Official Luthiers Forum!
http://www.luthiersforum.com/forum/

Do You Like Your LMI Vacuum Work Holder?
http://www.luthiersforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=10101&t=48790		 Page 1 of 1
Author:  joe white [ Mon Jan 02, 2017 1:29 pm ]
Post subject:  Do You Like Your LMI Vacuum Work Holder?
For any of you that have the LMI work holder to hold the guitar body while you work, how well do you like it? I'm thinking of getting one but I wanted some real world experience. You can pm or email me if you'd rather not post.
Author:  rlrhett [ Mon Jan 02, 2017 6:24 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Do You Like Your LMI Vacuum Work Holder?
Just to add on, how well do they work with arched bodies (or do they?)


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Author:  Greg Maxwell [ Tue Jan 03, 2017 8:56 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Do You Like Your LMI Vacuum Work Holder?
After hearing rave reviews about the Festool Vacuum System and hearing poor reviews for the LMI vacuum holder (which has apparently been redesigned for the worse), I have sprung for the Festool. It costs more, but as the saying goes, you can cry when you buy it or you can cry every time you use it. The LMI unit seen in Robbie Obrien's videos is the older version.
Author:  joe white [ Tue Jan 03, 2017 9:30 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Do You Like Your LMI Vacuum Work Holder?
Many thanks Greg. [:Y:]
Author:  StevenWheeler [ Tue Jan 03, 2017 10:34 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Do You Like Your LMI Vacuum Work Holder?
Hey Joe,
Where you going with that paint gun in your hand?

Our pal John has one, give him a shout.

Happy New Year!

Steve
Author:  joe white [ Wed Jan 04, 2017 12:40 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Do You Like Your LMI Vacuum Work Holder?
Happy New Year Steven! I didn't know John had one, I will reach out to him. Thanks!
Author:  Hesh [ Wed Jan 04, 2017 12:51 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Do You Like Your LMI Vacuum Work Holder?
Who cares I just wanted to wish my bro Joe a very Happy Holidays! :)
Author:  Hesh [ Wed Jan 04, 2017 12:52 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Do You Like Your LMI Vacuum Work Holder?
StevenWheeler wrote:
Hey Joe,
Where you going with that paint gun in your hand?

Our pal John has one, give him a shout.

Happy New Year!

Steve


That's my favorite song - Happy Holidays Steven!!!!
Author:  dpetrzelka [ Wed Jan 04, 2017 1:11 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Do You Like Your LMI Vacuum Work Holder?
Have any of you put together your own vacuum clamp / workholder?
What vacuum source are you using?

I've been contemplating setting up for both a work holder, and for vacuum clamping bridges, etc.
Author:  saltytri [ Wed Jan 04, 2017 2:56 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Do You Like Your LMI Vacuum Work Holder?
Several years ago, I built a vacuum system based on the design and parts available here:

http://www.veneersupplies.com/pages/DIY ... Press.html

It worked the first time the switch was flipped and has been trouble free since. The optional foot switch is a must for convenience since it allows the instrument to be repositioned very quickly. The clamping fixture is easily made out of plastic and foam tape that is available from the same website and lives under the workbench unless in use, when it is held in the parrot vise:

Image

The fixture gets rotated in the vise to work on sides. I also use the system to hold instruments to a carriage that slides around on the bench top under the binding channel machine.
Author:  johnparchem [ Wed Jan 04, 2017 3:11 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Do You Like Your LMI Vacuum Work Holder?
I have used the LMI one quite a bit. I have had it mar a french polished finish, but it could have been me not waiting long enough (i waited a couple of days) for it to cure. My worst experience was tripping over the hose and pulling it out of the fixture. Luckily I have padded floors.
Author:  Pmaj7 [ Wed Jan 04, 2017 3:43 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Do You Like Your LMI Vacuum Work Holder?
Mine is basically the same as David. Did you radius the plastic?
saltytri wrote:
I also use the system to hold instruments to a carriage that slides around on the bench top under the binding channel machine.
I'd like to see that!
Author:  saltytri [ Wed Jan 04, 2017 5:14 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Do You Like Your LMI Vacuum Work Holder?
Yes, the edges were radiused with a rounding-over bit in a router.

I initially tried to use a larger area within the vacuum footprint but this didn't work out given the 15' radius of my backs. There was just too much convexity to allow the backs to seal to the tape all the way around. The partial clamping area provides plenty of grip. The blue thing is a piece of wood covered in blue tape that acts as a spacer to keep the otherwise unsupported end of the instrument from rocking. The feet are plastic furniture feet attached to long stems made from #10 machine screws. They can be threaded up or down to level the instrument then locked with a wing nut on the underside of each screw.

Image


Image


I make only ukes so everything I do is in miniature!
Author:  Pmaj7 [ Thu Jan 05, 2017 3:18 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Do You Like Your LMI Vacuum Work Holder?
Cool, thanks! I meant radius the dish to accommodate the back, but I guess the foam in enough.
Author:  joe white [ Sat Jan 07, 2017 11:06 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Do You Like Your LMI Vacuum Work Holder?
Okay, John R. likes his so it seems there is an even love/hate rating going so far.
Author:  Michaeldc [ Sun Jan 08, 2017 11:41 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Do You Like Your LMI Vacuum Work Holder?
I've got the old version of the lmii work holder and love it! I'm not sure I'd buy the new one though.

M
Author:  dberkowitz [ Mon Jan 16, 2017 6:37 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Do You Like Your LMI Vacuum Work Holder?
Joe, I have the old LMII holder. It works well, but I wouldn't use it for anything with finish on it. What I've found with the LMII clamp is that the gasket can shrink and then pull open while you're using it and dump the guitar. Ask me how I know. So my solution was to cut the gasket a little fat, dab a little silicone on the ends and let it set up and keep the ends together.
Author:  joe white [ Tue Jan 17, 2017 2:29 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Do You Like Your LMI Vacuum Work Holder?
Good info! Thanks David!
Author:  LanceK [ Wed Jan 18, 2017 3:49 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Do You Like Your LMI Vacuum Work Holder?
I didn't read all the previous posts, but I love mine. I have had it for 10 or 12 years so im not sure what version it is but it works awesome.
Author:  joe white [ Fri Jan 20, 2017 1:09 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Do You Like Your LMI Vacuum Work Holder?
Thanks Lance! It looks as though the majority of replies both public and the private ones as well have been positive.
Author:  Bob Garrish [ Fri Jan 20, 2017 6:37 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Do You Like Your LMI Vacuum Work Holder?
I think the new LMII one looks alright...it's a carbon copy of one I designed and built a few of for a group of builders in Australia around ten years ago. It's definitely designed for strength over grace. Not exactly my most innovative design ever - took an hour - so no foul.

I think DavidI has the right idea, though : if you want an industry-tough tool, then that's one thing, but for the most part you can make anything that uses vacuum out of cheap plastic, garbage bags, vinyl shower curtains, and weather-stripping. I will say it's worth getting good gasket material (the round stuff is by far the best and bigger is usually better) from a company like Allstar Adhesives, but all closed-cell neoprene foam round cord is pretty much the same stuff (comes in soft and hard, both work alright).
Author:  James Orr [ Fri Jan 20, 2017 6:58 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Do You Like Your LMI Vacuum Work Holder?
Bob, would you mind sharing your design? We have a machine shop in the maker space I belong to, and that could be a great project.
Page 1 of 1 All times are UTC - 5 hours
Powered by phpBB® Forum Software © phpBB Group
http://www.phpbb.com/