Don Stephan
Posts: 825
Joined: 2003-07-18
Location: Cincinnati, Ohio
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Some initial observations and experiences.
1. If the object to be veneered is longer than about 24", or has a circumference at least 24", order some Evacunet with the airform. Probably will have to move the platen in from the end of the bag (and the vacuum port) to have sufficient slack, and commonly found "workarounds" to the net, such as scotchbrite pads, don't work. No sense waiting an extra few days for the net, as I did, and paying extra shipping when it's less than $2 a foot.
2. If the airform is way too big, as is sometimes to be expected, fold it in quarters longwise (so that it looks like the letter M from the end) to take up the excess but still allow the bag to expand in the form as needed. If too long, just push it into the form, stuffing the excess in while allowing some expansion ability as needed. The plastic can grab itself if allowed to, and stretch when expanded, which needs to be kept in mind. The second box I veneered was only 24" long and the airform 84" long, so I folded 24" of the form back on itself and stuffed that into the far end of the box, to take up some of the excess. Figured that if the airform did not fully expand against the top of the box, the 3/4" plywood thickness of the top would be strong enough to make up the difference. No fractures yet...
3. Plan the first attempt early in a weekday so the doctor of vacuum (D Keil) can be called if (when) questions arise.
All in all, it's really cool to see the airform in action in a vacuum bag.
More experiences as they roll in ...
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