Curved Panel Lamination Press
The newest addition to my shop is this sinister looking device I've just made.
I had an interest in making curved panels for some time now.
To do this, several thin layers of wood are bent in alternating directions over a curved form with ample glue and clamped tightly while the glue dries. If done correctly the finished panels will retain the curve and be as solid as good quality plywood. Because you're gluing up the layers by hand, fine veneers can be used for the top and bottom layers to match the solid hardwood of the furniture you're building.
The whole trick to the lamination is getting all of the layers glued evenly, stacked precisely and clamped in such a way as to not have any gaps or unevenness. A vacuum press does this better than any other method. I built mine with heavy gauge vinyl sealed at the edges and connected to a home made vacuum source. The pump itself is a standard high cfm automotive vacuum pump. The tubing, gauges, switches, sensors and storage canisters hold a constant vacuum pressure, turning the pump on and off over a 24 hour period while the glue dries.
The small cylinder insures that the pump will come on with "no load" on start up. This feature gaurantees the longevity of the pump motor. The large cylinders maintain a buffer amount of suction so the pump won't have to cycle on and off as often.
In all it's a very efficient little system. And it works beautifully. I glued up 4 panels to make this shelving unit for my daughters bedroom. The surface veneers are birch and it will get painted when complete. Hmm...I wonder if I'll ever make a straight piece of furniture ever again?
