to use vacuum -and- hide glue :)

The design, of course, doesn't need to be as complex as Jim's. All you really need is a backer board with some short blocks superglued to it to index the brace ends into.
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