The pin system is quick and easy as you have to remove the top beam to lay the panel onto the presses. After positioning the rib you lay in the hose, lay in the top beam, insert the pin and inflate the hose. The light weight makes this all one handed stuff and very easy. With a top beam made of wood, loaded with screw clamps it's cumbersome and slow. With the valve at the end of the hose you can quick connect the compressor hose and open the valve just a small amount so that you can hold the rib in place while it inflates very slowly. That obviates the need to pin the rib so it doesn't skate. David Love davidlovepianos at comcast.net www.davidlovepianos.com -----Original Message----- From: pianotech-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf Of Richard Brekne Sent: Wednesday, February 27, 2008 10:58 AM To: pianotech at ptg.org Subject: Pneumatic presses was RE: Emailing: P2130064 Well, they look really well thought through and very sturdy and functional indeed. The issue about options for placement of the top pin for holding the upper beam is what got me thinking about some kind of a screw down system.... but what you have there looks to be more then workable. The only reason I asked about vertical laminated beams is that I like the look of wood better :)... on the flip side I suppose those aluminum bars you have are nice and lightweight and store quiet easily. Anyways... neat job. Grats. Cheers RicB Sorry, forgot to rename my photo emailer with the original message. I toyed with the idea of a screw press but since there are different length ribs, where to locate the screws, just how many screws to put in each one, how to make them mobile etc., how do distribute the pressure evenly and thoroughly all convinced me that pneumatic was better. My set consists of 6 presses of varying lengths: 1 at 5', 2 at 3', 3 at 4'. In retrospect, I should have built another 5 footer. Also, I may end up switching the angle aluminum to perforated angle struts which would have been cheaper and easier with more options for placement of the pins for holding down the upper beam. David Love
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