The Hub

Hi, I have been trying to use vacuum for big surface glue-ups; fretboard to neck, drop or carve top to body etc. But I am not sure I am completely happy with the system that I have. It feels as if it's not always hugging the slabs as well as it should (or in comparison to physical clamping). I had purchased a kit with a pump from a British small company and the pump, although it's small, seems to be working okay. But the very thin vacuum…

Greetings Wise Elders and fellow seekers of the Looth Group! I hope you're all keeping well. I humbly beseech thee for thine sage wisdom and experience. I purchased a 1971 Hagstrom Swede. This guitar was basically put in a case and then forgotten about for a few decades. I felt sorry for the old man and have taken it in as a stray / project. I would like to get it playing again. There are many scars on this guitar, I have looked for as…

I bought the O'brien vacuum clamp and a pump to clamp bridges on new builds, but also to use for repair work. I got tired of making custom top and bottom cauls for every odd-shaped bridge that comes in my shop. The vacuum clamp works great on a flat surface with no pick guard. I put it on a J45 with a pick guard, and it won't seal. The gasket is too hard to form over the pick guard. I've seen YouTube videos of other folks using vacu…

Anyone have a suggestion for a do everything vacuum pump? I'd like something that could laminate sides, brace tops, laminate double tops, etc etc. I know @member@member has a cool cheap one. I'm not sure if that's powerful enough to do all building tasks? If it is, that's cool.