JoeWoodworker
Veneer Supplies
The Official Website of this Non-Professional Woodworker ™

Part 1
Introduction

Welcome
Veneering Basics

14 Good Reasons
Vacuum Press Uses
Deciding on a Model
Overview

____________________
Part 2a (Option 1 of 2)
Project: V2 Venturi Press

About Project: V2
Parts List
Build the Manifold
Build the Reservoirs
Assemble the Venturi
Make the Carrier
Wire the Press
Testing and Adjusting
Mods and Options
____________________
Part 2b (Option 2 of 2)
Project: EVS Pump Press

About Project: EVS
Parts List
Pump Selection
Build the Manifold
Build the Sub-Manifold
Build the Reservoirs
Make the Carrier
Final Assembly
Wire the Press
Testing and Adjusting
Mods and Options
____________________
Part 3
Vacuum Bags

Vacuum Bag Basics
Polyurethane vs. Vinyl
DIY Vacuum Bags (A)
DIY Vacuum Bags (B)
DIY Vacuum Bags (C)
Connect the Bag
Bag Closures
Platens/Cauls
Breather Mesh
Maintenance
____________________
Part 4
Veneer Information

About Veneer
Backer Veneer

Veneer Glues
Veneering Tips
Substrate Materials
Flattening Veneers
Edgebanding Guide
A Sharp Veneer Saw
Jointing Veneers
Taping Veneers
Dealing with Defects
Curing Glued Panels
Veneering w/o Vacuum
Iron-On Veneering
Veneer Storage
Amazing Bookmatches
Copper Veneer Guide
Paperbacked Veneer

____________________

Part 5
Miscellaneous Info

Vacuum Forming
Vacuum Chucking
Vacuum Clamping
Vacuum Clamp Matrix
Vacuum Infusing
DIY Vacuum Manifold
JWW Visitors' Vacs
Veneer Quality
HH-66 MSDS
Veneering FAQ
The Vac FAQ
Downloads (PDF's)

VeneerSupplies.com

Information
Type: Adjustable Auto-Cycling
Vacuum: Electric Pump
Page: 2 of 11

Parts List: Hardware Store
The following parts are available at the hardware store. Home Depot and Lowes might save you a couple of bucks, but the sales are more appreciated at your local family-owned hardware store.

Qty
Item Description
Approximate Cost
Picture
1

8' Extension Cord
Cheap: standard two-wire extension cord
or
Expensive: three-wire grounded extension cord
Supplies electricity to the Mac valve and pump

$2.00
1
Light Switch
Controls the power to the system
$.39
1
Electrical Utility Box or "Handy Box"
Houses the switch and electrical connections

$.79
1
Switch Plate Cover
Covers the handy box and hides the wiring inside
$.39
2
Romex Connectors
Protects the wires entering into the utility box
$.29 ea
1
3/4" Plywood - 2' x 4'
Used to make a carrier for the system
$14.00
 
30"

4" Diameter Schedule 40 or 80 PVC Pipe
(solid core)

If you can not find schedule 40 or 80 pipe, contact your local plumbing supplier and ask for pipe that meets ASTM-D2241 or 1785 requirements.

Holds spare vacuum pressure and prevents the unit from switching on and off too frequently

Free?
4

4" PVC Schedule 40 Pipe Cap
Holds spare vacuum pressure and prevents the unit from switching on and off too frequently
Note: According to Uni-Bell, all PVC caps are solid and are suitable for vacuum pressure.

$7.00 ea
6"
1.5" Diameter Schedule 40 or 80 PVC Pipe
(solid core)
Holds temporary free air and allows the pump to achieve full RPM before vacuum pressure is directed to the main reservoirs
$2.00
 
2
1.5" PVC Schedule 40 or 80 Pipe Cap
$2.00 ea
 
1
PVC Cement
Permanently welds the PVC caps to the PVC pipe
$3.00
1
Electrical Solder
Makes a solid connection from the wire to the vacuum controller
$2.00
*
Wood Screws
8 of #8 x
" For construction of the carrier
2 of #8 x
½" Holds the utility box in place
$.30
3
Wire Nuts
3 of Red, Yellow, or Orange
Securely attaches electrical wires inside the utility box
$.99


Parts List: VeneerSupplies.com or Other Internet Sources
You can help to support this article and save time and money by purchasing the following parts through VeneerSupplies.com. A 29-piece builder's kit containing each of these components (not including the vacuum pump) is now available. This kit saves you nearly $40 off the regular website price and $95 off standard retail prices.

Qty
Item Description
Retail
Price
Veneer
Supplies.com
Price
Picture
1

Vacuum Pressure Controller
Monitors the vacuum pressure inside the system and cycles the system on and off as needed

$26.00-$115.00

1

Heavy Duty Glycerin Filled Vacuum Gauge
Measures the vacuum pressure inside the system and vacuum bag

$22.00
2
Screws:
#4 x 5/8"
Attaches vacuum controller to the carrier
$.90
1
Vacuum Valve: 1/4" NPT
Allows the system to pre-charge before connecting to a vacuum bag
$8.00
1
3-Way Mac Valve: 120VAC, 1/4" NPT
Controls the air flow in the sub-manifold and unloads pressure from the vacuum pump when the system cycles off

$29.00

1
Lock-On Vacuum Bag Connector
Connects the system to your vacuum bag
$15.00
1
Vacuum Filter: High Flow (or Low Loss) 1/4" NPT
Protects the vacuum pump from debris
$21.50
1
Hi-Flex Tubing (1/4" ID): 1 ft
Makes a soft connection between the vacuum controller and the manifold
$1.50
ea
1

Brass Check Valve: Female to Male, 1/4" NPT
Prevents vacuum from escaping into the sub-reservoir when the Mac valve is opened

$15.00

Click Here

1
Breather Fitting: 1/4" NPT
Prevents dirt and debris from getting inside the top port of the Mac valve when the system cycles off
$2.60
2
Brass Elbows: 1/4" NPT to 3/8" Barb
A odd fitting that makes it easy to connect the sub-manifold to the main manifold
$2.50 ea
1
Roll of Thread Sealing Tape
Makes the brass connections practically leak-proof
$1.00
2
Brass Branch Tee: 1/4" NPT
Connects the reservoirs to the rest of the manifold assembly
$4.00
ea
1
Brass Pipe Union (Hex Nipple): 1/4" NPT
Ataches the filter to the pump
$2.50
ea
1
Brass Barbed Fitting: 1/8" NPT-Female to 1/4" Barb
Connects vacuum line to vacuum controller
$1.50
1
Brass Cross: 1/4" NPT
The heart of the main manifold
$3.50
1
Brass Female Coupler: 1/4" NPT
An important part of the sub-manifold assembly
$2.25
2

Brass Fittings: 1/4" NPT to 3/8" Hose Barb

Connects the braided vacuum tube to the lock-on bag connector

$2.00 ea
1

Brass Fitting: 1/4" NPT to 1/4" Hose Barb
Connects the 1/4" black tubing from the vacuum controller to the manifold

$1.75
1

Brass Elbow: 1/4" NPT Male to Male
Another important part of the sub-manifold assembly

$2.50
1
Brass Tee - 1/4" NPT (all male)
An integral part of the sub-manifold
$2.95
2
Brass Pipe - 1/4" NPT (1.5" long)
Part of the manifold
$2.00
1
Braided Tubing: 3/8" I.D, 10 ft
Supplies pressure to the vacuum bag; also connects the sub-manifold to the main manifold
$6.00
2

Crimp-On Connectors: Red
3/16" wide for 16 to 22 gauge wire

Connects the wire to the terminals on the vacuum controller without soldering
$.79
1
Electric Vacuum Pump: 120VAC

Must be capable of pulling at least 21" of Hg. The two reliable names in vacuum pumps are Gast and Thomas.

The vacuum pump creates vacuum pressure... duh.

$50.00
to $500.00

Click Here


1
Vacuum Dampener: 1/8" NPT
(only used if the vacuum pump draws more than 4 CFM of air flow)
Minimizes pressure fluctuations against the vacuum controller
$12.00
1

Vacuum Controller Relay: 30 amp contacts with 120v relay coil
(only used if your pump draws more than 10 amps at startup)

The relay handles the high-current load of the pump and prevents the vacuum controller from burning up when use with larger vacuum pumps.

$21.00

The Vac FAQ
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