Vacuum Bag

Terry Moore replies: The question is gluing what? Gluing veneer is best accomplished using a vacuum bag. Some curved forms can also be used in a vacuum bag for re-sawn lamination work. Most of the guitar making factories use a small vacuum press to glue the braces to the top and back of the guitar. In certain circumstances a vacuum bag is fine, but it is not an economical alternative to a pipe clamp for pulling together a mortise and tenon joint.

I made my own first vacuum system by gluing together a vinyl bag, and using an old hospital vacuum pump. It worked ok. I finally broke down and bought a commercial system from Vacuum Pressing Systems of Brunswick, Maine. It is an investment, but it is also a much better system.