Vacuum Press

[particle]

A little while ago, a couple people asked me to take photos of the table I use for vacuum forming. Sorry it took so long to post these - my 8-5 has kept me out of the shop for the last month so I haven't had much time to work on holsters lately.

Here is the vacuum I bought from Harbor Freight:

http://www.harborfre...pump-98076.html

And here is the kit you'll need for vacuum forming:

http://www.veneersup...-Press-Kit.html

And the bag - they are now including the blue/white plastic pipe closure system when you purchase the bags:

http://www.veneersup...-Bag-2-x-4.html

I'm not sure if they are including ONE, or TWO pipe closures with a new bag purchase. I would, without a doubt, make sure you have TWO when it comes time to form your first holster.

http://www.veneersup...ag-Closure.html

I initially just used one clamp on the open end of the poly bag. I placed my clamps (like shown in the photo below) on one end, then wrapped the bag down under the edge of the table and clamped the other end. However, the poly bag is too slippery, and the clamps would quickly slip off. Thus, I started using the second bag closure on the other end, and my bag has stayed securely clamped to the table with no more slipping!

As you can see, it's a basic plywood rectangle with a simple skirt. The whole thing probably took less than an hour to build -mostly because I was figuring it out as I went along. The top's narrow dimension should be the same dimension as the narrowest dimension of your vacuum bag. The longest dimension should be about 6" shorter than the longest dimension of the vacuum bag. So, a 2' x 4' vacuum bag would result in a table size of 2' x 3'-6" (for example). The skirt is 2" tall, so the table top floats off the bench 2" leaving room for clamping at the ends. The skirt is also inset about 2", which allows the clamps reach further inward, without hitting the skirt of the table. I simply glued the mating edges of the plywood and stapled it with a pneumatic stapler.

Below, you can see the basic spring clamps I use to secure the vacuum bag to the table. I bought a big combo-bag from Lowes - the were pretty cheap and came with several sizes of clamps. I use the smallest of the included clamps to secure my hides to the bench to keep them from trying to roll up while I layout my patterns for cutting. They're small enough they don't get in the way, and weak enough they don't damage the leather.

Here is the Harbor Freight pump, along with the veneersupplies.com kit already assembled and installed on the pump.

You'll need to build one of these too - it helps to keep the bag from closing until the air is evacuated completely. I believe it's called a Platen. I made mine from MDF. I first cut it into a circle, then I drilled a hole in the middle, then used my band saw to cut intersecting kerfs across the top surface. Then, I cut vertical kerfs along the edge that intersect those on the top. To finish it off, I used my wood chisel to chamfer the kerfs and open up the reliefs so the air could flow more quickly/freely. Sand it all smooth.

The paracord is used as a breether mesh. Read the following for more information if you care to:

http://www.joewoodwo...eather-mesh.htm

I put one end under the wood platen, then run the other end to the firearm or magazine - keep it away from the leather, as it will make an indention in your leather once the vacuum is turned on. This helps to ensure the air is pulled from the holster, even after the bag sucks up tight around the platen (which could prevent getting a very strong vacuum pull on the leather if the bag closes - the breether mesh prevents this and allows for maximum vacuum pull on the leather)

Here you can see how the nose of the clamps extend past the skirt, thus the reason for the inset on all sides (or at least along the long edges).

Lastly - I added a ledge along one edge in case I ever wanted to hang the table from a wall. Maybe not the best way to do it, but it at least gives something for your hook to grab onto without having to worry about perfect alignment when trying to hang it on the wall for storage.

Hope this helps some of you that are trying to build your vacuum press station. Many thanks to Denster for his help when I initially bought/built my vacuum pump.

Edited December 24, 2010 by particle

[JP1]

Thanks for the pics.

[BigRiverLeather]

Could I bother you to post a pic of a holster and mold in it with the paracord - basically in the forming process?

I see the dye(looks like both brown and black) that has rubbed off inside the bag. Do you use a different bag for the different colors of dyed holsters? I would think you would get black transferring onto your brown holsters.

Nice setup.

Edited December 25, 2010 by BigRiverLeather

[particle]

Hi BRL - sorry it took me so long to post a pic. Last night was my first chance to get back in the shop. Regarding the dye - some of the dye has transferred to the bag -I suppose it's from a couple attempts at forming too soon after dying. Not really sure, but it hasn't been a problem with subsequent holsters. I may think differently next time I do a natural holsters.... But just in case, I'll probably just turn the bag around and use the other side -or move over to the left to a clean portion of the bag.

Anyway - here is a pic showing the "breather mesh" (paracord) inserted into the mag well of the pistol. It doesn't really need to be inserted like that, because you won't always have the opportunity -such as when you're using blue guns, magazines, etc. If you simply drape the cord over the grip and or magazine, I figure there is enough cracks and crevices to allow a small amount of air to pass and make its way to the cord. Once there, the air should continue pulling along the cord to the platen and out the pump. That being said, I'm not entirely confident the paracord is the best material to use, as once it gets compressed, I doubt much air flows freely. It's worked well so far, but something else may work better. It may be worth purchasing an actual strip of breather mesh and laying it under the platten, then placing the other end under the grip of the gun or base plate of a magazine, etc. I imagine that stuff is designed to continue allowing the free flow of air, even under full vacuum.

[bitone40]

cool set up . I have all the parts and pump just like that one but do not use it . I have no room for it rigth now , but now I have an idea of what you are always talking about . thanks for the pictures and decription .

ben

[BigRiverLeather]

Hi BRL - sorry it took me so long to post a pic.

Your timing was perfect. Hadn't checked back until tonight. Thanks for going to the trouble to post the pics and the info