Official Luthiers Forum!

Got it all set up today. Big thanks to the guys over at Vacuum Laminating Tech.

This tool was far from inexpensive, but it works amazing. I made the base. Has a Corian top. It pulls great vac. Will hold it without constant vacuum. By far the nicest press I've ever used. By far better than any of the presses at McPherson or Bourgeois, although I'm sure it cost 10x as much as their shop made ones (and they worked fine too)

Love it!

_________________
John Mayes
http://www.mayesluthier.com

Cool. Is it made by Vacuum Laminating Tech? What's the membrane?

And what's up with that soundhole?

_________________
http://www.chassonguitars.com

I'm glad you asked first Kent, I couldn't figure out the soundhole thingy either. By the way John, love the press.

Greg

_________________
Gwaltney Guitars

Yup. It's a custom Size made by VLT here is their site:

http://www.vacuum-press.com/table.html

The membrane is .060 silicone ruber. Seems durable and yet really flexible. Did a handful of tests today and it clamps really well. Conformed to the shapes very well.

The soundhole is a special one I'm working on. The little hole inside will get covered over with a soundhole reinforcement. But there is a small disc inset into the rosette and it falls into the soundhole a bit. It will have a cool inlay by Craig Lavin when it's done.

Here is a test top I did of the same idea.

_________________
John Mayes
http://www.mayesluthier.com

Very nice!

_________________
http://www.chassonguitars.com

Very nice INDEED! Oh... And I like the press too. Much prettier than mine, for sure.
A couple of questions, if you don't mind... Do you use something to prevent glue buildup on the membrane? Or just wipe it down regularly? Does the top lift off? Or is it hinged?
I usually lay a doubled strip of paper towel along the workpiece to make sure the vacuum is evenly distributed. Do you think this is necessary?

It's hinged. You can see the hinges in the second photo. But a non-hinged on that is just set over the workpiece is great too.

I just got it set up yesterday so I've not had to think much about glue buildup, but if it is similar to my old shop made one it;s not an issue.

Not sure I follow the last question, but no I use nothing extra. The pressure is vastly more than enough and evenly spread.

_________________
John Mayes
http://www.mayesluthier.com

John, thats a great press.
You might want to consider breaking the edges on your work board however. It's possible for the sharp edges to punch a hole in the bag however, even really streachy silicone. I've done it.
So you might want to radius the corners or chamer and radius to ease the transitions of the bag. just food for thought.

_________________
Jim Watts
http://jameswattsguitars.com

Well for one thing it can take 400 degrees F.

_________________
Jim Watts
http://jameswattsguitars.com

Not a dumb question. And you'd have to define "better". To some it is no better because, in the end, the job can be completed by both means. I used a one of those bag systems for a couple years. The biggest advantage, to me at least, is ease of use and speed. I can get the job done faster, and with less hassle with this system (as well as the old shopmade one I built). For me, where this is my full time job, this is well worth the added one time expense. <Insert cliche adage about time and money here>

_________________
John Mayes
http://www.mayesluthier.com

I find it to be really, really difficult to slide a top or back into a bag without disturbing the bracing that's sitting on top of wet glue.

With the one John is showing, you just drop the lid.

Can you use that with hide glue John?

_________________
It's not what you don't know that hurts you, it's what you do know that's wrong.

I got used to it, but I normally taped the ends down. But it was always kind of awkward. And yes this method, at least to me, is vastly easier, faster, and less frustrating.

And yes Hide glue is no problem. That's what I use. Put the glue on. Throw the switch and in about 5-6 seconds the entire thing is clamped.

_________________
John Mayes
http://www.mayesluthier.com

I've got a dumb question, and I bet the answer is already available all over the net...............but

How long do you leave stuff clamped?

_________________
I didn't mean to say it, but I meant what I said.
http://www.brackettinstruments.com/

This would be an interesting Luthier de jour, I would love to see a video of the process of gluing braces with this type of press. If hide glue is not used, does the glue need to be extra tacky or a PSA? Don't the braces move when the vacuum is created? Is this used one brace at a time, or can you do a whole top all the braces at once?
Thanks for the pictures,
Rob

_________________
http://shastaguitar.com/
http://www.kalimbakit.com/
http://www.youtube.com/user/comfyfootgr ... ature=mhee
http://www.facebook.com/robert.renick.7

About 5 minutes then I pop the top, clean squeezeout, vacuum for another 10-15 minutes, then move along to the next brace. Glue dries faster in a vacuum.

_________________
John Mayes
http://www.mayesluthier.com

I've used PVA a lot and it's no different really. I just apply glue. Place the brace. Drop the top and then press down on the brace over the top of the membrane to hold it still while I flip the vac switch. Easy to do and no movement.

_________________
John Mayes
http://www.mayesluthier.com

John
I noticed that your kerf linings appear somewhat unusual, almost like an accordion. Yes? I was wondering if there is anything you can share regarding your kerfing.

Thanks
Dave Hurd

Dave,

I'd love to take credit, but it's Kevin Ryan's A4 Kerfing. SUPER easy to install, but really fragile too (really only an issue while notching for braces).

_________________
John Mayes
http://www.mayesluthier.com

Looks great John!
Love the rosette....

_________________
Peter M.
Cornerstone Guitars
http://www.cornerstoneukes.com

Is that a standard 1 cfm pump? Or a bigger one?

_________________
Pat