Thoughts on AirWeights? Planning spoilboard 3.0

1

I’m soliciting feedback on the AirWeights vacuum holding system. Do you have this system and how has it worked out? Tips, tricks, or pictures?

I’m planning my next spoil board setup (v3). I actually have a vacuum table using MDF (homemade but much like a hurricane system). I intend to keep that in some configuration as it is great for full sheets of plywood. However, it isn’t really good for anything else.

These days I am doing a lot more small pieces with two sided operations. Work holding is a big challenge. I also would like repeatability with custom jigs for making small numbers of a product with time in-between.

My ultimate goal is to have a setup that:

  • Uses my existing high volume vacuum setup for perfect 5x5 ply and good 4x8 plywood operations for cabinet style projects
  • Incorporates T-Tracks and dog holes, though maybe more sparingly than other setups due to the vacuum tables needs
  • Uses screw down points for jigs and possibly the AirWeights system
  • Vertical table for joinery (dovetail drawers)
  • Easier ability to change zones (for example, using my probe to have an exact model of the machine frame now that I truly trust the machine coordinates – thanks to the Ex controller and hard stops!)

Thanks for any feedback

2

I have the AirWeights 24x24 and a 24x48. I started with the 24x24 and used my VacuPress 6 cfm pump and it works well. I later upgraded to the 24x48 and bought the AirWeights 14 cfm pump with it. It also works very well. I like the fact that I can add and remove it from my spoilboard in just a couple of minutes. I’ve been using it lately to hold down thin glass sheets for diamond drag engraving. I intend to try using it to hold down veneer for laser cutting marquetry pieces. Not sure how this well this will work, but the idea is to use a piece of 1/4” MDF between the vacuum plate and the veneer as a sacrificial surface to burn into. I’ll report back once tested.

All in all I think it is a convenient tool to have on hand, but it comes at a high price point. If you are doing more large batch projects it may be better to build one and save some coin.