Homebuilt micarta press

[LR Adkins]

I wanted a press that wouldn't require three hands like my old one that used 4 c-clamps. It was a real pain trying to keep the resin soaked material lined up while holding the boards straight and operating the clamps. This is what I came up with and it works pretty well. The only problem I had was the 1x4 boards wanted to bow a little under hard pressure. I should have used hardwood like oak. I solved the problem by screwing and glueing 2x2s on the 1x4 boards.

Since the one end of the press stays in one position I had to come up with another way to get different thickness micarta. I cut three shims different thickness, 1/4 , 1/2 , and 3/4 to fit in the notch of the press. The pics show how I used the shims. It was easy to make and works great.
Larry

 

[murphda2]

Lookin good!

 

[Keith Willis]

I have been thinking of something like this,as you say,it is a real pain trying to keep it all straight.It does't look like you have used it much,but is there anything you would do different?

God bless,Keith

 

[BossDog]

of course this calls for a Licarta tutorial...

 

[JAWilliams]

Larry that looks great. Have you had any troubles with it?

 

[LR Adkins]

The 1x4s were too flimsy, I should have used hardwood like oak. I just beefed it up with 2x2 instead. I used it one time so far and it worked good. It was a lot easier to manage than 4 c-clamps IMO.

Tracey I can make another and do a tutorial if you want me to. I could show how to use it, I'm getting ready to make camo micarta.

Larry

 

[Bob Warner]

Do the tutorial please.

 

[Keith Willis]

Do the tutorial please.

2thumbs


God bless,Keith

 

[BossDog]

yes, please do. There are a lot of questions around home made laminate and how it's done.

 

[Patrick]

Larry you could always send the extra one to me. You know so you don't have all that stuff cluttering up your shop. Nice idea.

I've got a bunch of material ready to make into micarta. A girl down the road wants a pink handled dagger and I found a pair of tiny pink jeans at a thrift shop. Then I have green & black jeans and some green canvas. Been putting it off till I could do it a little easier. This surely will help.

Pat

 

[Fross]

That looks great, I may have to incorporate this into my system. I use 2 - 3/8" x 6"x8" steel plates and some c clamps, you are right...you need 3 hands.

 

[bootstrap]

I have been thinking of making one, so i can make some denim micarta. I think that stuff looks great, but I think the only have to get its to make your own. Since its very similar to laying fiber glass, I shouldn't have a problem working it.

 

[LR Adkins]

Bootstrap, it's real easy to do, just a little messy. I'll show how in the tutorial

Larry

 

[Bennie Lovejoy]

2thumbs on the tutorial. Been wanting to try to make micarta and that would help.

Bennie