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Build Your Own Vacuum Press
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Podz™ are simple vacuum jigs designed to affordably clamp projects to your bench top. Using the power of your VeneerSupplies.com vacuum press and clamping system, the Podz™ 26-piece kit allows you to configure the clamping jigs any way you choose to clamp projects as small as 4" x 4" and as large as 5' x 4'. Purchase additional Podz kits, and you can expand the project size to panels of any size! With the Podz™ system, you can vacuum clamp work pieces to your bench top for routing, sanding, trimming, sawing, carving, dovetailing, staining, planing, scraping, and more. Each Podz™ clamping jig is made from high density polyethylene and is pre-drilled and pre-tapped. Assembly is quick and simple. Use two Podz jigs for small work, or link multiple Podz together for larger panels. A set of four spring-loaded ball valves is included with each Podz™ jig, which allows you to pre-arrange the jigs on your work bench (with the vacuum source turned on). These valves reduce the loss of vacuum pressure and keep the jigs in place until the work piece is ready for clamping. Kit Contents:
Assembly Time: 10 minutes Optional Replacement Gaskets
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Requirements:
To use the Podz™ jigs, you will need a vacuum press and a foot-operated vacuum clamping unit. For Project EVS-2 and V4 vacuum press systems, the vacuum clamping add-on is required to control the flow of pressure from the vacuum reservoirs. If you own an Excel 1, 3, or 5 vacuum press system, you will only need an electric foot-pedal switch to control the vacuum pump system.
Notes from Joe:
- Podz™ clamping jigs work best on non-porous surfaces. This includes your bench top. If you have a porous wood bench top, the vacuum pressure will be diminished. In this case, I recommend applying several coats of oil based polyurethane to seal the pores and allow maximum vacuum clamping pressure.
- Porous woods such as oak and walnut will allow vacuum pressure to escape from the system. You can choose to allow this air to leak out and clamping pressure will be decreased. Alternatively, you can place blue painter's tape or even contact paper on the clamp side of the work piece. This will create a non-porous surface that can be clamped with vacuum.
- The Podz™ system is adjustable. You can cut the tubing to any size needed for the scope of your projects. I recommend using a 4-3-4 tube layout. This means four feet of tube from jig #1 to jig #2, three feet of vacuum tube from jig #2 to jig #3, and four feet of vacuum tube from jig#3 to jig#4.
- A set of four spring-loaded ball valves is included with each Podz™ jig, which allows you to pre-arrange each jig on your work bench (while the vacuum source operating). The valves minimize the loss of vacuum pressure and keep the jigs in place until your work piece in set on top.
*** Select the appropriate starter fitting based on your vacuum press.
- If you have the pnuematic foot pedal assembly for the V4 or EVS-2 vacuum press systems, select the "barb union" option above.
- If you have an Excel vacuum press system, select the "tube adapter" option above.
Need a custom sized vacuum jig?
We have all of the parts in stock to make your own vacuum clamping jig.
Questions & Answers
What is the purpose of the ball valve on each of the Podz™ units?
The ball valves do not hold a perfect vacuum seal, but they hold enough that you can place the Podz on your work bench, and they will not slide around while you are positioning the work piece on top.
How much vacuum flow do I need to make the Podz work properly?
That is a difficult question to answer because it depends on the porosity of the work bench surface and of the project you are clamping. Some woods such as oak and walnut are very porous, and it takes a lot of vacuum flow (CFM) to overcome the vacuum leak caused by the porosity. And if your work bench surface is also porous, then a vacuum clamping jig will require even more CFM. If you are clamping a non-porous material such as plastic to a work bench that has been completely sealed with a top coating, then a vacuum pump with as little as .5 CFM should work very well. The next factor is the maximum vacuum of the pump. Most users will find adequate holding power with just 15" of Hg vacuum. I've found that 3 CFM vacuum pumps that can create 25" of Hg vacuum work quite well with most surfaces for vacuum clamping with the Podz jigs.
Do I have to use all four Podz™ at the same time?
It depends on the size and porosity of the clamping material and the amount of clamping force required to hold down the work piece. Generally speaking, routing requires more clamping force than sanding.
Do I have to remove Podz jigs that are not in use while clamping?
That depends on the amount of clamping strength needed for the project. Unused Podz will leak a small amount of vacuum through the ball valve. To get maximum clamping force on small projects, remove any unused Podz jigs from the vacuum line. Use all four Podz jigs if you can fit them under your project.
Can I permanently mount the Podz jigs to a work surface?
Yes indeed. There are several ways to do this, but here is the method I feel is best. You will need at least two appropriately-sized coarse-thread screws for each Podz jig to be mounted. A screw at each corner of the jig may be advisable for some applications.
- Start by removing the bottom gasket from the Podz jig(s).
- Then mark the location for the jigs on a suitable panel where you wish to mount them. Trace the outside shape of the jig onto the top side of the mounting panel.
- Mark the location of the pilot holes for the screws on the panel, being careful that these holes will not go through the vacuum channels located inside the Podz jig. The mounting holes should be spaced at least a half-inch in from the edge of the jig. The diameter of the pilot hole should match the diameter of the shaft on the mounting screw. Depending on the application, you may need to countersink the holes into the panel surface to account for the head of the screw.
- Set the jigs in the correct position on the top side of the panel.
- From the back side of the panel, mark the location of the screw holes onto the jigs using the pilot holes for reference. A small Sharpie-like marker may be the best way to mark the back of the jig.
- Use an appropriately sized drill bit to bore holes into the jigs from the back side. The jigs are made from HDPE which is relatively soft, making the boring process easy. Do not bore all the way through to the face of the jig. This is critical. Only bore deep enough to allow the screws to attach.
- Cut two pieces of clear packing tape approximately 1.5" x 1.5". Cover the bottom hole of the Podz jig with both pieces of tape.
- Set the jig onto the top side of the panel and insert the screws from behind through the pilot holes. Firmly attach the screws to the jigs. The screws should be long enough to go through your panel and no less than 3/8" into the Podz jig.
I have seen a few users who simply opted to drill two holes completely through from the face of the jig (being careful to not go through the vacuum channels!) and then countersink the top of the hole. Then they put coarse-thread screws through the holes and attached the jigs directly to the top of the work surface, while leaving the bottom gasket in place.
How much clamping strength is generated by all four Podz™ together?
At 25" of Hg, the total clamping strength is approximately 345 lbs.
Why doesn't this product include the foot pedal?
The foot pedal is a critical part of controlling the flow of vacuum to the Podz™ system, but there are two types of foot pedals (electric and pneumatic). For the Excel™ vacuum press systems, you will need this kit and the electric foot pedal. For the V4™ systems, you will need the full vacuum clamping add-on kit, which includes a pneumatic foot pedal and several other items.
Will the Podz system work with a CNC router?
The Podz system is designed for bench top clamping only.
How do I connect and use the Podz jigs with a vacuum press from a different supplier?
You would likely have to remove any existing connector on the end of the vacuum tube and replace it with the "new" version of our lock-on connector. However, one issue you may find is that your existing vacuum press has no way to bleed the vacuum from the jigs when you turn the pump off. This could make it more difficult to remove the project from the Podz jigs.
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