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Project: EVS-2™
Auto-Cycling Pump
Vacuum Press Kit
* Special Savings! *
Product Description
The 100-piece Project: EVS-2™ is our latest and most comprehensive DIY auto-cycling vacuum press kit. It is a very powerful veneering tool capable of producing up to 1,785 lbs per square foot of pressure at sea level when used in its normal operating range. Even more impressive is that the vacuum creates this much pressure on every square foot within the vacuum bag. A simple 2' x 4' panel in a vacuum bag can have a total of 14,280 lbs of "pressure" spread across the whole project. It's easy to see why vacuum pressing is considered the ideal method to bond wood veneers to most substrates.
A True Auto-Cycling Vacuum Press
Once adequate vacuum is achieved, the Project: EVS-2 system makes no noise and uses no electricity. The system only powers up when the vacuum level has dropped and, in most cases, the "on" time is less than a minute.
Designed to Save You Time & Money
Our original EVS kit required dozens of parts from the hardware store including expensive PVC pipe and plywood. Those hardware store parts coupled with a vacuum pump and the original kit would typically cost more than the EVS-2 kit. This kit saves you money and includes all of the pre-cut PVC pieces and plywood carrier parts.
No Additional Parts Needed
Everything you see in the picture is included with the Project: EVS-2™ kit. This includes the plywood carrier which is made from finish-grade birch plywood, as well as a very powerful dual-piston vacuum pump, quick-connect vacuum fittings, and the PVC parts for the vacuum reservoirs. This 100-piece kit has everything. There are no additional parts needed to build it!
Kit Instructions: Click here (free PDF download)
Vacuum Press FAQ: Click here
Kit Contents
Vacuum Parts
Brass Fittings
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Electrical Parts
Miscellaneous Parts
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Project: EVS-2™ Features
There is no need to cut the pump's power cord!- The carrier parts made from A-grade, 13-ply birch.
- The kit is fully adjustable from 10.5" to 25.5" Hg (735 to 1,785 lbs per square foot).
- A vacuum valve allows you to pre-charge the system with vacuum before attaching the bag.
- Auto-cycling is energy efficient since the system only runs when additional vacuum is needed.
- The included quick-disconnects allow easy removal of the vacuum tube for storage.
- Comprehensive assembly instructions are clearly written so nearly anyone can build this kit.
- Very quiet operation during the "on" cycle at just 55 dB. Completely silent during the "off" cycle.
Notes from Joe
The new EVS-2™ kit addresses all of the most common inquiries I've received over the last 10+ years about the original EVS kit. This new kit is the result of hundreds of hours of careful thought, relentless design trials, and thorough testing. The assembly instructions are the most extensive I've ever written, and as a result of numerous customer suggestions, the EVS-2 kit has more assembly pictures than any other kit on my site. I wrote the kit instructions using simple terminology and put extra time into making the wiring sections as easy as possible. I think you're going to be impressed.
Project: EVS-2 Options
Vacuum Pump Options
The 3.5 CFM version is suitable for flat panel work in vacuum bags up to 4' x 9' and most curved panels in vacuum bags up to 4' x 4'. The 5.0 CFM version is suitable for flat panel work in vacuum bags up to 4' x 15' or 6' x 10' and most curved panels in vacuum bags up to 4' x 6'.
Continuous Run Add-On Kit
If the Project: EVS-2™ system is used for projects where there is a possibility that the system will cycle on very often, then it may be best to order and install the optional "continuous-run" add-on. The user can easily switch between auto-cycling or continuous-run modes with this add-on kit. This option includes a few extra parts and replaces the standard vacuum controller cover plate with one that has been modified to accept the continuous-run mode switch.
WARNING: This product can expose you to chemicals, including lead, which are known to the state of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm. For more information visit www.P65Warnings.ca.gov.
Can I order this kit without the pump?
We do not offer this kit without a pump because we cannot know if a different pump would fit on the carrier. The pump that is included with EVS-2 is compact so it leaves no room for a pump with a larger foot print. Additionally, we have no way to know if your existing pump would exceed the allowable amperage load on the EVS-2 electronics. If you would like to use your own vacuum pump, you may want to consider ordering the original Project: EVS kit. But be sure to check out this link first.
Can I use this kit to upgrade my Excel 3 or Excel 5 system to auto-cycle it?
Yes! We have a discounted EVS-2 upgrade kit that allows you to disassemble your Excel 3/5 system and use many of the parts from it.
How does it work?
A vacuum controller continuously measures the level of vacuum in the system. When additional vacuum is needed, the controller sends power to the vacuum pump and the solenoid valve. Once the set vacuum is achieved, the whole system cycles off. The check valve then holds the vacuum in the reservoirs and the solenoid valve releases back-vacuum at the pump when the system cycles off. This allows the pump to easily restart when additional vacuum is needed. The small sub-reservoir provides "free air" to the pump which allows it to spin up toward full RPM without back-pressure stress thereby reducing wear on the pump's internal components and motor windings.
What is the difference between this kit and the original EVS kit?
The original Project: EVS kit contains only the bare-bones parts to start building a vacuum press system. The original kit required you to source various parts from the hardware store such as plywood, electrical boxes, wire, switches, PVC pipe, and more. The EVS-2 kit contains 100 parts and includes everything you need to build the vacuum press system (except the PVC cement).
Why doesn't the kit include PVC cement?
It is very difficult to ship PVC cement due to flammability issues. And since most good hardware stores offer PVC cement at reasonable prices, it seems to be best to leave this part out of the kit.
Where can I find more questions and answers about this kit?
The JoeWoodworker Vacuum Press F.A.Q. answers more than 80 common questions about vacuum press kits.
Do I need a vacuum damper fitting if I order this kit with the 5 CFM vacuum pump?
No. The vacuum damper fitting is not needed with this kit even when ordered with the 5 CFM pump.
How long does it take to assemble the kit?
If you are handy with tools then you can likely assemble the kit in four to six hours.
What tools are required to complete the assembly?
Pliers, screwdriver, wrenches, wire strippers, drill bits, and a few other tools commonly found in a woodworker's shop are required. See the kit instructions for the complete list of tools.
Is there a 220/240v AC version available of this kit?
The EVS-2 kit is only compatible with 120v AC.
Does this kit include a vacuum bag?
None of our kits include a vacuum bag since there are so many sizes and materials from which to choose.
Can I use the 5 CFM version of this kit on small vacuum bags?
Absolutely!
What is the size of completed EVS-2 kit?
Approximately 20-1/2 x 12-3/4 x 11-1/2" (WxHxD)
What else will I need to have a complete vacuum pressing system?
You'll only need to order a vacuum bag and breather mesh to complete the system. Then head over to your nearest hardware store for some melamine board to be used as a platen inside the bag.
Does this kit include the lock-on connector that attaches to the vacuum bag?
Yes.
Which vacuum controller comes with this kit?
We offer two versions of the standalone vacuum controller, but the kit always comes with the "type 1" version which is adjustable from 10.5" to 25.5" of Hg. The EVS-2 kit can only be ordered with the type 1 vacuum controller. If your project requires lower vacuum, you will need to order the type II version of the vacuum controller separately.
Do you have a version of this kit that can auto-cycle at lower vacuum levels?
I don't have a specific version of this kit designed for low vacuum but you can order the Type II vacuum controller and use it on the EVS-2 kit.
How does my altitude affect the maximum vacuum level of this system?
There is a loss of approximately 1" of Hg for every 1,000 feet above sea level. For example, at 5,000 feet above sea level the most vacuum this system will create is 20.5" of Hg. The generally accepted minimum for vacuum pressing most veneers is 17" of Hg but a few species such as maple and bubinga are best pressed at 21" Hg. Since this system has a maximum vacuum of 25.5" Hg at sea level, it is not suitable for users above 8,000 feet.
Why would I need the continuous-run option?
This option helps reduce wear on the pump if the vacuum bag has a significant leak which causes the system to cycle on/off too frequently. This option also is useful for bench top vacuum clamping of highly porous materials that quickly lose vacuum.
Can I order the continuous-run upgrade at a later time?
Yes. Please click here for details.
Can I use a vacuum press for clamping boards together face to face?
At sea level, a typical vacuum press can put down the equivalent of 1,785 lbs of pressure per square foot. If the boards are flat, then this is generally considered more than adequate for a project where two sheet materials such as plywood or MDF are being glued together face to face. This also is true for gluing solid wood boards together.
Can I order this kit without the carrier or without the pump?
The EVS-2 kit is sold only as shown. We don't offer a version without the carrier or pump. You may instead want to consider ordering the original Project: EVS kit.
Why don't you include the assembly instructions with the kit?
It would be costly and wasteful to print copies of the instructions. It's best to use a laptop or tablet to view the kit instructions when assembling the system since it allows you to zoom in on the pictures.
Will this system have enough force to bend strips of wood so I can make bent laminations?
This is a difficult question to answer because it depends on many factors such as thickness, species and grain direction. It will also depend on the radius and complexity of the curves that are being used on the project. The vacuum pump included with this kit generates 25.5" of Hg at sea level which is equal to 1,785 lbs of clamping pressure per square foot. You will need to decide if that is enough for your bending project.
Why does my system require me to tap on the vacuum controller to make it cycle off?
The issue is not caused by the vacuum controller. It is the effect from another problem. The vacuum pump is being "asked" by the vacuum controller to deliver a higher vacuum than the pump can offer. In this case, the vacuum pump typically has some sort of issue which is preventing it from achieving full vacuum. It may be able to reach slightly less vacuum than what the controller is asking in order for it to switch off the system. Tapping on it jolts the switch mechanism and causes it to turn off.
The most common cause is a clogged exhaust muffler. The muffler can be easily disassembled, cleaned, and put back into service. Another cause of this issue is when the breather fitting on the solenoid valve is clogged. This fitting can be cleaned with denatured alcohol and compressed air.
Product Reviews
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Great Experience, Great Support, Great Pump
Review by Hendrik Gideonse
Rating:
The directions are really thoughtful and well written. The length of the directions is long because they are so complete. If you aren't used to putting together plumbing fittings, allow a little extra time for this. When I got confused, I asked for help and the support was very rapid and helpful.
Now that I am actually using the pump, I appreciate the thought process even more. I am making curved acoustic panels and the pump is functioning really well. The pump is quiet and all the leak testing paid off. After the initial vacuum charging of the bag, the pump doesn't turn back on at all after 3 hours of clamp time! I am a very small shop and there is no way I could afford a more expensive solution.
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My Experience Was Wonderful
Review by Richard Siefers
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I recently purchased the EVS-2 vacuum press kit and VS Elite polyurethane bag with the breather mesh. I made this purchase with some hesitation; but decided to make the purchase because of the positive reviews and Joe's timely response to my questions before the sale. The kit quality, completeness of materials, the clear and detailed instructions, and working performance exceeded every expectation that I had. My experience was wonderful and the product is great. I wish all my experiences with a business could be this good.
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Great Value
Review by Alastair Martin
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I went back and forth between these kits and [units from another supplier]. In the end, this kit offered more value (higher CFM) at a similar price point. Given that all the parts are exposed and readily available it also seemed easier to service in the future. Well packaged and parts arrived in good condition. It was actually fun to put together thanks to the carefully detailed instructions. It feels solid and is an excellent replacement / upgrade to my previous pump which was loud and spit a fine oil mist into the air. I used it yesterday on a 4' x 8' bag to laminate some cork sheet to a piece of MDF and it worked beautifully. It pulled down quickly but with enough time to roll out wrinkles in the bag (ie. not so fast as to be troublesome). I left it in for about 2 hours and it only cycled on once for under a minute during that time. Really happy with this purchase.
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Great Pump and Fun Project Too
Review by Paul Calvin
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I was going to opt for the quicker to build kit and I'm glad i didn't. This kit was a fun project in itself. The parts are high quality and the instructions are VERY thorough. Anybody can do this. The plumbing bit would definitely be easier with a table vise, but it's doable without. Pump ran perfectly on the first try, and quietly too. This was money well spent and the customer support is top notch. So happy I could support a small domestic business!
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Fantastic Purchase
Review by Townsend Colon
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I was put on to this pump after looking through forums for a solution for my Festool Vacsys system. Once I received the pump I was taken aback by the thoughtfulness of the packaging and follow-up support. Most importantly, the pump is excellent! Thanks for a smooth shopping experience!
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What a Kit! Well Worth the effort!
Review by Peter Halle
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I have to say that this kit and the instructions are fabulous. A lot of time was spent designing the system, sourcing the parts (all top notch), and writing the instructions in such a manner as to actually be usable by those of varying mechanical skill levels. It took me about 6 hours not working at a frenzied pace. Once the switch was flicked on and the vacuum controller adjusted it pulled a vacuum and held a vacuum - no leaks. I will be using the system in the next few days and will follow up on performance but wanted to say thank you for this great kit and offer my congratulations. Will highly recommend to my woodworking friends out there on the internet.
Disclaimer - I purchased this at full price and no affiliation with Veneer Supplies other than being a customer for 10+ years.
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Completely Satisfied
Review by Bruce Kilmer
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I recently decided to upgrade my vacuum press equipment and after conducting some research online I decided to purchase the EVS-2 kit by Veneer Supplies primarily because of the product information provided on their website. Assembly of the kit was a snap due to the excellent detailed and illustrated instructions provided with the kit. My first use of the EVS-2 was a test using some scrap veneer and Better Bond X-Press glue. The unit functioned as advertised, there were no surprises, and the performance of both the EVS-2 and the glue were excellent. In addition, several weeks after getting the kit, I emailed Joe concerning some technical issues with an old vacuum bag I had. He responded quickly within a few hours. I am completely satisfied with Veneer Supplies products and after sale support. I can, without reservation, recommend them.
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An EVS-2 Kit for Our WW Club
Review by Robert G. Hartman, Thomas Mackey, Gregory James
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The assembly of this kit with my woodworking club has been surprisingly enjoyable. There were five of us building it together and we all think the instructions are top-of-the-line. The process took about 2 hours if I subtract all the chattering we had about how it works and how many vacuum projects we were planning. Even the wiring process was simple because of the pictures provided and the straightforward line-by-line instructions.
It looks complicated but what this press does is very simple. We also ordered a polyurethane vacuum bag (4x4, 20 mil) and we're happy with it as well.
I have to admit that our first veneer project had some issues however our mistake was fixable and preventable. Bottom line - don't use yellow glue for veneering!
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Great Instructions With Even Better Pictures
Review by Charles Pitts
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Review of EVS-2 Assembly (haven't used it yet). Delivery was quick and all parts were included - made easy by checking off on the excellent and detailed parts pictures in the assembly instructions. I made only two mistakes. For some reason I delayed attaching the wire tie anchors (Part A, instruction 9) and then completely forgot them. Fortunately, I could place them after assembly in slightly different spots. During the power cord connection (Part G, instruction 7) I mistakenly thought the picture showed the power cord going into the lower electrical box through the small opening on the the side. Nope - it just goes through the back but I didn't discover that until Part H, Instruction 2. It only took about 10 minutes to redirect the power cord correctly.
The only other mistake I made was in following Part B instruction 5 which shows the maximum manifold length to be 6.75". I had to over-tighten the entire manifold to barely reach that length - I've enough experience to know how tight a manifold needs to be to be leak-proof. I can't see that 1/4" to 1/2" longer would make a difference to the Part D assembly and would still permit a really tight manifold. The final "issue" I had was with adjusting the manifold vacuum pressure (Part O instruction 5). The Quick Tip paragraph made me leery of accidentally removing the screw, so I only turned the screw a couple of turns CCW and the system never turned on. So I emailed Joe; he responded the next day with a couple of suggestions which addressed the problem that I described (I thought I had mis-wired it).
In one of those 2AM-aha! moments I finally understood the written instruction to leave "about 1/16" of space between the top of the screw and the top of the vacuum controller." So I turned the screw CCW until the vacuum pump finally kicked on. After that, calibration was a piece of cake. System is QUIET. Now I anxious to get my mantle to the point where I can veneer it. BOTTOM LINE: good product. Yeah, I'd recommend it.
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My Latest Woodworking Adventure: Adding a Vacuum Press
Review by Stan Brown
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It is amazing what can be done with a vacuum press and I have wanted one for years. So I took the plunge with the Project EVS2 kit and it has been awesome so far. Let's get into some details and tell you about the week I've just had.
I read the assembly instructions before ordering to make sure this was something I could do and I was surprised by how easy it looked. A few days pass for me to think it over. Then on a Tuesday morning I found myself on this website ready to place an order, but I did have a question so I sent an email and got a great response at around 10AM from the owner of the website. I put my order in around lunch time and when I got home from work that night I found a message in my inbox that my order shipped (tracking number included too) as well as some helpful tips about the kit.
My box arrived as scheduled on Thursday (not too shabby considering that I live in the middle of nowhere). It was packed very well. By Saturday morning I was in the shop working on the assembly. I finished mid-afternoon. The system is so tight that I don't have any recharging of vacuum even after 2 hours of testing. Part of this is due to my diligence in following the instructions perfectly and part of it is the quality of the parts in the kit. The parts are all top-shelf pieces - no corning/cost cutting.
I pressed my first panel on Sunday and it didn't turn out too well. Back to the computer to email Veneer Supplies and ask what went wrong. The owner replied that evening (yes, on a Sunday evening) and asked if I used breather netting on top of the veneer. Nope, I forgot all about it and left it sitting in the shipping box. I couldn't wait until Monday to try it again so I skipped dinner and built another panel. This time... PERFECTION!
The owner even followed up with me on Tuesday to see how things were going. Where in the world do you find this kind of customer service? I told him that every thing went very well and he asked me to post a review. Not sure he thought it would be such a lengthy one.The bottom line is this vacuum pressing will change the way you think and work with wood and it will open up your world to burls and other fancy veneers that take furniture making to a new level. I'm looking forward to many years of doing some high end veneering.
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Great Capable Vacuum System That's Eeasy to Construct
Review by Matt Monaghan
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Wow. Great system and SUPER kit! Parts were well packaged for easy identification and assembly - like a Lego kit. Instructions were very detailed with pictures, text and tips to make the process go smoothly. The time estimates were generous. In my shop, every part of the assembly was smooth and easy. The result is a durable system that is compact, convenient and easy to use. A+ in every way. Very good value. I would buy this again.
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A Pleasure to Assemble and Use!
Review by Andrew Hassel
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I got my kit a few days ago, and sat down and assembled the whole thing in one go yesterday afternoon. The instructions were hands down the best and most concise instructions I've used (I've assembled full size CNC machines, milling machines, etc.). I followed the directions exactly how they were, plugged it in, powered it on and it's held a perfect vacuum for nearly 12 hours without starting up once. All the parts fit perfectly and look exactly like they do in the PDF. Extremely happy with this purchase! Thank you very much Joe and team!
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Great Kit and The Best Assembly Instructions
Review by Nick Brumer
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The other reviews here about this correct are all 100% correct. The kits is really enjoyable to assemble because the instructions are so well-written. I finish assembly within 4 hours with the help of a friend. I can't say enough good things about the whole thing from ordering to assembly. Joe shipped my kit within a few hours of getting my order. It was well packaged and arrived a couple days later. The kits components are all top notch. Very, very happy with this purchase.
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Even better that I expected!
Review by Mel Jaymalin
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An absolute gem: from the parts to the design. It has EVERYTHING the professional vacuum pumps provide at a significant savings. And the satisfaction you get from putting the work in yourself is priceless. Not the DIYer type but brave to try. Don't fear, the instructions provided for the kit are perfect. No stone left unturned on these instruction. And if you still have a question, you can always reach out to Joe.
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Great Product and Service
Review by Doug Leonard
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First, it is a great surprise to see a company that takes time to package a product correctly for shipping with everything included. I took great satisfaction in that they did this. Second, the instructions were outstanding. Very clear with color pictures, arrows pointing out specific areas and very understanding wording. All the parts in a kit were cut exactly and were of great quality. I give 5+ stars because I appreciated all of this. I advise anyone of wanting to purchase from this company to do so.
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Impressive Kit!
Review by Peter Hunt
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Wow! Impressive kit! First of all, the materials and design are top-notch but the really impressive thing is the how-to-build-it manual. Excellently written! Make no mistake, this is a fairly complex kit to put together and takes some time, but the manual is so well thought out and written it is hard to go wrong. It is an online PDF manual but as the website says, that's because it is very complete with lots of excellent photos (which would be expensive to print). The only caution I would add is that I cracked the plastic filter when screwing it on. The manual says leave one thread visible. I had two threads and continued turning when it cracked. The difference depends on how much pipe tape you put on (I put on too much probably). Other than that, everything went together perfectly and the unit runs great! It took longer to assemble than I expected but the finished product is worth it. No leaks - pulls down 22" Hg easily.
[Note from Joe: It is important to avoid more than 3 layers of thread-sealing tape on any of the fittings in the kit, and this is especially true for the brass fittings that will connect to the vacuum filter. The kit instructions include information for applying thread-sealing tape.]
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So Happy I Made This Investment!
Review by Steve Benz
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I am a retired engineer and part-time woodworker. Occasionally I have a need for a vacuum press. Years ago I purchased a venturi-style press from a well known expert brand. It required a very large compressor that would rattle the house for hours while pressing - sometimes for hours on end.
This setup is AWESOME! Great setup! Easy assembly, with detailed on-line directions. When assembled, the press works as promised. All the components - from brass to plywood - are top notch. I am happy I invested in this system after monkeying around with other "solutions" for years.
You can trust Joe and Christine for good advise and great products at affordable prices.
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100% Satisfied
Review by Marco Martinez
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Call me 100% satisfied with my EVS2 kit! Since I love to tinker, I actually enjoyed the 4 hours it took for me to assemble it. As other reviews state, the instructions are incredibly-well written and the parts are all very good quality. The vacuum pump itself is compact but it pulls a strong vacuum and it does it fast. You really can't go wrong with this kit. I really like the quick-disconnect for the vacuum hose - makes storage easy. Shipping took 2 days which is about 1 day sooner than I expected. In fact, it was delivered on a Saturday which made my weekend a bit brighter. You can do a quick google search and find reviews for this company/website, and they are all excellent. Vacuum pressing will transform your abilities with veneer!
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Works Better Than I Expected
Review by Paul Schultz
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I purchased this to add vacuum hold-downs to my CNC w/jigs and it works better than I expected. It's great for machining multiple item quantities because it eliminates the time and hassle of clamping. I also bought the bag for veneering so that's a bonus. Instructions are detailed, assembly was a breeze and kit is complete. Excellent, fast shipping. Joe had some good suggestions (fast email response) before I placed my order. I like that I don't have to run my air compressor with this. It's definitely worth the extra money for that.
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Nice Weekend Project
Review by Michael Brown
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A very nice weekend project. It was rather easy to assemble and the instructions were well written. Purchased the continuous run feature as well. The pump works great and is relatively quite.
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Great!!!
Review by Kevin Hunter
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It took a few weeks for me to decide which kit I wanted to build. I do have an air compressor so the V4 kit looked pretty good, and the Excel 5 kit looked acceptable too. A bit of "analysis paralysis" set in and it stalled my decision. I sent a message about my concerns to the owner of this website and he replied later that day with helpful words of wisdom.
I ended up going with the EVS-2 kit with the 3 cfm pump option and I'm glad I did. This is a great kit with quality parts and very good instructions for assembly and use. There is nothing I could suggest to improve any part of the kit. The vacuum pump and the fittings and hose are great. No issues at all.
The assembly process took me about 4 hours. It might take others a bit longer to put it together but I have background plumbing so much of the process was second nature. I did have some concern about having a leak that would cause the kit to turn on and off too much. Luckily there were no problems with leaks. My system runs to 21" Hg and shuts off, and then it holds vacuum at least a day - that is all I tested for. I suspect that it will run more frequently with my new 4x9 bag attached but it won't run often.
I recommend this kit for any one who gets a bit stuck trying to decide which vacuum press is the best. Thank you Joe for the customer support and this vacuum press kit.
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Excellent Vacuum Press - No Problems at All
Review by Eric Robinson
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I've been running the EVS-2 vacuum press for a couple of months in our cabinet shop where there are 3 guys who use it regularly for veneering and some multi-lamination work. We are very happy with the system and I think it's going to get a lot of use. Assembly took a bit longer than expected because we had to start and stop over several days due to jobs that needed to be complete. But I think we could have assembled it in a few hours if the timing was right.
It doesn't have to run very often because it is an auto-run type of press but when it does turn on the sound is very reasonable.
All of the parts included with the kit are good quality - no complaints there at all. Customer support from this seller is superb.
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Enjoyable and Practical Project
Review by Rodney Larson
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This was a great project. I had it built within 5 hours, but I did have to troubleshoot a small leak at a brass fitting that I failed to fully tighten. Once that was done it held vacuum perfectly. The parts included with the kit are many and they are good quality. It took some time to sort everything out. The pump is well made and should last forever since it's not running continuously. The instructions are very easy to understand. My system cycles on once now and doesn't replenish the vacuum at all during the hour that I wait for the glue to set up. I would do it all over again if I could.
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Great Kit
Review by Ernest Angelo
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Quality parts. Fantastic instructions. I decided to stain and finish the wood so I am not sure how long it took me to complete the project but 6-8 hours is a good guess. Easy to adjust and test after it was put together. No leaks. The pump is even way quieter than I expected.
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Up and Running in Four Hours!
Review by Glen Comstock
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I'm quite happy with the EVS-2 kit and the vacuum bag I bought. There isn't much I can write that hasn't already been written about it. The parts are top quality and the instructions make it very easy to assemble. I got it running in about 4 hours and had no leaks after letting it sit for more than a day with vacuum in the tanks. Kudos to the owner of this website for all the help he offered me by way of several emails.
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Ultimate Vacuum Pressing System
Review by Bob Hirsch
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I jumped on the veneering bandwagon a few months ago when I bought some incredible burl walnut from this website. The project came out so well that I got hooked on veneering. But clamping with weight is not a perfect way to do it so made the switch to vacuum pressing. I looked at the Excel 5 kit sold on this site first but I really liked the idea behind this kit and I guess I thought that auto-cycling would cut down on noise and power consumption - though neither should really be a concern since the pump is very quiet and it doesn't draw much power when it is running.
There are a lot of parts included with the kit and everything is manufactured solidly. The vacuum pump is the core and it is a beauty with near-perfect castings and it has a durable feel.
I sent several questions to this website's owner and he replied to each quickly and he directly addressed my confusion about selecting a vacuum press. The ordering process was as easy as I could expect and my order shipped the same day I bought it. Assembly was easy due to very clear instructions. Other companies should learn to write assembly instructions that are this good.
If you buy a vacuum press, you also need a bag but don't forget to order breather mesh as well. You will need it. You can't go wrong with this kit if you are just getting into veneering. You will appreciate the thought that must have went into designing this kit.
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Glad I Made This Purchase
Review by Don Maxwell
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I think some people buy this kit for what it does and many people could afford to buy a pre-assembled vacuum press for a lot more money. I have wanted to use vacuum for veneer work for years and also thought about buying a turn-key vacuum press from another company (at twice the price), but the EVS-2 kit instructions make it look so enjoyable that I just had to build my own. I'm quite happy that I did because I like knowing how things work. That give me some confidence that I could diagnose and repair any issue down the road. Every thing in the kit appears to be a part that I could source and replace if needed. Of course I would first try to buy parts from this website, but if something happened and I had to get a replacement part somewhere else, I'm sure it would be no trouble.
I can't write anything that hasn't already been written about the parts included with the kit. The pump looks well-made and it runs very quiet. The vacuum gauge and brass fittings are very good. The PVC is well... the same PVC you buy in the store (which is absurdly expensive right now). I'm particularly surprised by the lock-on connection system for the vacuum tubing. It is so simple, but it works perfectly. I don't recall how long it took to arrive at my house though I do know they shipped it out very quick and I thought the shipping price was acceptable.
I don't normally write reviews on websites, but this is different because the kit is really good and the instructions are very, very detailed. You can poke around this website and find all sorts of great veneers. I found their "About us" page very interesting. At first I would not have known this is a small company - so small that its just a guy and his wife running the whole thing. But the customer service is so good here that you almost know its a small business. Big companies just don't have this kind of innovation, customer support, and prices.
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Very Satisfied with EVS-2 Kit and Customer Support
Review by Frank Richmond Jr.
Rating:
I'm glad I bought the EVS-2 kit and enjoyed putting it together. There was one mistake I made during assembly and I thought a part was missing from my kit so I sent an email through the contact form and had a reply within an hour. The kit was correct but I had mistaken the check valve for a pipe union. Joe's email cleared that up and he gave me a few other assembly tips that he was adding to the kit PDF instructions. I finished the assembly in about 5 hours and it worked perfectly on the first shot. I left the system fully charged with vacuum over-night and the gauge only moved 1" Hg in that time. Now that is tight!
Whether it be the brass fittings or the vacuum pump or even the power cord each part in the system is very good quality. The parts are all heavy duty. Little things make a difference in my opinion. The system has a stainless steel vacuum gauge - a better choice than the plastic gauges I've seen on other systems. The lock-on connector is very easy to use and the system carrier is definitely made from a high grade plywood.
Joe shipped my package the same day I ordered and it arrived a few days later. He actually emailed me the tracking number about three hours after ordering and then I got a follow up message from FedEx saying my box had been picked up. I'm glad to support small businesses like this. Good customer service is hard to find these days but this company is top notch. You won't regret ordering this kit. This is how all businesses should treat their customers.
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This is a Very Good Kit for Weekend Woodworkers
Review by Chad Morgan
Rating:
I bought my kit from this site just before Christmas and got around to assembling it last weekend. Assembly process was one of the most enjoyable I've ever done. The instructions are flawless - even a caveman could put this kit together. It took me just over 5 hours but as I mentioned it was a very fun project. My system fired right up on the first shot and I dialed in 21" Hg as the instructions explain. No leaks!
I also bought a vacuum bag and breather netting so I was able to do my first veneered project right away. It is amazing what this thing does. It flattened down the burl and pressed it completely flat. I pulled it from the bag an hour later and BOOM - a perfect panel. It is just a thrill to see the vacuum press in action. The wife says its hard to believe I built it but she's completely impressed with the lid on her new jewelry box. Go figure!
I'm very happy with this vacuum press. Everything about it is impressive. Wish I bought one sooner.
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Easy Do It Yourself Kit for Small Shops
Review by David Schultz
Rating:
Here is my first review of this vacuum press kit. I will update this post if anything changes.
Bought this kit last Friday and it was delivered this morning (Tuesday). Since I have a day off due to snow on the roads and because I have already read the kit instructions - I decided to build the kit this afternoon and I just finished up around 7pm tonight.
Everything in the kit is as described on this website. You get a pump, carrier, tubing, some wires, vacuum gauge, and a lot of brass fittings. Each piece appears to be high quality. The pump looks like it's built well. I have never seen this pump manufacturer but I am impressed so far.
The kit takes about 5 hours to assemble. I didn't have any leaks to worry about and I guess part of that is my background in plumbing but another part is from the quality of the kit instructions. The owner of this site did a great job with these instructions and I think anyone could build it without trouble. As I previously mentioned, I didn't have any leaks to fix. The vacuum pump fired up on the first try and it took less than 3 minutes to dial in the right vacuum press level for the bag. First panel is in the bag right now and I will come out 10 minutes from now. I can hardly wait to see what it looks like (quilted maple for a guitar body).
I am more than satisfied with my purchases here and plan to write a review of the vacuum bag as well.
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Count Me In!
Review by Steve Harris
Rating:
I'm another very satisfied owner of the Project EVS2. I ordered my kit on Sunday night. By Monday morning Joe had emailed me the tracking number and the kit arrived on Thursday. The parts list is extensive but I went over each piece and I can tell you that everything here is high quality. Me and my son started the assembly process early Saturday morning and we were finished by lunch time. The instructions are clearly written and have pictures that help make it extra clear. You really can't mess this up. I was a bit concerned about the wiring part but it was easy enough that my son could follow it.
I'm writing this review because our first project came out of the bag a few hours ago and it is perfect. I'm using quilted maple veneer (also bought here) and X-Press glue. The veneer is pressed onto the panel completely smooth. Veneering is something I've always wanted to try because the best woods in the world are usually made into veneer. I'm so glad I finally did this. Joe has been incredibly helpful and I highly recommend his service.
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Excellent
Review by Pete Hess
Rating:
Really well thought out kit. The instructions were excellent. I initially thought I had a problem but it turns out I didn't read the instructions line by line. If you do that it should work out great. My vacuum pump works great. It pumps down and holds a vacuum without cycling the pump on again.
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Easy Build with Excellent Results
Review by Mark Osgood
Rating:
Directions and components are excellent. The assembly took a little less than 4 hours. The press comes up to 20" in much less time than my version one pump. I highly recommend this kit.
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Designed and Built to Last Forever!
Review by Aaron K. Martin
Rating:
I want to share my experience assembling this kit so others know that it is much easier than it looks. First, the owner of this website (Joe) exchanged several emails with me before I ordered because I was a bit worried about putting it together. I just retired and have decided to add veneering to my woodworking skills so I was trying to decide on the EVS-2 or the Excel 5 kit. Joe was supportive of the Excel for my shop use, but I liked the idea of the autocycle vacuum press more. What worried me was that I would have trouble putting it together in my shop and then would not finish it. But Joe assured me that he would help any way possible if I got stuck. Sure enough I did run into a small problem so I emailed him and got a reply a few hours later explaining what I didn't understand.
The whole thing took me 6 hours to assemble. This included a long lunch break and some time re-reading parts of the instructions that I didn't read carefully the first time. I don't want to give the impression that there is anything wrong with the instructions or the kit though. Those instructions are written better than any other tool I've ever bought and I enjoyed assembling it because of that.
I think one of the best things about this kit is that it looks impressive and knowing that I built it makes me feel pretty good. Even my wife was impressed by me for putting it together. That is another plus. All of the parts in the kit were packed very well. The vacuum pump is the heaviest part but it is a nice piece of equipment. The connectors are all high quality pieces. The instructions are not included with the kit but he sends you a link to the instructions so you can download them for free.
I also bought a polyurethane vacuum bag and breather mesh as recommended. The first veneering project was a burlwood lid for a jewelry box and it turned out with perfection. My second project was a large quadmatched burl for the top of an end table and it also pressed perfectly. Vacuum pressing makes veneering easy and veneering a project adds all kinds of new wood options like burls and quilted woods. This is going to take my projects up several notches. Needless to say I am very happy with this purchase and proud to have it in my shop.
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Great kit! Assembly is Straight Forward and Instructions Are Easy...
Review by Steve Kroeker
Rating:
I was very impressed with the thorough, straight forward instructions. I ran into a couple of snags, and every time it was the result of me misreading the instructions. Once I did what the instructions stated, everything was back on track. It took me about 5-6 hours approximately (spread across several days as I had time available) to assemble everything. The kit had everything I needed and it went together great.
Even living at 7,000' in Colorado, I was able to pull 21" of vacuum when I was adjusting the system. I routed the edges of the carrier with a round-over bit and sealed the wood with Tung oil. I will be using the vacuum pump for some walnut burl veneer on a couple grandfather clocks I am currently building. I'm very glad that I bought the entire kit. It made it much easier than going out and trying to purchase all of the parts separately. Thanks for a great product!
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Excellent Kit - Great Support - Outstanding Business
Review by Rex Marshall
Rating:
I'm going to throw in my two cents here about this kit because I bought one and I love it and because my friend (who is not a woodworker) doesn't understand why I'd purchase a tool that I have to assemble. First - considering what it does and how it does it, this is a hell of a good deal. Yeah, so what that it doesn't come assembled. Take a look at the pictures... you can see it is designed to be assembled easily and yet to look awesome when you complete it. It went together quick for me and that process was quite a bit enjoyable. Plus now I understand how it works so if something goes wrong then I'll be able to fix it quickly. That is hard to say about nearly every other tool in my shop.
Second - when you buy this kit you are supporting a husband and wife who run one of the best and most respected online businesses for woodworkers. Look around this website at the veneers and the veneering products. Folks, its just two people that make all this happen. Look up their Google reviews and look at their testimonials page on this website. When you buy a kit, you get incredible service and great products - and at the same time you support two great people who have clearly given up a huge part of their lives to help woodworkers learn about veneer.
Like a million other people, I've sent emails to this company and found their replies prompt and extra helpful. Good luck getting that from [another woodworking mail order company]!
[Note from Joe: A big thank you to Rex for writing this incredibly kind review. Christine and I will always do our best to help anyone wanting to get into veneering. Beside the two of us, we have a great employee (Jeff) who helps with order packing, inventory, shipping, paper-backed veneer orders, and a million other things.]
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Very Satisfied
Review by Jason R. Weber
Rating:
I have a very specific need for a vacuum press in my shop and when my last vacuum press finally taken its last breath, I had to move quickly to find a replacement. It was a no-brainer to check out the vacuum press kits on this site because I have had many order with this company and I've always been happy. I wanted an auto-cycling vacuum press and could have gone with the compressed air vacuum press set up offered here but my air compressor lines are short and it would be an inconvenience to lay an air line across my shop during the day.
So I checked out this kit instead and after reading the instructions I knew this was a do-able project and building it was actually enjoyable as a bit of mental downtime from the other work around my shop. You do need to follow the instructions (which are well done) but each step is laid out in plain English and with good pictures where needed. It took me about 4 hours to put it together. One thing I really like is that I can understand how the press works. It's not rocket-science here but at least if it ever breaks down, I think I would be able to fix it. There isn't much here that really could fail though except the vacuum pump but it appears to be a quality item.
My first pressing came out perfect as expected and since then I've done several more panels. It works very well... shutting off and turning back on again when it should. I'm very satisfied with this purchase and recommend it if you want to do veneer work.
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Very Happy this Small (and Quiet!) Vacuum Pump
Review by Chris Luke
Rating:
I bought this kit for a few reasons:
* I've wanted a vacuum pump for a while. I'm not (yet) much into veneering but I do like the idea of vacuum clamping on my baby CNC or being able to exert even pressure when gluing larger flat pieces together.
* I didn't really want a continuous-run if I could avoid it, though having it be an option is nice. I'm the sort that would forget it was switched on and come back to the shop the following weekend to find the motor super toasty.
* I like supporting small businesses where I can.
* This kit seemed a nice balance on the build/buy scale. I do like making my tools, but also value my time.
The kit arrived *very* quickly. Shipped same day. The instructions for the EVS-2 are incredibly detailed; I had them open on the computer behind me to avoid printing them (one time use and all that) and it worked out well.
The kit went together very well, and probably took me 4 to 5 hours. I'd say having a decent metalworking vice handy will be useful to properly tighten the brass fittings. A woodworking vice will work, but you'll want to do something to avoid marring wooden chops.
The result is really quite a nice unit. It's not especially large, it's not especially noisy and it holds a vacuum quite well. It does lose a small amount each day, but with testing it basically doesn't need to cycle the motor for several days at a time (testing with 10' of hose that I blocked off with tape at one end.) I am quite happy with this performance.
As for tightening the brass fittings - they will go tighter than you probably think despite the brass-on-brass squeals of complaint. I recommend using good wrenches and a metalworking vice for the best leverage. I could probably have given several joints at least another full turn, which might have improved the vacuum retention some more.
I ordered the smaller (3.5 CFM) pump with the continuous run switch. The electrical wiring is straightforward and is nothing even the most electrically-hesitant should worry about.
All in all, quite happy with this little vacuum pump and no doubt it will serve me well in my small hobby shop.
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Great Kit, No Issues, Very Happy with My Order
Review by Glenn Hayward
Rating:
I don't buy junk tools. I prefer to buy a tool once and know that my equipment will be reliable for a very long time so I researched this kit and each part in it. Then I carefully went over the instructions. It looked like a great machine for my shop.
I ordered on a Monday morning and had a shipment notification a few hours later. The kit showed up in two well-packed boxes two days later. The first box contained the vacuum pump and the second box had all of the fittings, pvc pipe, etc. The kit does not come with instructions. You have to print them off the website. I worked on it for a couple of hours that night after dinner and picked it up again in the morning. The kit was assembled by lunch time and my first panel was out by mid afternoon. I worried a bit during the vacuum time that maybe I didn't do something right in the glue up and that it would come out wrinkled or broken. Well... it came out fine. The panel is flat and the veneer is so smooth that you can't even tell its veneer. I'm using the X Press glue from this site for my veneering. Very happy with it too.
A woodworking buddy was in my shop this morning and he described the kit as "well sorted out" and I think that was a good description. I'm very happy with my order and I think it's perfect for my shop. Veneering has not been part of my repertoire until now and I can see it's going to bring my projects to a whole new level. Not to mention that veneer is so much cheaper than solid wood.
In closing, I'll say that this is great kit and I'm very happy with my purchase from this web site. - Glenn Hayward
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Completely Satisfied!
Review by Cory Parker
Rating:
This is a great kit. Assembly time for me was about 4-1/2 hours. I found it was easy to put together. I did contact Joe once to ask about a certain fitting that looked odd to me but he replied quickly and it was fine. There are plenty of picture in the instructions which were also helpful. My first veneering project was a small pedestal table top and it came out perfect. No issues at all with the press, bag, or glue.
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A Great Machine and Great Customer Service
Review by Andrew Voss
Rating:
I was a bit hesitant to order this kit because I'm not good with assembling things like bikes and BBQ grills but the kit instructions are written very well and it was very easy to put together. It seems like all of the parts inside are very high quality. The plywood parts are especially nice. Joe was able to help me quickly identify a small mistake I made in the assembly process. Overall I am very pleased with the kit and would recommend it.
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Awesome Kit
Review by Eric Garcia
Rating:
Its hard to believe I am the first to write a review of the EVS-2 vacuum press. This thing is incredible. I assembled it in stages over the weekend and had it running last night without a single issue. The instructions are superbly written and have a lot of pictures. Probably took me about 5 hours to fully assemble it. It was a good weekend project. I ordered my kit on Tuesday and it arrived on Thursday. Amazing! My first project came out of the vacuum bag this morning and it was perfect. If you've spent anytime on some of the online woodworking forums, then you know that the owner of this website is very good to work with and that everything he and his wife sell here is high quality.
[Note from Joe: This kit was added to our site on 9/3/21 and Eric was one of the first to order it. It's so new, that he got to be the first person to post a review.]
Shipping Discounts
Also Recommended
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Vacuum Clamping Add-On $114.90 -
Vacuum Breather Mesh/Net $18.50 -
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Vacuum Manifold Assembly $98.50
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