Vacuum Press EVS - JoeWoodworker

A couple of years ago I wanted to add a vacuum press to my arsenal and after much research I settled on the EVS design by Joe Woodworker.

I spent a great deal of time designing and reconfiguring the components based on an old 7 gallon air tank I had. I am really happy with this system.

You plug this contraption into the wall and the vacuum pump into it. The hose on the left goes to the bag, the hose on the right goes to the pump. I have the pressure switch set to turn on around 23inches and off around 25inches. 

This is my latest project I used it on; a pair of fiberglass insole parts for a set of platform heels I am making from scratch. 

The difference in part thickness between vacuum press and ambient air F/G layup is about 50%; the 1st pair I made with three layers of glass were only .025" thick. Making parts with the press (when I can) is very rewarding; you know you have got a clean & even part.

Vise Soft Jaw Liners

I finally made some nice aluminum vise jaw liners that I can use until I go to a better place!

I took a piece of 1 x 1 x 1/8th aluminum extrusion cut to length with a 1/4 in hole on center.

To make them stay in place I drilled two 3/16ths holes deep enough to hold a couple of dowel pins.

And keep the dowel pins on a  magnet at the back of the vise.

Drill Press Bed Extension

It seemed like every other time I used the drill I either had to move the vice off of the surface or onto the surface.

So I took a piece of scrap aluminum and using the an existing hole in the upright tube clamp I bolted on the custom fit piece to extend the table as far back as possible. The scrap piece had the hole pattern in it which is pretty cool looking.

So now the vice slides far enough back so I should not have to remove it very often.