Do It Yourself Vacuum Forming For The Hobbyist Pdf Creator

The basic theory of vacuum forming is simple. You simply heat a piece of material to the point that it becomes pliable then immediately place it over a mold and suck the air out. After the material cools, which isn't long, you can remove the material from the mold. Despite their simplicity, vacuum form machines can cost several thousand dollars.

Big machines will cost $60,000 or more and large custom machines will cost more than Uncle Fred's house at the lake. A few years ago the creator of our plan sets made a wonderful little machine that employed a simple '2 Stage' vacuum system. Most other machines, including many small industrial machines use vacuum cleaner motors as the only source of vacuum. Some very expensive machines use large tanks to hold vacuum until it's needed. The little Hobby Vac used TWO sources of vacuum.

Vacuum Forming for Free by Eric. Pressure the vacuum can create. Just happened the shark vacuum can do this. For vacuum forming. Craft stores like Hobby Lobby.

The primary source of vacuum is your home or shop vacuum. This stage removes most of the air in the mold chamber.

This is what most machines will do anyway with their vacuum cleaner motor, but the Hobby Vac went one full step better. The Hobby Vac also used a secondary vacuum pump.

A vacuum pump creates high vacuum which is needed to pull fine details out of your mold. This approach really makes sense. If you were to use a vacuum cleaner motor alone you would never be able to reach the high vacuum needed to produce excellent detail. If you were to use a vacuum pump alone, you would need a very large tank or very expensive vacuum equipment to evacuate air out of the mold area.

With the two-stage system you use the best of both systems and save money by doing it. Save thousands by making your own vacuum former! Construction plans and parts are now available to build your own high performance vacuum forming machine.

One set of plans shows you how to build a machine with your choice of size: 2 x 2 foot (.6 x.6 meters) 2 x 3 foot (.6 x.9 meters) 2 x 4 foot (.6 x 1.2 meters) If you have researched vacuum form machines then you will know that machines of this size cost more than $7,000 -- if you can find one. This very clever design features a unique and effective two-stage system. Easily constructed in-shop with even limited fabrication experience. Excellent investment, as a used machine can be sold for several times its construction costs. Now you can get into medium format vacuum-forming for a fraction of the cost.

Perfect for model- makers, inventors, design studios, theaters, special effects companies, etc. The Proto-Form machine is excellent for prototype parts and packaging, display models, signs and even volume production of high quality parts.

The lowest cost for similar sized new machines is $5,000 to $10,000 and none of them can out perform the machine shown above. Now the alternative to those high priced machines is to build your own. The concept is very simple and the parts and materials don't cost much, so any business with fabrication capabilities can save a bundle. See the back for specifications and details. SMALL MEDIUM LARGE Plastic sheet size 24 x 24 inches 24 x 36 inches 24 x 48 inches Platen Size (usable area) 21 x 21 inches 21 x 33 inches 21 x 45 inches Depth of draw 12 inches 12 inches 12 inches Max. Plastic thickness 1/4 inch 1/4 inch 1/4 inch Max. Vacuum (inches of mercury with recommend pump) 25-28 25-28 25-28 Estimated material costs $900-1200 $1300-1700 $1500-2,000 Equivalent new machine cost $5000 + $7000 + $10,000 + Oven: Infrared design uses tubular type elements, these are the industry standard because of their low cost and reliability (1500-2000 hrs.) Plans also give sources for radiant panels and quartz elements that can be adapted to fit the oven box.

We sell oven packages that include the heating elements and contactors. Temperature Control: Two separate zones (center and outer), can be adjusted with simple controls available from any appliance repair store. Vacuum System: Plans show several choices to achieve up to 28 inches of vacuum. Standard pump and tank system (medium performance). Two stage system with no tank (better, cheaper), and a two stage hybrid system with tank a (best performance). Plans show how to use a small air compressor as vacuum pump.

Clamp Frame: Simple, rugged manual lift system is hard to beat, it's smooth, fast and provides plenty of leverage. Design allows for easy retrofit to air or electric actuators later, Plans show cost effective way to hold plastic sheet with spring-clips as well as other quick change options. Platen: Unique design uses all metal air tight sandwich construction over a wood base which is removable from the machine. Make as many different sized as you need. Construction Plans -- Here is what you get! Complete dimensioned drawings of each part, plus assembly drawings where needed. Drawings are separate from construction manual so you can send them to outside vendors if you choose not to make it all yourself.

Includes sources for a all parts, a Bill of Materials, photos, and diagrams throughout. Whenever purchased parts are used, sources are given along with complete specifications and advice on how to make substitutions.

Not only will you learn how, but you will also learn why it works, The sections on vacuum system and oven installations are filled with practical information on installing using and customizing these elements. Finally the section on operation will have you up and running fast, useful tips on troubleshooting, common problems, and advice on choosing the right plastics.

Product Description This 32-piece builder's kit includes the core components of the Project: EVS auto-cycling vacuum system. It's designed for woodworkers who already own an electric vacuum pump and wish to use it to build a vacuum press system that cycles on and off automatically.

The latest revision of the Project: EVS system operates more efficiently than previous versions thanks to a smaller sub-reservoir assembly and an improved manifold design which also makes the system easier to assemble. This new version can be built 30% faster and weighs considerably less. Some will need to be purchased at your local hardware store.

The kit instructions and parts list is not included with the kit itself. You must download the instructions (which includes the parts list) at the link below. Kit Instructions: or Vacuum Press FAQ: for compatibility information if you already have a vacuum pump. Features: • The EVS kit turns your vacuum pump into a full auto-cycling vacuum press for veneering. The adjustable vacuum controller powers your vacuum pump only when a vacuum drop is detected. The standard system is adjustable from 10.5' to 28' of Hg. An alternate vacuum controller for low vacuum applications is.

• Integrated Mac valve and sub-reservoir prevent motor burnout by releasing back-pressure on the pump when the desired vacuum level is achieved. • This kit saves you money. If you already have a vacuum pump, a complete vacuum press can be up and running for under $250. • Space-saving, do-it-yourself design and free assembly instuctions (available online) make it easy to get your press running quickly. • With the optional kit, the EVS system can be used to hold projects for sanding, routing, carving, and more. Kit Contents: • 1 Vacuum Controller • 1 Stainless Steel Vacuum Gauge • 1 Vacuum Valve: 1/4' NPT • 1 Mac Valve: 1/4' NPT • 1 Lock-On Vacuum Bag Connector • 1 Vacuum Filter (high flow) • 1 Hi-Flex Tubing (1/4' ID): 1 ft. • 1 Breather Fitting: 1/4' NPT • 2 Brass Elbows: 1/4' NPT to 3/8' Barb • 1 Roll of Thread Sealing Tape • 2 Brass Branch Tees: 1/4' NPT • 1 Brass Street Tee: 1/4' NPT • 2 Brass Hex Nipples: 1/4' NPT • 2 Brass Pipes: 1/4' NPT x 1.5'L • 1 Brass Pipe: 1/4' NPT x 2'L • 1 Brass Cross: 1/4' NPT • 2 Brass Fittings: 1/4' NPT to 3/8' Hose Barb • 1 Brass Fitting: 1/4' NPT to 1/4' Hose Barb • 1 Brass Street Elbow: 1/4' NPT Female to Male • 1 Brass Barb Fitting: 1/8' NPT-F to 1/4' Barb • 1 Braided Tubing: 3/8' I.D, 10 ft.

• 1 Brass Check Valve: Female to Male • 2 Screws (attaches vacuum controller to carrier) • 1 Braided Tubing: 3/8' I.D, 1 ft. • 2 Crimp-On Electrical Connectors for Vacuum Controller This kit does not include a or an. Optional Items Vacuum Damper Option: If your vacuum pump draws more than 4 CFM of air, you will need the vacuum damper to prevent the pump from chattering. Relay Option: This option adds a to the kit and is required if your vacuum pump draws more than 10 amps at startup. For more information, please see.

Electrical Option: The 240v AC option will replace the Mac valve only. The vacuum controller included with this kit will handle 120v AC and 240v AC. You will need to purchase a 240v AC vacuum pump from another source since we only offer 120v AC pumps.

*Please note that due to liability reasons we do not offer any support for 240v AC. I can not provide assistance, instructions, or diagrams for building a high voltage system. Please a certified electrician before purchasing and/or building a 240v system. Where can I find more questions and answers about this kit? The answers more than 80 common questions about this vacuum press kit. Will my pump work with this kit? Will a rotary vane vacuum pump work with the EVS kit?

Rotary vane vacuum pumps such as the Gast 1023 and 0523 vacuum pumps have been a nightmare for me. I have found them difficult to fine tune for vacuum pressing and they draw a tremendous amount of power when they start up.

There are much better choices in vacuum pumps than rotary vane. I am well aware that several other companies are using rotary vane pumps for their vacuum press systems. If you are using a rotary vane pump, you will at least need the relay and vacuum damper parts along with your EVS kit. I offer ZERO support for troubleshooting vacuum press systems built with rotary vane pumps. If you try to use this kit with a rotary vane pump, please know that I will not be able to help you troubleshoot problems. You waive your right to return this kit if you are using it with a rotary vane pump.

What does the optional vacuum damper do? The vacuum damper is a brass fitting that attaches to the vacuum controller to prevent it from sputtering on and off at the end of a charge cycle. It simply restricts the flow of vacuum to the vacuum controller sensor. It's a good idea to add the damper if your vacuum pump pulls more than 4 CFM.

Will a vacuum pump that requires oil work with the EVS kit? Oil-bath pumps (typically used for refrigerant systems) can be problematic. This type of pump has a tendency to emit a plume of oil mist into the air. For most users, this can be a huge issue that causes problems with the finish that is applied to the veneered project or any other unfinished project in the vicinity of the pump. Which vacuum controller comes with this kit?

We offer two versions of the vacuum controller when sold separately but the kit always comes with the 'type 1' version which is adjustable to 28' of Hg. Can I order this kit with the type 2 vacuum controller? The EVS kit can only be ordered with the type 1 vacuum controller. Why don't you include the kit instructions with the kit?

It would be too wasteful to print copies of the instructions. Most people have already printed a copy of the instructions before they order.

Something I highly recommend. • Fast shipping parts all there! Review by Gerald DeHoog Rating: Just received my kit and vacuum bag and mesh and other parts for my vacuum system.

My order was complete and very fast shipping! Joe's prices are great I can't buy brass fittings at my local big box store for his prices. And his shipping this time of year was fast. I'll send pics of my unit and comments when I have it completed. • Excellent Kit Review by Dennis Powell Rating: An excellent kit that has all you need (except the pump) to get a vacuum system up and running. I built mine for use with my lathe and it works great. Highly recommend this kit, and Joe keeps you informed right up to the minute on your order.

• Works Great Review by Mel Dahlberg - Mel's Woodworking Rating: I built the EVS pump from the plans and parts from Veneer Supplies. It works great and was an easy build from the detailed instructions. All the parts were included and came in a timely fashion. Review by Steven Paul Rating: I also bought the 32-part kit and the refurbished Thomas 3.15 cfm pump. It all came in 3 days, went together a little faster than the documentation suggested (no parts missing or left over). And it works!!

Using a crummy bag (purchased elsewhere) it had no problem laminating rosewood and padauk veneers to make classical guitar sides. Jut ordered a vacuum quick disconnect and a 48x48 bag. • Great Kit Review by Kerry Mahoney Rating: I put it together in an afternoon.

I matched it with the Thomas 3.15 CFM pump and it works very nicely. The kit was complete and the instructions (online pdf) were clear and detailed. After one quick test, I have used it several times without issue.

I'm using a 4'x4' poly bag and after the initial pull down it cycles about 4-5 times an hour for 2 minutes each. • Review from Detroit, MI Review by Steve Sawyer Rating: You can spend more money, and spend a lot more time chasing down quality parts to build your vacuum veneering setup, or you can rely on Joe to put this all together for you. All first-quality parts, and everything you need to turn your vacuum pump into a truly usable tool.

I can't recommend this product more highly, nor can I say more about the service. Great folks to do business with!! • Review from Morgantown, WV Review by Evan Jones Rating: I just ordered the kit as I am gearing up for a marquetry hobby. I had compared costs with other possible vendors (Lowe's, Amazon are my local and non-local choices) and the prices are equal to/better than those I could find. Knowing that I have the parts needed which will fit with the other parts as part of a kit has saved a ton of time and hassle! The detailed instructions for making the vacuum press will allow even me to succeed with this. I was very impressed with Joe before I even really considered a sale: he answered several questions in similar topic as well as an unrelated topic (vacuum table question).

He was very helpful and gave detailed responses. I have no doubt but that post-sales customer support will be excellent. • Review from Mililani, HI Review by Jens Jensen Rating: I was pleased to receive my order one day short of the predicted date. Everything was present and following the detailed instructions I had my vacuum clamp up and running in less than predicted time. Highly recommend purchasing from VeneerSupplies.com.

• Mesquite, Texas Review by Lee Armola Rating: Tired of using clamp and cauls and found this kit while searching for veneers. I had a Gast Vacuum pump acquired sometime in the past and thought Hmmm. The plans are great and the kit eliminates hunting for a lot of these fittings. Making a bag is next. Can't wait to use it on a project. • Review from Aamosa California Review by James Relyea Rating: I have found the information contained in this site to be invaluable to me.

I have done veneering for several projects in the past. I had wanted the convenience of a vacuum press and like most wanted to build the system. In the conversations that I have had with Joe he has brought several added thoughts to my learning and plans. I appreciate the timely responses and the depth o answers. • Review from Loveland Ohio Review by Paul Wimmert Rating: My friend and I decided to build a vacuum system to share. The kit and pump arrived promptly and we assembled it in a few hours.

I have to compliment Joe on the quality of the instructions. In a former life, I was a Quality Assurance Leader responsible for developing Standard Operating Procedures to be followed by thousands of employees. Joe's SOPs would have met my standard. We had a laugh when I drilled all of the end caps even though there was a bold warning not to. Idiot-proof instructions just create determined idiots! • Review from Leuven, Belgium Review by Hilko Guitars Rating: Ordered this kit and after two days it was at my doorstep. I'm living in Belgium-Europe!

Super fast shipping and replying from Joe! Still have to assemble the kit (waiting for the vacuum pump to arrive) but I'm sure it will be a prevalent tool for my workshop. ***** for service! Windows Movie Maker Windows 7 Download Gratis Nederlands. Thanks for making vacuum woodworking affordable!

• Review from Milton, MA Review by Dan Strout Rating: The EVS auto-cycling vacuum press kit is fantastic! It arrived on-time, was well-packaged, and nothing was missing. Joe was super helpful (and quick) to respond to my e-mail questions.(on New Year's Eve no less!).

The instructions were easy-to-follow and well-illustrated. And most importantly, the product works great! • Review from Riverside, Califronia Review by Ivan Yasuda Rating: If you are building the EVS Auto-Cycling vacuum press this is the kit to purchase. It has almost all the small parts required to build the system. I couldn't imagine hunting around hardware stores for all these parts. It is a great value and time saver.

• Review from Wilmington, Il Review by Nicholas Santorineos Rating: The kit is excellent. My pump only turns on for the initial pull. It never loses enough vacuum in an hour to require cycling. I should have punched this years ago. I will never go back to clamps and cauls. • Review from Gastonia, NC Review by Curtis Johnson Rating: This kit contained everything needed and arrived quickly.

The instructions were easy to follow and very clear. I'm an absolute beginner of vacuum pressing but managed to get everything put together, adjusted, and working in an afternoon. • Review from Tupelo, MS Review by Adam Stewart Rating: I would definitely consider myself to be a beginner with little to no knowledge in the skills needed for this project. The products arrived quickly and very well packaged. I was able to follow the instructions very easily with only minor hiccups that were my errors and easily corrected. I appreciate Joe and his team for providing resources like this and will definitely be back for more products in the future! • Review from Madison, WI Review by Alan Kalker Rating: The kit arrived quickly, contains parts of outstanding quality and comes with easy to follow instructions.

When I had a question Joe answered it almost immediately. If there were a rating better than 5 stars called over-the-top service I'd give it. • Review from Escanaba, MI Review by Bob Rosenfeldt Rating: I love that this kit is so complete. I looked at doing things a little different and getting individual parts and soon realized the kit had everything for a great design. It couldn't have gotten here any faster if I had gone to pick it up. • Review from Los Osos, California Review by Dennis Schloss Rating: I am writing about the EVS hardware kit, but my opinions apply equally to the Veneering Essentials kit in that the contents are so thoughtfully chosen and instructions so thorough as to add additional value to the parts themselves. Without all the work that went into creating these kits, I would never have been able to participate in vacuum veneering.

All the individual pieces are first class material and a pleasure to use. • Review from Portland, OR Review by Jesse Felling Rating: I've been considering a vacuum press for a while. So, when I had a compressor start to fall apart on me and had trouble locating replacement fittings, I purchased a new compressor and decided to repurpose the compressor motor and tank as a vacuum press. This kit has all the parts you need kids. Instructions for constructing the kit are on the joewoodworker.com website. Of course, using the compressor tank required some modifications to those plans, but some puzzling over the photos with helpfully labeled parts got me there easily enough.

• Review from Hendersonville, NC Review by Tim Johnson Rating: Haven't started building yet but order arrived very promptly as all my orders from Joe have. Everything was included and packed well.

This kit is a great value as opposed to buying parts separately. Can't wait to get started using the excellent plans and resources on this site. • Review from Menifee, California Review by Joe Hardell Rating: Just built the vacuum press with the vacuum clamping option and could not be happier! Super service, fast delivery, and well thought out instructions that we very easy to follow.It was a pleasure to build this project and I highly recommend this site. Thanks so much Joe for the fast delivery and a great product. • Review from Overland Park, KS Review by Mark Lawrence Rating: I ordered the EVS kit and a rebuilt Thomas vacuum pump from Joe. The order was handled professionally and shipped right away.

I received the order faster than expected. It was packaged well and everything arrived undamaged. The kit was easy to assemble and only took a few hours to complete. I cheated though and had the PVC Tanks, the carrier, and wiring ready to go before my order arrived. The system works better than expected and I have no doubt it will last a very long time. I would definitely recommend purchasing a vacuum system from Joe. • Review from Athens, AL Review by Joe Gassen Rating: Quality components at a price less than half of the big box stores (many items are specialty and not available at the big-boxes).

Instructions are well planned and easily adapted to items you might have on hand. I used a propane bottle for main reservoir. Don't skimp and try to do without mac valve (for unloading the pump) or other items in system. Joe has a well designed web site with abundant veneer instructions, and that alone is worth more than the price of this kit. Support this customer friendly web-store so they will continue to offer free in-depth knowledge.

I buy a majority of my woodworking supplies online. This is by far the best site for service. • Review from Rochester Hills, Michigan Review by Ed Rosenquist (Norse Audio Technologies) Rating: I have to thank you for all the help getting my vacuum pump together. I usually have a very hard time with anything that uses electricity. I always mess something up! I can't believe that after I wired something, it actually worked.

I used a couple different ideas from some other builds on your website. She chugs along to 21' of vacuum, then shuts off until it drops to 17'. My system appears to be so tight that I had to open the ball valve to get the system to drop back to 17' to make sure she'd start back up again to get vacuum back to 21'. And is this thing quiet! I thought it'd be almost as loud as my air compressor.

It isn't even close. I can't wait to try this thing on Formica and veneer! I couldn't have done this without your instructions. And if I can put this together and have it work on the first try.then anyone, and I do mean ANYONE, could build this! Thanks again, Joe. You have a world class business going!

I hope that you continue to help as many in this hobby as you can! • Review from Pawtucket, Rhode Island Review by James Joyce Rating: I purchased the Thomas Vacuum pump and vacuum press kit. Downloaded the EVS project plans.

All of the supplies arrived and in a couple of hours I was up and running. The directions were easy to follow, parts were quality. It simplified the clamping on my CNC and it didn't take long before it made its way over to the lathe.

• Review from Chelsea, Michigan Review by Robert C. Jackson Rating: I wanted a vacuum veneer system but didn't want to spend $1400 cost for the quality commercial systems. I found this site, examined the plans, and ordered the kit. I modified the design to accommodate materials that I had on hand, such as 6 in.

The build was very straight forward. I decided to use 3/8 inch to 1/4 inch brass bushings epoxied into the PVC reservoir end caps instead of tapping the caps. (3/8 NPT tap cost: $12.00) Purely for appearance purposes I used a Radio Shack 15A/120v rocker switch for on/off control.

The wiring scheme was very simple and easy to follow. I had a small leak in a reservoir end cap at initial start up that silicone bath tub sealant easily resolved. After that, the system held 21 in. Of vacuum for 24 hours. When complete, including the pump, bag and mesh, and shipping, I spent about $750 total, or roughly half of what a quality commercial system costs. If you are viewing these plans and have reservations as to ease of construction or quality, my advice is to forget them and order the kit.

You won't be sorry! • Review from Littleton Colorado Review by Kim Adcock Rating: Excellent kit and pellucid instructions.

Went straight through the assembly process with no problems. • A Very Happy Customer Review by Marc Baril Rating: You could source out all of these parts yourself. Or just let somebody else figure out all of the needed pieces for less money and effort.

I built this kit approx. 1 year ago and it works very well. I have the 2'x9' polyurethane bag and the system very rarely cycles after the first pump down. The pump comes on for a minute or two every couple hours; fantastic! The vacuum switch can be a bit touchy (does not turn off when vacuum is reached) - fortunately, this is 'correct' direction for a failure (failing to turn on when the low pressure threshold is reached would be much more of a problem!). I've had this happen twice over several pump downs, and this happens regularly with dad's setup (also built from the same kit). Usually tapping the switch is sufficient to trip it when it gets 'stuck' closed.

[Note from Joe: This 'failure' occurs only when the user has a pump that draws more than 10 amps at start-up. This is why I suggest using the vacuum controller relay with larger pumps.] A very happy customer. One thing though, I don't really like the vacuum hookup connector to the bag. This is a minor complaint because the connector is perfectly serviceable, it is just rather touchy in ensuring a good seal unless the tubing is propped up so that vacuum connection is not broken. This is the only reason I docked a star in this review (otherwise no one would pay attention, right?) [Note from Joe: This user simply needs to press down on the lock-on connector before releasing the spring clip. It's a shame that this user docked a star for this.

There are thousands of EVS systems being used worldwide and I've had zero complaints. I could find no one in my system with this reviewer's name. If this user would have contacted me first, I could have explained the remedy to him and we could have kept the perfect 5 star rating that this system has maintained for so many years.] • Worked Perfectly the First Time Review by Rick M Rating: It was really nice to have the entire kit in one box, eliminated that one piece that we always seem to forget then have to wait 2 weeks for it.

Great job Joe, everything you need hardware-wise for the cycling pump. • You won't be disappointed Review by Brad M Rating: I was very happy with Joe's timely response to all my questions. This is a very nice kit and saves me the trouble of having to run back and forth to town to acquire the right stuff. Parts were packaged well and shipped quickly. Thanks Joe • Quality Product and Works as Described Review by Lew N. Rating: Learned about this from a woodworking magazine. Read all Joe had written and ordered the kit.

Contemplated getting an already built system but liked the 'feel' of this product and liked the idea of building it myself for fun and education. It's a quality product and works as described. I should have read about how a lot of others built their systems for some neat ideas about other configurations. Actually, I like Joe's the best for my situation. • Very happy with the quality of the kit.

Review by Peter M Rating: I am a (mature!) student at Palomar College, doing woodworking night classes - this semester is veneering 101. The instructor mentioned www.Joewoodworker.com as a good and reputable potential supplier of veneer equipment. I liked the site, and decided to go for it. The downloadable instructions are very well written, and easy to follow - but you HAVE to follow them! It probably took 8 hours total to build, without rushing too much. Started it up for the first time last night with a Gast 82R 4cfm pump - no leaks!!

It dialed right in to 21-22 in.Hg. Easily, and I am good to go!

Tips: In my area, Lowes stock the schedule 40 pipe caps for 4' and 1.5' pipe (HD did not stock 4'). I had trouble finding the 4' schedule 40 or 80 pipe in lengths of less than 20 foot - fortunately a friend had a 4 foot length of schedule 80 lying around which he gave me for free (check it out first and maybe buy from Joe if you cant find it. A 20 foot length is about $80, and what you going to do with the other 16 feet!) Minor cosmetic tip - don't use purple PVC primer for the pipe glue up - get clear stuff if you can (take it from me, the purple drips don't look so hot on the nice white pipe.!) Very happy with the quality of the kit, the prompt shipping and good customer service. No hesitation to recommend this kit. • The Woodlands, TX Review by David W. Rating: I have been woodworking for several years as a hobby but I have never worked with veneer.

Thanks to the great information available on VeneerSupplies.com, I decided to expand my skills to include veneers and I ordered the EVS Auto Cycling kit. My order arrived quickly and completely and the assembly instructions Joe has posted online is very clear and simple to follow. Purchasing the kit from Joe makes it very convenient as compared to purchasing each component separately and the kit is competitively priced. I would not hesitate to recommend VeneerSupplies.com to others looking for supplies or an economical option for a vacuum press. • Fantastic Review by Gord M Rating: Wonderful company to deal with first of all. I had an existing vacuum system, though it was missing some key components. These components were hard to come by at one supplier alone and would have been annoying to say the least to order from different places.

VeneerSupplies.com made all the parts available to me out of one kit, and they work like a charm. Instructions and trouble shooting are also a bonus available on the website. Highly recommend ordering from Joe. Thank You • My System Works Great!

Review by Dean Schopp Rating: I am an experienced woodworker but I had never done any veneer work. I had a Richie Yellow Jacket vacuum pump from air conditioning work and a old pancake air tank. I looked at the kit for building my own system and the directions where so detailed and easy to understand I figured this was a simple task.

I ordered the EVS kit and a 4x4 bag. It arrived in a couple of days and everything was included and in excellent condition. Since I was using a pump and reservoir that was not in the plan I did have to get a couple of brass fittings to fit everything together but that was no problem. They were standard type parts available at any hardware store. My system is 220 volts but less than 10 amps even with my 6 cfm pump so I just followed the instructions for the less than 10 amp electrical system.

I did order the 220 volt MAC valve. Just read thru the directions and take note of the details.

These directions are excellent and easy to understand. You can not go wrong.

My system works great. It pulls a 25' vacuum in about 40 seconds on a 4x4 bag. It only cycles about once in two hours. It took me one afternoon to build the system. The service and products from VeneerSupplies.com are great and I will be dong business with them for all my veneering needs.

They have great products at good prices and the service is sincere and honest. • I would do again without hesitation. Review by BB Rating: Purchased the EVS kit with the Thomas pump, 4x6 polyurethane bag, and mesh shipped for around $550. I had the kit almost completely assembled within 2 hours of opening the box. The longest thing to build was the plywood carrier, and that's only because you have to wait for glue to dry. Very easy to build, and works great.

Clear instructions and fast answers from Joe made this a quick project and you end up with a highly effective tool. I would do again without hesitation. • Excellent kit; Wonderfully clear and complete instructions Review by Michael Obrecht Rating: Title says it all; The kit, the smaller Gast pump, one trip to the hardware store (spent about $60.00 there) and a couple of days work following the assembly instructions and I'm good to go! I know wood, not so much mechanical or electrical; but I did what it said, flipped the switch and I'm good to go! • I built an EVS press using Joe's parts and instructions and couldn't be happer with the results!

Review by Jim McFarland Rating: I purchased the EVS parts kit and a Gast pump from Joe and built the system using the excellent instructions provided by Joe. I couldn't be happier with the result. Joe quickly answered the few questions I had regarding construction (his instructions are spot-on!)and he has offered great advice re veneering.

He has a great selection of veneers and supplies -- I've never had a reason to look anywhere else for anything veneering related! • Even I could make a vacuum press with this kit Review by Sheri P. Rating: I am pretty handy with wood and woodworking tools, but this kind of stuff is completely foreign to me. Nevertheless I really wanted to explore veneering and after lots of research, I chose this kit. With the added pump and the directions on this site I built my vacuum press in about half a day and couldn't be happier. It's really expanded my woodworking and I am sooooooo happy I took the plunge. Everything you need (except the pump) is included so there's no excuse to wait any longer.

You know you want to.... • Always Wanted to Do It - Didn't Know Who To Ask Review by Ed M. Rating: I've wanted to try out vacuum press veneering and curved lamination for many years. I've done a good deal of curved lamination as a component of architectural woodworking projects and saw that a vacuum press could make this operation go more smoothly and result in higher quality work. Joe's efforts have hit a home run for me.

The product and the instructions are of the highest quality. I've always enjoyed making tools and this one was fun to make, a joy to use, and has become one of my favorite tools. And there's also some magic involved. Seeing that press pull down a stack of bending ply and veneer into an 8 inch radius curve is still a thrill. It's also worth mentioning that, in my experience, this company is a perfect example of everything an Internet business should be.

Good product design and support, great value, excellent service after the sale, quick shipping, and good people to deal with. • Perfect for jumping into veneering Review by Travis Feight Rating: This kit is great. I looked at veneer presses for 2 years before I actually decided to buy this kit. The instructions are great and it was an easy build. I love my press and it has exponentially increased the capabilities of my shop. I would highly recommend this for anyone that is interested in veneering.

• You can spend more, but you will be hard pressed to find a better product! Young: FY Woodwerks, Inc.

Rating: For bagged veneering this product is as good as any. I found, to do a great job assembling, you might spend more time than is stated in the instructions but it is time well spent. You will have a good understanding about the process in how the system works.

The building process is fun and your main goal is no leaks, not hard to do just take your time. Joe has put together the best components for his system.

I have zero leaks except for the actual connection to the bag but that is mainly a hose support issue, put a block of wood under the hose as it connects to the bag and allow it to interface vertically or you could change out the connection to a lockable, bicycle pump type or screw type; you may find, like me, your pump might cycle only once and hold pressure throughout the curing process. The value-to-performance of this system can't be beat.

Everything Joe states is true and accurate, if you are wanting to get into vac pressing or upgrade to a non-compressor system this is the wisest move, buying a pre-packaged system would be financially foolish. The most difficult part of the entire process is obtaining the 4' PVC pipe without buying enough to build 10 pumps at a cost that defeats the entire process.I got a small section from a golf course, they typically have scraps in a variety of diameters. If that is not an option, just buy the pipe from Joe.that is the easiest way and most reasonable. I found end caps cheapest at the big box home improvement centers but Joe may sell those also and probably at a competitive price. • Great design, Great instructions, Great parts Review by Linda S.

Rating: This review covers all the parts (including the Gast pump) sold to make the EVS. Not just this parts kit. After a lot of internet searching I decided to build my own vacuum pump setup and couldn't be happier. Imagequant Tl Iqtl Software Ge Healthcare Tip. I was so thrilled at the thought of customizing my own setup that I got the miscellaneous parts I could not get from Joe and had them on hand when my order was delivered. I built the project the day the parts arrived and could not be happier with the outcome. The design is very functional and the instructions for putting it together were detailed and easy to follow.

All the parts provided are to a very high quality standard and perform as described. I appreciated being able to get them all in one place as opposed to hunting around to find everything. Sure, as Joe says on his website,you can probably buy the parts for a bit less money if you go around searching for them but I'm certain that in the end this was the cheapest and best way to do it when you consider fuel costs and the time it takes to find suppliers for everything. Given the quality of the finished product I doubt I will need to build another one in my lifetime (I hope to have another 40 years of woodworking left in me.) but would not hesitate to recommend this option to anyone looking to get into veneering.

• Will Not Disappoint Review by Geoff W Rating: Like other who have reviewed this product I could not be more happy. Being an international buyer I found the deliver time and cost excellent as was the quality of the product. Instructions supplied are concise and the job went together smoothly and worked first time - amazing! • Even easy for a beginner like myself! Review by Brandon Hatch Rating: This is the first time I have ever attempted anything like this.

I am a guy that really has not built much of anything besides a few decks through the years. Its very easy to put together and works like a champ. I bought the Gast 5.5 cfm pump that is for sale here as well. Everything went exactly as the directions said they would.

I bought mine for vacuum bagging fiberglass parts for my boat restoration project. If I can do this, anyone can! After using it for awhile it seems the possibilities are endless. I really like the fact that I can could change it up easily if I chose to.

Like adding to the manifold or easily switching out the hose after use. Two thumbs up from me! A Great System! Review by Wayne H. Nesbit Rating: My system is up and running.

It took me about 2 to 3 hours to put it together and it fired up on the first try. This system is so amazing. I can't believe I havent done this sooner.

The directions are very easy to follow and the parts in the kit are all high quality. I dont think you could buy or build a better system than this. • Great kit and instructions! Review by Joel Watson - J Watson Woodworking Rating: Just a brief note about the EVS style vacuum pump I've built using the directions and parts you supply, with modifications and ideas I gathered from other users builds.

The build was very straight-forward. Your directions were so detailed and clear, and the build so smooth, that I hesitated before turning the pump on to test it. To my delight, it worked right out of the gate, drawing 21 inches on its 3-gallon tank in about a minute. I can't thank you enough for providing a wealth of information on joewoodworker.com. It was key in my decision to try building my own system, and I couldn't have built my pump without it! • It was fun, and it works! Review by Ivan Moses Rating: My press kit arrived 3 days after I ordered it.

It took me about 5 hrs to assemble it, which is longer than it would have taken had I not chosen to modify the design to fit into a wooden tool box I had laying around. The instructions are straight forward and answered all my questions before I had a chance to ask them. After I had the press assembled I tested it and found that I did have a leak. I applied a small amount of silicon sealant around a couple of hose connections with the pump running. I felt the pump pull the sealant into the connection and POOF! No more leak.

The press kit looks intimidating to build, but it really is quite simple. • Deal-o just works Review by John Foote Rating: Best set of instructions I've ever seen for anything.

What is, in fact, a rather complicated assembly goes together fast, and works exactly as described. It's just a superb integration of all the requisite component pieces, in their simplest, cheapest iteration. Nothing more than necessary, nothing less. Review by Matt Kula Rating: I have a small CNC machine that I use to make circuit boards; unfortunately, it is without a means for which to adequately hold a work piece. Tried various methods without much success. So, I have been studying and searching the Internet for various forms of vacuum tables for CNC machines; and have learned that they tend to be on the expensive side (at least for my budget).

I found various systems/pumps for, again 'not-my-budget', and was teetering on buying a refrigerator compressor, vacuum advance, glass syringe among other things and was cringing at the thought of trying to control the 'oil mist' output when I happened upon this website. After reading most of the reviews and seeing what some others have done I knew I was on to something good. Further research revealed that this kit is a good deal, so I ordered one. I was pleasantly surprised to experience that the system does indeed go together in a day and after assembly/testing all I can add to the reviews is '.yea, what they said.' • This is a Good Deal - Buy One!! Review by Matthew Kula Rating: After reading most of the reviews and seeing what some others have done I knew I was on to something good. Further research revealed that this kit is a good deal, so I ordered one - adding yet another project to 'the list'.

I was pleasantly surprised to experience that the system does indeed go together in a day; and after assembly/testing all I can add to the reviews is '.yea, what they said.' Anyone will be hard pressed to find a better deal delivered to the front door.

• A Superb Vacuum Press Review by Tom Hertz Rating: I cant add much more to what the other reviewers have written. They are all correct. This is a great vacuum press system. My kit arrived within a few days and took less than 3 hours to build.

It runs like a champ and Joe's support is just incredible. • Works Perfectly Review by Greg Getzoff Rating: I just completed my EVS system and it works perfectly, however, don't do what I did, instead buy Joe's 'Builder Kit' Here's why: you will spend more money and most importantly, more time trying to find all of the fittings at local plumbing supply shops and hardware stores because they don't have them! This kit contains: 1. Pneumatic parts (most hardware stores and/or home improvement centers are very limited on these items) 2. Plumbing fittings (you'll find the parts, but you'll have to build them to get the right geometry) 3. Specialized/proprietary parts (you won't find these locally, you'll have to go to the pneumatic-automation industry to find them) Finding all of the plumbing parts turned into an epic saga and a colossal waste of time; four trips to the hardware and plumbing stores finally completed the project.

Fortunately, I bought everything else from Joe, otherwise, it would still be incomplete. • Well Written Instructions Review by Gary Mullenix Rating: I built the EVS vacuum press system using the new Gast 5.5 cfm compressor. By following the well written instructions I was able to complete in the system in only a few hours.

I have used it many times along with the 2ft X 4ft Dura-Max polyurethane vacuum bag and still have not experienced any leaks at all. I plan to add a 2ft X 9ft bag next to expand to length of pieces to veneer. I have been veneering a long time but this vacuum press has eliminated the use of multiple clamps and messy lay-up and has taken the frustrating hassle out of producting a beautiful matched burl veneered piece of furniture. • High Quality Parts Review by Jeff Greenberg Rating: I researched vacuum presses for a while before I bought this. I never wanted to invest the kind of money required for a quality complete system and bought this after I read the website information and saw how complete and well-described the instructions were. I had absolutely no trouble constructing the system.

The instructions were very clear and the kit was complete with high quality parts. Even the instructions on troubleshooting were helpful and they helped me solve a very minor setup problem that I encountered. The system works great and I am looking forward to completing many projects using my new vacuum press and vacuum clamping system.

• Fun To Build Review by Terry Leright Rating: This is the 1st review Ive ever written. I was hesitant to order this kit. I received the kit within days of ordering it. I sat down and read the instructions, then dove into the build.

All the parts were there and the instructions were extremly detailed, fun and easy reading. As I built the pump press I just followed step by step and in a few hours with only one trip to the hardware this project was up and running.