Episode #118 - Bench Top Vacuum Infuser



This bench top vacuum infuser is the perfect accessory for a woodshop vacuum pump. A vacuum infuser allows you to evenly dye veneer and small pieces of wood. You can also infuse wood stabilizing products such as acrylic resin, sanding sealer or Miniwax Wood Hardener.

The applications for a vacuum infusing are broad, ranging from colored veneer for marquetry to colored and stabilized pen turning blanks to colored and stabilized custom knife scales. I for one am looking forward to dyeing my own veneer for future marquetry projects.

For starters, try 15 minutes of vacuum infusing for coloring veneers. Just remember, experiment and have fun!

Stay tuned for the completion of the inlay series.

Happy Woodworking!

David

The Folding Rule Blog

Infusion Dyed Cherry Veneer (left to right)

GREEN - ORANGE - NATURAL - HONEY AMBER - LEMON YELLOW

Bench Top Vacuum Infuser

Close up of top cap with heavy duty stem valve

Close up top cap with vacuum tape seal

Close up vacuum gauge showing -28mmHg

BENCH TOP VACUUM INFUSER BILL OF MATERIALS

• PVC 4” Pipe Caps - 2 each
• PVC 4” Pipe - 24 inches
• Heavy Duty Stem Valve - 1 each
• Vacuum Hose Connector - 1 each
• Vacuum Tape - 12 inches
• Base - 8 x 8 hardwood or plywood
• Truss Head ¾” Screws - 4 each
• Clear Silicone - 1 small tube
• Gasket Material 4’ Diameter - 12” square sheet from an auto store

VACUUM INFUSING RESOURCE LINKS

• JoeWoodworker.com
• Veneer Supplies
• JoeWoodworker Vacuum Infusion Article
• Heavy Duty Stem Valve
• Vacuum Hose Connector
• Vacuum Tape
• Order TransTint Dyes
• Hints & Tips for Using TransTint Dyes
• TransTint Color Samples
  

Episode #117 – Inlay Series Part 5: Inset Routing

This episode demonstrates cutting the leaf inset and routing the leaf shaped recess using the template guide and the router inlay kit. We start of by quickly adding the cherry veneer from the previous episode. The router inlay kit made short work of cutting three leaf inserts from the stack of veneer. Reinforcing the thin and delicate veneer sheets with gummed paper tape provides enough protection to insure sharp clean edges and an unbroken leaf tip. Remember to make this cut without the bushing collar. (Don’t ask why I am emphasizing this obvious point!)

Once the leaf inserts are free, we reapply the template to the stock that receives the recess. This cut is made with the bushing collar. Depth of cut is set just shallow of the leaf insert thickness. This results in the leaf insert being just proud of the surface when inset into the panel recess. Later the leaf will be scraped flush to the panel surface.

Despite having the video equipment set up and ready to go for this episode, I ended up with no audio. Seems you have to remember to turn on the receiver for the wireless mic! It was impossible to re-shoot the video. So, after realizing this stupid mistake, I added some background music and voice overlay.

Episode #116 - Inlay Series Part 4: Inspiration & Extras

This episode is a quick break in the inlay action to cover the inspirational resources for this procedure and to answer a comment from episode #2.

Chuck Middleton, a prolific period woodworker and active MLW 207 Forum contributor at Major League Woodworking, questioned “Instead of using a pin nailer, could you use thinner cardboard, such as, from a cereal box and than use a hand stapler to hold the packet together?” The short answer is yes, with some limitations. Stay tuned and see how this low cost alternative works out!

Bird's Mouth V-Block

Download plan for Bird's Mouth v-block

Silas Kopf Website

Silas Kopf: Book & DVD

Paul Schurch Website

Paul Schurch: Tools - Supplies - Books & DVD

The Marquetry Course by Jack Metcalfe & John Apps

Craig Vandall Stevens Website

The Art of Marquetry by Craig Vandall Stevens

Episode #115 - Inlay Series Part 3: Cutting the Motif

This episode continues exploration of an inlay process that combines techniques from marguetry and the standard router inlay kit. A scroll saw is used to cut along the leaf central vein. The leaf parts are then recombined with 2 inch gummed paper tape. Because the veneer blanks were orientated 90° to each other, when recombined we now have the grain orientated approximately 45° off the central vein. At the close of this episode we will be ready to use the router inlay kit to cut out the veneer leaf insert.