vacuum veneering ,bag seal

"mike hide" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> I have just got a new large vacuum veneering bag. I am using an old frig
> compressor as a pump . this compressor will pull 25" of vacuum easily .
>
> the problem is sealing the bag . I have tried the two boards with sealing
> tape , the pvc pipe method a la taunton veering book and the two boards
with
> a 1/2"dowel glued insert .....all top no avail .the pump will not pull any
> vacuum at all because I cammot get a decent seal .
>
> Any suggestions appreciated.......mjh
>


The problem is likely that your pump, while capable of plenty of pressure,
does not move enough volume. It's like trying to seat a tire bead with a
hand pump.

Anyway, I would try taping the bag opening with a strip of plastic packaging
tape, then using your other clamping method.
--
********
Bill Pounds
http://www.billpounds.com

"mike hide" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>I have just got a new large vacuum veneering bag. I am using an old frig
> compressor as a pump . this compressor will pull 25" of vacuum easily .
>
> the problem is sealing the bag . I have tried the two boards with sealing
> tape , the pvc pipe method a la taunton veering book and the two boards
> with
> a 1/2"dowel glued insert .....all top no avail .the pump will not pull any
> vacuum at all because I cammot get a decent seal .
>
> Any suggestions appreciated.......mjh
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
Guys I do appreciate your suggestions and will give them a whirl in the next
day or so . At this point I will be happy to try anything after a week or so
of frustration.

I have been working with Joe woodworker,who has been very helpful, and Yes
it may be the pump has the pressure capability but not enough volume
capacity to overcom,e the initial leakage .I think once the pump starts
pulling a vacuum it automatically pulls the plastic sheets together and
essentially forms it's own seal..

I will report on progress later .In the meantime thanks for the suggestions
.....mjh

mike hide (in [email protected]) said:

| I have just got a new large vacuum veneering bag. I am using an old
| frig compressor as a pump . this compressor will pull 25" of vacuum
| easily .
|
| the problem is sealing the bag . I have tried the two boards with
| sealing tape , the pvc pipe method a la taunton veering book and
| the two boards with a 1/2"dowel glued insert .....all top no avail
| .the pump will not pull any vacuum at all because I cammot get a
| decent seal .

Mike...

I've worked with vacuum clamping and not with veneer pressing; but
would like to suggest laying out a strip of _closed_-cell
weatherstripping (1" wide, any thickness) and folding it lengthwise
over the end of the bag you want to seal (no wrinkles allowed!). Leave
a quarter-inch or so between the end of the bag and the fold and trim
the foam so it protrudess about a half-inch beyond the already sealed
sides of the bag.

Then clamp a pair of 1" small boards over the entire length of the
foam to maintain the closure.

The weatherstripping should seal well to the plastic, and _really_
well to itself. It's inexpensive and readily available. Make sure that
what you use is closed-cell.

The weatherstripping should do the job. It's what I use to provide the
seal on my vacuum pucks with good result. When you're done, remove the
boards and the weatherstripping is easily removed.

HTH

--
Morris Dovey
DeSoto Solar
DeSoto, Iowa USA
http://www.iedu.com/DeSoto/solar.html

"Gary A in KC" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Go to veneersupplies.com/joewoodworker.com for some good advice on vacuum
> bags and veneering.
> For my vac bag, I use a piece of scrap about 1 x 3. Rip in half. Into one
> edge of each piece, cut a V notch down the length. Glue a dowel into one
> side's v-notch. Index the 2 pieces back together with a dowel that goes
> vertically through one end into the other piece. The rounded dowel places
> pretty consistent pressure across the bag opening. I fold the opening over
> once or twice, then clamp the 2 pieces of wood around the folds. Seals
> perfectly every time.
>
> My 2 cents
>
> Gary in KC
>
>
>
> "mike hide" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
>> I have just got a new large vacuum veneering bag. I am using an old frig
>> compressor as a pump . this compressor will pull 25" of vacuum easily .
>>
>> the problem is sealing the bag . I have tried the two boards with sealing
>> tape , the pvc pipe method a la taunton veering book and the two boards
> with
>> a 1/2"dowel glued insert .....all top no avail .the pump will not pull
>> any
>> vacuum at all because I cammot get a decent seal .
>>
>> Any suggestions appreciated.......mjh
>>
>>

As my setup was as Gary suggested with the exception of doubling the bag
over , I tried that and doubling the bag over seems to do the trick
......thamks again.....mjh

Go to veneersupplies.com/joewoodworker.com for some good advice on vacuum
bags and veneering.
For my vac bag, I use a piece of scrap about 1 x 3. Rip in half. Into one
edge of each piece, cut a V notch down the length. Glue a dowel into one
side's v-notch. Index the 2 pieces back together with a dowel that goes
vertically through one end into the other piece. The rounded dowel places
pretty consistent pressure across the bag opening. I fold the opening over
once or twice, then clamp the 2 pieces of wood around the folds. Seals
perfectly every time.

My 2 cents

Gary in KC



"mike hide" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> I have just got a new large vacuum veneering bag. I am using an old frig
> compressor as a pump . this compressor will pull 25" of vacuum easily .
>
> the problem is sealing the bag . I have tried the two boards with sealing
> tape , the pvc pipe method a la taunton veering book and the two boards
with
> a 1/2"dowel glued insert .....all top no avail .the pump will not pull any
> vacuum at all because I cammot get a decent seal .
>
> Any suggestions appreciated.......mjh
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>