Enrico Konig
Posts: 74
Joined: 2006-01-06
Location: Vancouver, BC
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I used to have a lot of slippage problems also. I'm doing a lot of multiple layer curved panels, veneered both sides. Now when I start laying up, first I put registration marks on everything, including the cauls. Then I use a couple of small pieces of packing tape to hold the veneer in the proper position, in a place that will be trimmed off. The sandwich is built, top caul put into position, and then I use a couple of brads centred on each side, top and bottom. Before I shoot the brads, I clamp the sandwich together at those spot to avoid locking in any voids. Obviously I'm building oversize, and only use the brads in an area that will be later trimmed.
Then I lift this complete sandwich onto the form. The bottom caul has already been registered onto the form, and since it is wider than the sandwich I am able to use a couple of screws through this caul into the form to hold the entire sandwich exactly where it needs to be.
May sound like quite a bit of work, but it works perfectly every time. And now that I've got the system down, it goes very fast. Before, trying to hold everything together and in place through the bag while the vacuum was being applied was often a nightmare. (My sandwiches are often 12 to 16 layers.) Often had to reopen the bag and try to slide everything back in place while the clock was ticking away. Way less stressful now.
Enrico
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