A few questions, first build

**Killbo** · 11-10-2009 04:05 PM

I made a DIMM style press, and decided to go for a challenge and do a drop deck. I used 2 sheets of 1/8 BB, plan was to do 2 first, then 3, then glue the 2 together making for 5/8ths total thickness. The problem is, the 2 ply in the press right now just isn't bending with the press. It is a 2 inch drop over 3 inches.

I am assuming that my problem is either not enough glue (only glued one piece and stuck the other to it, threw into press) or not enough weight. I have 5 packs of tiles on this thing and 2 bags of cement, even tried sitting on it but just couldn't get it to bend further.

I'm waiting for it to dry now, and hoping that it bends a bit more. Any tips or advice?
Oh yea, both sheets are cut lengthwise along the grain.

My last question is about vacuum bags. I have one of those vac bags that connects to a vacuum cleaner, designed to shrink clothing when traveling. It is long enough to be used on a board, I was wondering if anyone has tried using something like this to make boards and how well it worked.

Sorry about the long post, could use some help though. My press pretty much looks identical to the one DIMM made in his instruction video.

Thanks

**mini_matt** · 11-10-2009 06:47 PM

hey, first on the bag thing a vacume cleaner doesn't pull enough, i thought about this but a bit of reading said it wouldn't work so never tried. you would have to do it with thinner ply to get the tight curves you want. have a look through the press pics thread because you will probably get better results by making several clamp things with 2by4 and threaded bar, easier than weights!

**LongboarderFORlife** · 11-10-2009 09:27 PM

Originally Posted by Killbo

I made a DIMM style press, and decided to go for a challenge and do a drop deck. I used 2 sheets of 1/8 BB, plan was to do 2 first, then 3, then glue the 2 together making for 5/8ths total thickness. The problem is, the 2 ply in the press right now just isn't bending with the press. It is a 2 inch drop over 3 inches.

I am assuming that my problem is either not enough glue (only glued one piece and stuck the other to it, threw into press) or not enough weight. I have 5 packs of tiles on this thing and 2 bags of cement, even tried sitting on it but just couldn't get it to bend further.

I'm waiting for it to dry now, and hoping that it bends a bit more. Any tips or advice?
Oh yea, both sheets are cut lengthwise along the grain.

My last question is about vacuum bags. I have one of those vac bags that connects to a vacuum cleaner, designed to shrink clothing when traveling. It is long enough to be used on a board, I was wondering if anyone has tried using something like this to make boards and how well it worked.

Sorry about the long post, could use some help though. My press pretty much looks identical to the one DIMM made in his instruction video.

Thanks

i just am glassing mine right now. 4 plys and fiber. plus aluminium in lay... im 200 lbs. i think that maybe ur wood shuld be dampend a bit to help the glue soak inside. then im thinking that if its cut lengthwise. once it dries. u will have good concave. ur drop WILL NOT work out well.
just because lengthwise= good for concave and cross grain=good chamber

**cojeep636** · 11-10-2009 10:42 PM

your bend should be possible, but as noted in the dimm-press thread, the clamping method is significantly better than any weight method.

Typically... with the 2x4 clamping method

As shown here, seems to work best/cheapest.

I have tried supplementing this with bar clamps, and its just plain not worth the effort.

There might be better ways, but this is cheap, and totalled me less than $10, totally worth every last cent. The grade 0-2 bolts seem to wear quickly, but they are cheap to replace if purchased in bulk.

I believe someone posted a rating of sorts for the amount of pressure inflicted by this method... but if i remember right its close to the equivilant of 2000 lbs... which is a big difference, as a box of tile averages 40lbs (on the high end).... you have a LOT of weight to go.

I would suggest starting over, gluing both faces before pressing, then clamping the living piss out of them.... i finished my drop deck with this method, and you can too! (yay for cliche' yet interesting phrases)

**Killbo** · 11-11-2009 12:52 AM

Thanks a lot for the replies. I bought enough bolts, nuts and washers today to make a total of 6 2x4 clamps. I'll try to do 2 plies tomorrow, hopefully it will work.

One question about wetting or dampening the wood. Are we talking about rubbing a wet cloth over it or really drizzling some water on. Would it be bad if it got fully soaked?

Thanks again

**mini_matt** · 11-11-2009 03:42 PM

just damp cloth if you really think but more glue is probably better! lol i tried with weight and just didnt work so got to get some 2x4 and threaded bar when i can to get my epic concave!

**benmasters** · 11-11-2009 04:20 PM

DONT DAMPEN THE WOOD! just do it dry. its really not worth risking it by wetting it.

**eye_candy** · 11-11-2009 04:22 PM

depending on the glue, if your using gorilla glue, then yes you will have to lightly!!! dampen the wood with a rag, if your using tight bond 3 then no you will not.

**Killbo** · 11-11-2009 05:20 PM

Awesome, yea I'm using Titebond III so I'll just go for the extra glue. Thanks everyone, I'm hoping to post tomorrow that it bent exactly how I wanted it. If not I might just lie.

**benmasters** · 11-11-2009 05:27 PM

def dont wanna use gorilla glue either
http://www.silverfishlongboarding.co...illa-glue.html

**cawlin** · 11-11-2009 06:11 PM

I honestly think the issue was not enough pressure. I can attest that the 2x4s + bolts work fantastic. You should be able to get drop even though you cut with the grain, that shouldn't matter too much.