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 I've wanted to adapt the vacuum press system for vacuum clamping for
quite some time. Of course it's not too difficult to hook the vacuum
line from the system directly to a clamping board but I wanted something easier to use. The biggest restriction from making
this adaptation a reality was the on/off control of the vacuum
to the clamping jig. I wanted to build something that could shut off
the vacuum without depleting the vacuum reservoirs and at the same time allow the work piece to release quickly from the clamping jig when the pressure was released.
Luckily, I stumbled upon an excellent source for an affordable 3-way pneumatic latching valve. They offered me a very good discount if I bought a decent amount of units so I agreed and this updated version of the clamping system is now available. It does not require any wiring or electricity and it goes together very easily.
How It Works
As mentioned previously, it wouldn't be too difficult to directly connect the vacuum press to a vacuum clamping jig. But there are two issues with taking that approach. The first is that the pressure in the vacuum reservoirs would be depleted when switching between the clamping boards. The other issue is the amount of strength it would take to remove the work piece from the jig while vacuum was applied.
By using a 3-way latching (tap on, tap off) foot valve, pressure can be applied to the clamping template and be instantly released as needed. This kit doesn't force the pump to run continuously. Instead, the pump only runs when the vacuum reservoirs need to be recharged.
Whether it's a simple hold down jig or a production run of vacuum template projects, you're going to get a kick out of using the power of vacuum to hold projects in place! |
Parts List
(A complete kit is available at VeneerSupplies.com)
Vacuum
Filter |
HDPE Panels
6" x 12" |
Latching
Foot Valve |
Brass Vacuum
Clamping Fitting |
Brass Barbed Tee
1/4 Barbs |
Vacuum
Sealing Tape |
Vacuum Jig Tube
1/4" ID |
Brass Barb Fitting
1/8" NPT to 1/4" Barb |
Pneumatics
Assembly
- Place two passes of thread-sealing tape on each of the male threads from the parts list shown above. Wrap the tape clockwise around the fitting.
- Remove the plastic plugs from the three ports on the foot valve.
- Using an Allen wrench, attach the brass hex plug to the B port on the foot valve.
- Attach the brass street elbow to port "A" on the foot valve. When it is tight, it should be facing toward the "B" port.
- Attach the 2" brass pipe to the street elbow from the previous step. Don't worry about tightening it much yet.
- Attach the filter to the brass pipe. The arrow on the top of the filter shows the correct direction of the vacuum flow. It should be pointing towards the street elbow. In order to screw the filter assembly onto the brass pipe, you will have to temporarily remove the plastic filter cover, to clear the tie-down tab at the bottom of the latching foot valve assembly. When the filter just becomes snug, continue tightening until the filter is parallel to the body of the foot valve as shown below.
- Attach the brass barbed elbow to the remaining port on the filter. When tight, it should be facing upwards.
- Attach the brass vacuum clamp fitting to the long brass street elbow.
- Attach the long brass street elbow to port "P" on the foot valve. When tight, the tank adapter should be facing upward.
The final assembly should appear as shown in the picture below.
Place your cursor over the picture to label each part.
Option #1: The
Basic Vacuum Jig
A jig/template
can be made from any ¾" thick non-porous material. I've
found that HDPE (high density polyethylene) works incredibly well. Here's
why:
- It can
be machined with woodworking tools easily.
- It's
non-porous and flat.
- It holds
vacuum sealing tape quite well, yet it also allows it to be removed without much fuss.
I've
tried cherry and maple lumber for the jigs but was unable to get it
to hold a vacuum unless it's given a thick coat of polyurethane. Plywood
doesn't work well either (unless it is Baltic birch).
For
vacuum clamping (vacuum hold-down) the jigs can be made in any size
needed. A clamping jig that is 6" x 12" is very useful. In
fact, two of these jigs will clamp almost anything you can think of.
I'll explain how in a moment.
 To
make the hold-down jig operational, you have to create a simple air
channeling system to direct the vacuum to the work-piece and
optionally, to your workbench. For ¾" thick jig material,
a 1/8"NPT brass barb fitting works perfectly because it's small
enough to prevent the edges of the jig from cracking. A 11/32"
drill bit will give you just about the right opening to thread in the
brass barb. Select which side of the jig is most convenient for the
vacuum tube connection and drill a hole ½" deep. Then use
a 3/16" diameter drill bit to make the same hole 2" deeper.
Be sure to plunge the bit in straight (this is critical). We'll call
this the air channel.
Now
carefully measure to the end of the air channel and drill from the face
side of the jig into the air channel. Do not drill all the way through
the jig yet! Here's why… If your workbench is porous, you'll need
to use a hand clamp to attach the jig to your workbench. A hole on the
back side of the jig will waste vacuum.
However,
if your work bench is smooth, flat and nonporous, you can drill the
hole all the way through the face of the jig. This way the jig will
pull down onto your bench and hold the work piece at the same time.
Attach
the 1/8" NPT brass barbed fitting to the hole on the side of the
clamping jig. Be sure to use adequate downward pressure. Remember that
you are threading the fitting into unthreaded material. Be certain that
you do not over-tighten the fittings and strip the plastic threads.
Apply
the Vacuum Sealing Tape
 On the face side of the jig, start by applying
the tape within a quarter inch of the edge. Butt up the next piece as
tight as possible and continue adding vacuum tape around the perimeter
of the jig. Cut the last piece 1/16" longer than needed and press
it tightly into the edge of the first piece of vacuum tape so you have
a nice, tight seal all the way around.
 The
jig is complete if you are manually clamping it to a porous workbench.
If you are letting the jig clamp itself to the bench, apply
the vacuum tape to both sides of the jig. This will allow the HDPE jig to clamp to the work bench and to your project piece.
For vacuum clamping, ordinary
closed-cell insulation tape will work fine. You can find this at most hardware stores. Look for tape that is at least 3/8"
wide and not more than ¼" thick. However, for vacuum templating
you need a vacuum tape that will hold the work piece solid against the
template without moving. Ordinary insulation tape will not work for this application.
A specialized vacuum tape is needed (one that will not allow shifting
or "creeping"). If the tape allows any shifting, the router
will grab the work-piece and gouge it.
I
tried 3 dozen different vacuum tapes and finally came across one from
a specialty manufacturer that works flawlessly. It's strong, durable,
and not too expensive. I'm
offering
it at VeneerSupplies.com
much cheaper than anyone else on the Internet. In fact, this same tape
is sold elsewhere for $40 per roll. I have no overhead or employees
to support (other my wife and myself) so I can offer the vacuum gasket tape for less.
Attach the Tubing
Attach one end of the blue vacuum tube to the barbed fitting on the HDPE jig. Then attach the other side to the barbed fitting on the vacuum filter. The tubing is soft so it will pull off the barbs without much fuss.
Why did I opt for the high flex tubing instead of the braided tubing on the main vacuum press system?
I used it because it is less expensive, more flexible, and the bright color has kept me from cutting through it with my router when I doing vacuum template routing. I can't tell you how many times I accidentally ran the router over clear vacuum line and ruined a work piece. I found that when there is a ton of saw dust on my bench, that the blue tube shows through better and I haven't cut it through since I made the switch. |
 Adapting
the Jig
As previously mentioned, an extra 6"x 12" jig will come in
handy for larger work pieces. You can make an additional jig and connect
it with vacuum tube to the main jig using a brass barbed "T" fitting as shown.
 If
your clamping project is smaller than the jig, simply move the vacuum
tape and make a smaller area of vacuum surface as shown.
Operation
To use the clamping system, attach the lock-on connector from the vacuum
press to the tank adapter fitting on the foot valve assembly and turn on the vacuum press system. The system will put vacuum in the reservoirs and cycle off. It won't cycle on again until the reservoirs need to be recharged.
When
the foot pedal is first depressed, it will lock in the "open" position and vacuum will flow from the reservoirs to the clamping
jig. To instantly release the pressure from the jig, press the foot pedal again. You may hear a slight rush of air from the breather
fitting (inside the foot valve) as the pressure from the jig is unloaded and the work piece
is released. It's just that simple.
Option #2: Podz™ Vacuum Jigs
 Podz are simple vacuum jigs designed to affordably clamp projects to your bench top. Using the power of your vacuum press and clamping system, the Podz 26-piece kit allows you to configure the clamping jigs any way you choose to clamp projects as small as 4" x 4" and as large as 5' x 4'.
With the Podz system, you can vacuum clamp work pieces to your bench top for routing, sanding, trimming, sawing, carving, dovetailing, staining, planing, scraping, and more. Each Podz clamping jig is made from high density polyethylene and is pre-drilled and pre-tapped. Assembly is quick and simple. Use one Podz jig for small work or link multiple Podz together for larger panels.
A set of four Mach valves is included with each Podz jig which allows you to pre-arrange each jig on your work bench (with the vacuum source operating). The valve minimize the loss of vacuum and keep the valves in place until you set your work piece onto the jigs.
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