Replies

1. 
   Jamie_Buxton | Mar 02, 2005 06:48am | #1

   There's a review of it at http://www.joewoodworker.com/veneering/roarockitreview.htm

1. 
   forestgirl | Mar 02, 2005 08:40pm | #2

   There must be better ways to exercise.  Unless you're ambidextrous one arm would be like Popeye, the other like, well, me!forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)Another proud member of the  "I Rocked With ToolDoc Club" .... :>) 

2. 
   Blueline | Mar 04, 2005 09:51pm | #4

   Thanks alot Jamie, had you not sent me this link I propably would have sprung for it, now, I'll spend my money elsewhere. Thanks again!

1. 
   forestgirl | Jun 09, 2006 02:24am | #11

   This thread is an example of why not to take the first review you read as Gospel.forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-) 

2. 
   Michmesquite | Mar 03, 2005 03:50am | #3

   Woodcraft is advertising a 24x36 vacuum press kit using a venturi (hooked to your air compressor) for $190. (Includes glue)

   _________________________________

   Michael in San Jose

   "In all affairs it's a healthy thing now and then to hang a question mark on the things you have long taken for granted." Bertrand Russell 

3. 
   Jellyrug | Mar 04, 2005 10:10pm | #5

   The bag size is 12" x 45"

   For that kind of size, I use a "Sandwich", which I clamp either on top of my workbench, or I start off in the workbench end vise, with some C clamps added.

   Typical sandwich will be:

   1.) Substrate.

   2.) Veneer glued to substrate.

   3.) Brown paper

   4.) $5 worth of 1" foam

   5.) Brown paper

   4.) MDF board, or second veneered board.

   The only additional equipment added to my normal woodworking tools is the piece of $5 foam, which rolls up and can be stored anywhere.

1. 
   user-5880422 | Mar 04, 2005 10:40pm | #6

   1) multigrain bread or soft roll

   2) roast beef or turkey

   3) layer of mustard or horse raddish

   4) few cents worth of lettuce and tomato

   5) cheese

   6) more multigrain bread or soft roll

1. 
   Jellyrug | Mar 04, 2005 11:03pm | #7

   You forgot the glue,

   That has to be Budweiser, keeps your sandwich together.

1. 
   user-5880422 | Mar 04, 2005 11:49pm | #8

   the beer is the "$5 piece of foam that can be rolled up and stored anywhere"

4. 
   MBerger | Jun 08, 2006 11:42pm | #9

   We reviewed this hand-pump vacuum press in Fine Woodworking last year. You can read the review in our online Tool Guide here. (it's free)

   I've used it a few times in the past month with good results.

   Matt Berger
   Fine Woodworking

5. 
   JohnH | Jun 09, 2006 02:19am | #10

   I've used this veneer press with overall good results on at least a dozen veneer panels.

   The main trick is to get a really good seal with the sealant tape. IMHO the problem Joe Woodworker had was not firmly pressing EVERYWHERE along the sealant tape. I found just 30 strokes was enough to fully collapse the bag. Although the manufacturer http://www.roarockit.com claims you can reuse the sealant tape, I found two problems. First, my finger strength is not enough to peel it apart easily after the first use. Second, after the first use the surface is irregular and hard to reseal without leaks.

   My solution was to cut off the end of the bag at the sealant after every use and apply new sealant tape for the next use. This means the bag gets shorter for every subsequent use.

   Of course, as Joe Woodworker states, without a vacuum gage, you really don't have good pressure control on your workpiece.

   IMHO it is an economical way to get started with veneering (which is its intended purpose). Once you know that veneering is in your long term plans, spring for a pump and easily resealable bag system of your choice.

1. 
   MBerger | Jun 09, 2006 02:35pm | #12

   I concur with your experience. I used it for laminating several layers of 1/16 in. veneers to make a skateboard (the kit's original purpose), and used it to adhere a layer of marquetry to the glued up skateboard. When the seal on the bag was tight, I had no problems and the bag held its vacuum overnight. After about six uses, I didn't keep the gummy tape clean and the bag didn't seal. The fix was to add a new strip of gummy tape to the bag below the original one. The only downside I can see to this is that you have to regularly replensish your gummy tape inventory.