Official Luthiers Forum!

Just thought I'd share my DIY vacuum "press" before I redo the tank.

The vid shows my "in progress" new bridge clamping jig with the LMI rubber sheeting - works SO much better than the "cheap out made do with what you have" previous version.

If you've never seen vacuum bridge clamping in action, this is pretty close - I do a mockup.

Sorry, still don't know how to embed the vid.
http://youtu.be/khDxdR9pYJg

Good one Aaron. Will have to try a clamp like that. Mine with the cord also leaks too much.

_________________
Allen R. McFarlen
Barron River Guitars & Ukuleles
Facebook
Cairns, Australia

Aaron, you have to delete the "s" from "https" in the address.
I have no Idea why, or how I learned it.

Thanks for sharing the vid!

Thanks David. Somehow, I knew that too, which is why the "s" is missing, but it still didn't go.

I'll try copying your syntax if/when I do this again.

Edit: I figured it out! I need to copy the address from the address bar, and not use the link from the "Share" button in YouTube.

It just dawned on me that if I use the "outside" frame in my jig as the "main" frame, I'll have more surface area of the rubber sheeting to seal. AND it'll be big enough for my Tiple bridges, which tends to be quite large.

Truth be told, I got the idea of NOT using a "foam seal" (I'm thinking this is what you mean by "cord") from Joe at Kanilea when I saw his vacuum press jigs - he does the same thing and just uses the rubber sheet straight against a UHMW platen, with a hole in the bottom, and grooves right up to about 1" before the edges (this is where the rubber sheet meets the UHMW to seal).

And here's the updated version, of both the vacuum press itself, as well as the bridge clamping jig/press:

Cool Aaron, thanks! Have you tried it with the black or clear material LMI also offers? (Or any of the clear material from Joe woodworker) I was thinking to get the clear kind so I can see the squeeze out better, but maybe that rubbery type grips better to allow the initial suction?

_________________
Pat

I initially cheaped out and used black rubber landscaping material (for ponds), which worked. The one in the vid works much better.

I'd get the clear material if I was making a jig similar to LMI with the foam seal, but to me, more chance of leaks. I actually made one and couldn't get it to seal. My error for sure, and if I spent the time, I could probably get it to work.