vacuum hold down

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kelvin
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Posts: 262
Joined: Thu Feb 03, 2005 4:56 pm
Location: Jackson Hole

vacuum hold down

Post by kelvin »

Here is another method for creating a vacuum hold down for jigs. I did this for a CNC table, but it could probably be adapted for other uses. I can't take credit for this; I got the idea from someone on the Shopbot forums.

The trick is to use ultralight MDF, found at most specialty lumber suppliers. I used 3/4", but it is available in other thicknesses. It is porous and you can pull a vacuum through it. The top skins are not porous and needs to be cut away. The sides are sealed with duct tape.

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I cut a plenum pattern into the bottom of the baffle board and put gasket tape around to seal.


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The top is surfaced.

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Holes are cut in the top of the table.

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Underneath. ABS plumbing parts and a vacuum motor. Rated to 104cfm, but a strong shopvac would probably work.

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In use.

Once the vacuum is turned on, the base material or core is held very tightly. I can't move it unless I break the vacuum. I think you can adapt it for hand routering by making a small table/ stand with a couple of holes and grooves cut for the vacuum. The baffle board would be cut from the ultralight mdf and would be the hold down and also the template.
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