Homemade guitar brace vacuum clamping jig for luthier
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- Опубліковано 19 вер 2024
- I made my own vacuum clamping system for guitar, mandolin, ukulele bracing. It's basically a 2x4 frame, with a rubber gasket underneathe. On the top is mastic tape and vacuum film, with a couple side ports in the edge (don't forget to put some vacuum breather cloth on them). The plexiglass sheet on the bottom I got at a junk store for $2 and I found the 2x4. the only thing I bought was the gasket material, my neighbor gave me the vacuum film and mastic, but that stuff is not expensive. You can get a vacuum pump used for $40. For sure you could make this for under $100, in my opinion, by just buying it and less if you shop around. It's important to seal the wood all around, because the pores will allow some air in.
I just put my radius dish with the guitar plate on it on the plexiglass and glue braces and put into place with tape (fold an edge). Then lower the frame, pull the vacuum (21" mercury) and let it sit for 5-7 minutes. then open and scrape leathery glue away, put it back in for a half hour. Super easy, super fast and really fun to watch the pressure of the atmosphere do all the hard work.....
What’s the vacuum breather cloth for/do? Think I might have a go and build one, thanks.
It allows air to escape. Sometimes the vacuum film will seal on itself, not letting air escape from any or all areas.
The vacuum pump contineu running until the glue up done?
Yes, that is what they are designed to do. They can run for hours and hours. Vacuum bagging is how epoxy fabrication is largely done
Nice work Mr Z...Great info! keeps life interesting don't it? How thick is the 'vacuum film' - I'm guessing that it's neoprene like I've seen at LMI?
Mark Bailey it's WAY thinner than neoprene or surgical rubber. Feels about as thick as a Ziploc bag. Its stretchy, as well.
sir can u help me in building this similar jig for gluing back and top braces?
not sure how I can help you other than tell you that it is very easy to build. make a wooden frame, be sure its flat, seal the inner corners, route a channel underneath for some gasket material, seal it well at its joints, get some mastic for the top to seal down plastic. vacuum film is best, but it can be plastic, as well. anything else?
@@Jimbojam Thanks for ur help. just one doubt. how much cfm is the vacuum pump and till how much time we need to keep it ON
@Aqualib Guitars what I do is leave the glue for 10 mins then open it up while supporting it so it doesn't spring up yet (weights help) and I use McDonald's straws, cut at 45 degree angle to scoop up the squeezed out glue, then I re-clamp it all for maybe and hour. I leave weighs on top of the film and have a timer that shuts the pump off if im gone. CFM of vacuum pump is small, more importantly I measure the inches mercury vacuum pulled on the pump air line to the bag, which tell you how strong the clamp is. I shoot for 21 inches mercury on the readout. You will need a gauge and a bleeder valve to adjust the flow. If there is a hole in the bag, just use a piece of tape.