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After building for over 45 years I've finally decided to try a double top guitar. I've never used a vacuum gluing system and I would really appreciate any advice about where to buy either components, a kit or a complete unit with vacuum bag. Any other advice about making nomex double tops would be very welcome. This will be used on a classic guitar.

You can find a lot of information on vacuum gluing with bags or a press at this site:
http://www.joewoodworker.com/veneering/welcome.htm

I used the info and DIY instructions there to build the vacuum press I use for braces.

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Once in a while you get shown the light in the strangest of places if you look at it right - Robert Hunter

+1 on joe woodworker. I've got one of the Venturi systems and use it for double tops, laminated sides, glueing braces, you name it!


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+1

I also built the Venturi system. It was pretty easy (a couple hours) and it works great. He also has instructions on the site for building a vacuum frame press. I've bought the stuff for that but haven't built it yet. It doesn't look too difficult. I think you really need the polyurethane membrane for the frame and it is a little expensive but, altogether, Joe's plans for DIY make the whole endeavor very affordable. They're very well thought out and have obviously been built multiple times and the bugs worked out.


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I finished my Project V2 Basic from JoeWoodworker just a few days ago. I'll post a video of its maiden voyage when I get home this evening.


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Thanks to everyone! That site is just what I was looking for.

I put a V2 together last week to be used and shared in a community workspace I belong to. We filmed it's maiden voyage. This link should take you directly to it: First time using the V2

I was just gluing some cork to a work holder for binding (ala Todd Stock), but hey, why not have some fun with the new toy.

It pulls 25" on our compressor. You'll see 15" on the dial in the video if you look closely. I realized quickly that the quick connect fitting was pulling the bag's stem connector open. After wiggling the hose around, everything was fine and it pulled 25".

One thing to keep your eye out for . . . There are two links to kit instructions on the V2 page. One takes you to current instructions, one takes you to outdated instructions. Guess which ones I used first? I couldn't figure out why my V2 was blowing air rather than pulling it. Follow the first link, not the second.

I used my V2 from Joe's for a double-top J45 of Lutz inner and outer with silk in the middle. At .100 you can stand on it. The silk really adds strength.


Bob

So just regular fabric silk? What an interesting idea, it allows you to keep the top thin unlike nomex. Fascinating!

Very cool. What glue did you use?

West System epoxy.

Bob