bags - The Advantages of Vacuum Systems For Woodworkers

A relatively new technology for woodworkers is the vacuum system. These systems have been used in other areas for a quite some time, but have finally, in the last ten years or so have made it to our industry, in practical sizes for smaller applications. Once you become familiar with the capabilities of these systems, your woodworking world will explode with possibilities. Work that was at a one time seemingly impossible will become a relatively simple process. The speed and accuracy offered with using vacuum systems is nothing short of amazing. These systems, which are available in many configurations, are usable in many applications. They excel in veneering, clamping and jig hold downs. Thru use of a manifold they can be quickly converted from one process to another. Also, the use of a foot pedal to turn the unit on and off makes very quick clamping possible. My workbench has a three valve manifold mounted to the edge of the bench. With this setup, simply opening a valve controls which function it will handle. Quick connect fittings are used to connect the main vacuum line to different jigs. Vinyl hose is used as the piping for the system. The top of my bench has a 1/4inch hole drilled in the middle of the top, and a barbed fitting pushed into the hole on the bottom. The vinyl tubing connects the barbed fitting to the manifold. Any shape jig can be made, and with the help of foam self stick tape, applied the edges of the top and bottom sides, will form a secure vacuum seal. The jig also has a ? inch hole drilled through it. With this setup a rough cut "blank" can be routed to the exact shape of the jig. This jig, used along with the foot pedal will enable you to cut as many duplicate pieces as you desire, all of them being exactly the same. With the foot pedal, clamping is immediate, and very secure. Stepping on the pedal results in the blank being instantly secured to the bench. Stepping on the pedal again will release the piece just as quickly. The front edge of my bench is also "piped", and with the same gasket material, allowing me to instantly mount a cabinet door to the edge of the bench. With the door mounted to the bench, I can plane the edge of the door, or set the hinges. Again, stepping on the foot pedal makes clamping it an instant application. The final major application for the vacuum system is the use of a vacuum bag. These bags are available in several sizes and materials. They are also available in different gage materials, to compensate for the degree of abuse the bag will be subjected to. The use of the bag requires a platen, which is a flat panel, typically made from melamine due to it's relatively a non stick surface. The platen wants to be larger than the piece to be veneered. The platen must have 1/8 inch saw kerfs cut in it on the top side, in square foot intervals, which will allow the air to be evacuated from the sealed bag. A top platen is also required, and must be slightly larger than the work being glued up. Materials glued up in this fashion have a very secure bond, and is clamped equally across the entire surface. Certain glues must be used in these applications, as the requirements vary from standard woodworking joints. I hope this brief introduction to the many uses of the vacuum system to woodworkers will open your eyes to the potential these invaluable devices have to offer you. Written by: Lee A Jesberger. Jesberger has owned of a high end General Contracting business for thirty years. He also owns and operates a custom Cabinet and Furniture business. He is the inventor of the Ezee-Feed, infeed / outfeed systems for woodworking machines, which is patent pending. http://www.prowoodworkingtips.com http://www.ezee-feed.com Copyright 2007 - Lee A. Jesberger. All Rights Reserved Worldwide. Reprint Rights: You may reprint this article as long as you leave all of the links active, do not edit the article in any way, give author name credit. Article Source:http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lee_Jesberger bags - Dora Backpack: A Little Happiness in a Bag Looking around, kids of all ages have been totting bags with them where ever they go; here they hold some of their most prized possessions. They learn to keep these possessions close them no matter where they are. These bags range from the slip on, sling bags, belt bags, and the backpacks among numerous others. Backpacks, on the one hand can be very useful to them when going out. They can bring along with them a storybook, a doll of her favorite movie character and other important things such as spare clothes. Your child will surely love it. You can put some books on it and other educational items such as pencil, paper, books, crayon and coloring book, especially if you choose to buy the backpack of Dora the Explorer. In addition, since most kids love Dora, it will not be hard for you to get your child something she can enjoy and relish. Any outdoor activity can start out great as she packs her things in her Dora backpack. Dora backpack can really help your child ease the hesitation of attending nursery school. In this way, she can feel the part of being a student and be at ease knowing that she has Dora the Explorer, a girl known for her courage and bravery, along with her. As a parent, you can utilize the Dora backpack to begin educating your daughter on the proper way of handling and preparing a neatly packed bag. Thus, it makes her have a proper habit when she starts to go to elementary school. Dora the Explorer backpacks are available in all different sizes. So, it will not be a big issue whether your child's size is small, big or extra large. The backpacks all come with Dora's image and some of the wonderful characters of the show. But if your daughter wants to have a backpack that has only the image of Dora, it will not be a problem since there are so many available backpacks that features Dora alone. However, before buying the Dora backpack make sure that you ask your daughter the type, design and size that she wants in order to avoid possible problems with your daughter. Dora backpacks will definitely suit the needs of your child. Better yet, take her along as you go shopping for a Dora backpack. Some people would think that the backpack will cost them too much because of the popularity of Dora. Dora may seem to be very popular but the backpacks are all affordable because it was intended for children with mommies who can afford only the lesser price among the branded bags. Not only that, Dora backpack was made available to the public in order to please children. And also to help the parents who find it hard to please their own kids. Dora backpacks are pleasurable for a cause. And these cause benefits both the child and the parent. So, what is wrong about buying your small daughter a backpack? As long as it is Dora and it gives your daughter the cravings for education, then its all for good. One great purpose why you should buy a Dora backpack for your child is that, she deserves to have it. After all, she is your little angel and it is just right to give her little happiness at least once in a while.