vacuum Podz

[jkaras2000]

Hi: Has anyone seen or used Vacuum Podz. They seem like a really affordable way to hold down materials. I am including links which have a video that looks real impressive. Thanks Joe.

http://www.veneersupplies.com/categories/Vacuum__Press__Items/Vacuum__Press__Kits/


http://www.veneersupplies.com/products/Podz-Vacuum-Clamping-Jigs.html

[dana_swift]

Joe- pods like that work well if you have a high-vacuum pump and do not cut through your material.

Making custom pods is really easy with the bot, the secret is to use vacuum gasketing from All-star adhesives on both sides.

It helps to make custom pods because the pod should support the whole work piece, not just the middle of one. Otherwise you will be likely to have troubles machining unsupported material.

If you are just getting started, these are inexpensive, and I have bought things from them in the past that worked as advertised.

Vacuum bagging is a great way to glue clamp things together. Once you have a vacuum source vacuum bags are a wonderful tool for very little additional cost. Never too much clamp pressure, and the vacuum helps remove the moisture from the glues much faster. What would be a 2 hour minimum hold time with conventional clamps may be 30 minutes to an hour with a vacuum bag.

When I bought my Beckker vacuum pump, I kept my A/C pump just for vacuum bagging. Now I can use either one, but if I am just bagging, a 1/2 horse motor is much cheaper to run than the big pump and there is effectively no flow in a bag application.

[carlosgmarroquin]

I'm no expert in this field, but I received this link just the other day:

http://clicks.aweber.com/y/ct/?l=5hL0g&m=1kOI6ObzvYhPWX&b=upZ_9bpHUUFpvykEeAsYog

[Brady Watson]

Joe,
You can very easily make your own pods and save a ton of money.

-B

[jkaras2000]

Thanks for the comments fellas. My Shopbot just shipped from the factory today. I am getting 4x8 PRT with spindle. I have Aspire software which was sent early on for me to begin working with. I plan on using T Slot track every six inches along the 8' axis. I plan to use T Slot hold down dogs, and cams as well. I figure I can use a piece of quarter inch ply screwed to the bottom of the machined material, if I have to get away from the edges of the material I am working with. I saw the vacuum system and thought it would be a good combination to work with the items I already have. If machine does not come by Friday, then next Tues. I hope to have it to fool with over the holiday weekend. Thanks Again. Joe

[dana_swift]

Good luck, keep us posted- and looking forward to your contributions!