Darryl Keil Last Activity 2025-09-09 11:09 AM
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Howard

Posts: 24

Joined: 2007-01-15

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Subject : Base for small flip top veneer press
Posted : 2007-04-16 10:15 PM
Post #33766
I’m planning on making a small flip top veneering press, about 2 by 4 feet in size. I’d like to make it light weight as I will be moving it around. My plan is to glue Formica to both sides to a 1 inch thick sheet of honeycomb with about a 3 inch wide wood edging all around The hinges for the top would be attached to the edging.

The frame will be covered with 1/16 inch super soft silicone rubber.

I have a couple of questions:
1. Does anyone see any problems with making the base as described?
2. Should the wood edging be the same thickness as the honeycomb or slightly less to compensate for compression of the honeycomb when I press the assembly? I will be using a vacuum bag.

Thanks

Howard



 
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Darryl Keil

Posts: 1455

Joined: 2003-05-22
Location: Maine

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Subject : RE: Base for small flip top veneer press
Posted : 2007-04-17 9:41 AM
Post #33767 - In reply to #33766
Howard,

Although you can glue formica directly to honeycomb for a frame press I would suggest at least an 1/8" base underneath the laminate. Its very hard not to get some degree of telegraphing with such a thin material. For a wall panel I wouldn't see a problem but for a table that you plan on pressing with I would add the additional support of a sub layer under the formica.

I cant see two sheets of 1/8" adding much weight to such a small table.

Dont forget, you need to turn the vacuum level way down around 10-15HG to prevent collapsing of the honeycomb.

Sincerely
Darryl Keil


 
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Howard

Posts: 24

Joined: 2007-01-15

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Subject : Base for small flip top veneer press
Posted : 2007-04-17 12:14 PM
Post #33768 - In reply to #33767
Thanks Daryl:

Regarding the possibility of the honeycomb collapsing, does that mean that I will only be able to use the press to do veneering at the lower pressure?

If using the press made with paper honeycomb at higher vacuums will be a problem, I am considering using an aluminum high strength honeycomb sold by McMaster Carr. Can Unibond be used to bond Aluminum?

Howard



 
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Darryl Keil

Posts: 1455

Joined: 2003-05-22
Location: Maine

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Subject : RE: Base for small flip top veneer press
Posted : 2007-04-17 10:24 PM
Post #33769 - In reply to #33768
Howard,

You only turn down the pressure when making the honeycomb panel not when using or veneering it later. You can then run it at full vacuum.

Unibond will not stick well to aluminum.

Sincerely
Darryl Keil


 
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Don Stephan

Posts: 825

Joined: 2003-07-18
Location: Cincinnati, Ohio

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Subject : RE: Base for small flip top veneer press
Posted : 2007-04-18 7:53 PM
Post #33773 - In reply to #33768
Howard:

I'm a bit confused - your intent is to use the honeycomb (torsion box) as the base or TABLE on which the vacuum bag will be used, correct? The bottom layer inside the vacuum bag is often called the PLATEN, and is grooved both across the width and along the length, to allow air to flow within the bag under the pressing sandwich of BOTTOM CAUL, VENEER/SUBSTRATE/VENEER, and TOP CAUL.

The platen typically is a piece of 3/4" melamine board because it is very flat and glues typically have difficulty sticking to it. A 2' x 4' piece of melamine board would probably weigh about 22-25 pounds. If you want to use your torsion box for the platen, you'll have to use perhaps 1/4" plywood skin on both sides so there is room to groove the top surface, and even then I'd be concerned that the grooves would weaken the torsion box too much.


 
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Howard

Posts: 24

Joined: 2007-01-15

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Subject : Base for small flip top veneer press
Posted : 2007-04-18 10:56 PM
Post #33775 - In reply to #33773
Nope, I’m not used a bag.

The press consists of a platen with hinged frame (like a picture frame) attached to it. The frame is covered with a sheet of silicone rubber. A gasket seals the frame to the platen when closed. The work is placed on the platen, the frame closed and the chamber thus formed evacuated.



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