Pin Hole Repair In Veneer Vacuum Bag

10/26/2012


From original questioner:

I have a pin hole in my Veneer vacuum bag. I used a small piece of duct tape, but it only worked for one pressing. Is there a good sealer or glue that is made for veneer bags that can seal my Pin hole in Bag. pin hole is right at seam area. Thanks

From contributor Jo


Hello Jeffrey,

There is a patch kit available and it comes with a small patch and a tube of Seam Grip adhesive. Seam Grip adhesive is used for repairing both vinyl and polyurethane bags.

From contributor la


If it is PVC, HDepot carries the pvc membrane glue used in shower pans. Use a scrap of clear 20ml pvc. Usually a local plastics company will stock it.

From contributor Je


anyway to tell which type of bag I have? looks like two different seam repair kit numbers. Thank you

From contributor Jo


FWIW, my vinyl bag came with a waterbed patch kit.

From contributor Je


My bag is vinyl. Just checked with prior owner. I assuming that that means its PVC type. After using for pressing yesterday it appears to now have 6 small holes. bag is around 6 years old. Age must deteriorate the bag at seam lines, because I've olny used it for 12 pressings and prior owner only used it twice.

From contributor la


I have always made the bags. I havent had a problem with the pvc deteriorating, but it is not the strongest material. I usually would hit the pvc with a sharp corner and puncture a hole in it. Or tear a hole when sealing using the two rigid pvc pipe technique. I now use a flip top press with a gum rubber membrane.
It helps to develop a technique where you minimize the risk of tearing the membrane. I used a 3/4" thick platen, grooved for vacuum distribution, that stays in the membrane. the work can be slid in on top of the platen easier. Fabricate two brackets to hold the upper half of the membrane open. They can be removed quickly. This is good when pressing larger items, say an 8' solid core door with quarter sawn sappeli. Right?

From contributor Jo


If the edge is blue it is polyurethane. If the edge is yellow it is vinyl.