by Bob Hammond » Sun Aug 07, 2016 4:19 pm
As a research scientist doing experiments, I learned that working out techniques is sometimes difficult and disappointing, and also that explaining imperfect results is valuable, for oneself and others.
Here, I wanted to glue the plywood inner walls to the exterior foam walls. I thought that a vacuum clamp with plastic painters' sheets might be just the thing, and so I made a manifold from $10 worth of 1/2" PVC plumbing. I cut slots halfway through the pipe about every 6". I roughed up the foam with a wallpaper scorer (didn't like) and so scarified the surface with a handplane (did like, as shown in an earlier post). The I spread glue at 8:2 glue:water v/v ratio, then folded over the plastic sheet and turned on the Shopvac. Everything sucked right down and looked great at first, and then I realized that the shopvac would probably burn out because the air passing through it also cools the motor. So I tried cycling it on and off. Well, I ended up adding weights, but one corner still did not stick. So, I think there were several factors that resulted in a so-so outcome;
1. The choice of the >Shopvac brand< wasn't a good idea. It turns out that newer Shopvacs have a non-replaceable thermal fuselink that will blow and brick the unit if it gets too hot. (It can be replaced with other things, but it's a PITA.)
2. I think that I diluted the glue too much for this purpose. It was easy to roller on, but not thick enough to get a good bite on the foam and plywood quickly. 9:1 would be better, or less.
3. I thought that I had started early enough in the day, but by the time I got things organized the sun was full up in the sky and shining down hot on the scene. I should have done the glueup in the evening.
This is a good idea that doesn't work well enough, yet, and your suggestions will be appreciated. Next time, I think that I'll clamp the long edges first, and then turn on the vac.
Last edited by
Bob Hammond on Sun Aug 07, 2016 4:32 pm, edited 3 times in total.
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