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I did an archive search for a vacuum frame pres for tops/backs but can't find a homade design; are there any out there?
Mike McNerney

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Mike McNerney

There's not much to it, it's just an airtight frame with a sheet of something airtight glued or screwed to the top, a fitting in the side to suck air out through, and a gasket on the bottom so it seals against your table. Results may vary depending on what you make your frame, gasket, and membrane out of. The best home-makeable systems use a neoprene or silicone rubber membrane and a neoprene closed-cell foam bottom gasket with a plastic or aluminum frame. You can make it work with a plywood frame, a piece of garbage bag, and a length of O-ring or weather-stripping (if you're handy enough...I don't recommend this route unless you have waaaay more time and skill than money )

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Bob Garrish
Former Canonized Purveyor of Fine CNC Luthier Services

One cheap and easy route with hardware store materials is to use a sheet of acrylic for one side and thin vinyl (like shower curtain material) for the membrane. You can make the seal with butyl roll caulking and it's re-usable for several glue-ups before you have to change the caulking.

You can get these almost 100% air tight so it's a great way to go if you are using a venturi or vacuum pump that you don't want to run continuously.

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http://www.chassonguitars.com

Here's some instructions on building your own:
http://www.joewoodworker.com/veneering/ ... -press.htm

you could also buy a vacuum bag system. Some of these even have manual pumps and one way valves so that you don't need an electric one.

Another source wood be QualityVak.com They have an aluminum luthier model for a little more than $300.

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http://www.PeakeGuitars.com