A vacuum press has many uses in the wood shop. It can be used to draw down vacuum in a vacuum bag or a vacuum table, for a chuck on a lathe, or clamps at your workbench. It is excellent for flattening veneers or drying veneers after dyeing. If you enjoy making guitars, this press can be used to power a low-impact bridge clamp. Of course, a vacuum press does wonders as a press for marquetry work. A vacuum frame/vacuum table combination makes gluing up blanks or flatwork a breeze. Simply lift the top frame, place your project on top of the flat torsion box, set the frame back down and apply vacuum. However, a frame alone can be used on any nonporous surface, such as a table saw outfeed or a workbench. Students will build a portable vacuum frame and torsion box that can be used flat, or if necessary, stored upright and out of the way once a vacuum has been drawn. This weekend would be the perfect prelude to a veneer class at MASW. It will be a fast-paced two-days of building a high-quality vacuum press using the parts and design for the EVS-2 press from veneersupplies.com (purchased separately). There might be some additional expenses above the $240 cost which could include additional tools or changes from the original design. Less expensive options are available if desired. This press can go head-to-head with the best vacuum presses offered commercially. Students will make a vacuum frame using heavy-duty polyurethane for the membrane. The frame will be paired with a flat torsion box.