VacuSeal problem

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Dancinbaer

Dancinbaer

SGF, Supreme Grumble Framer
Joined
Apr 26, 2002
Posts
1,267
Loc
De Pere, WI
I went to drymount using my Vacuseal. Preheated as usual. Hit the vacuum switch. It took a short time for the lights to start as usual. The lights started coming on. Usually the last couple lights take a little longer. But this time, the lights flickered downwards and settled with only half of them lit. There they stayed. I waited a couple minutes then shut the machine off. Opened the press. Rearranged the boards inside. Closed it up and tried again. This time the lights made it to the top, backed down a few, slowly went up again and stayed, but the top few flickered a few times during the dwell time.

Any ideas?
 
That sounds like a seal problem around the edges.

Check for the machine being level
Check for any leaks in the hoses
Check for clearance to the exhaust holes
 
Maybe it's time to reset your hinges. Sometimes they get out of adjustment from routine use. Heat the press, close the lid and turn it on for a few minutes. While it is running, loosen all of the screws on the hinges' slotted holes. Then make sure the lid is properly seated with full vacuum, and then retighten all of the screws.

Another issue could be the liner of felt on the floor of your machine. I once had a problem similar to yours, and it turned out that the felt liner had become compressed and lost its ability to let the air through. The porous liner is necessary to allow all of the air to escape to the two vacuum ports in the back corners. Without that, some air can become trapped, fouling the vacuum pressure.

I replaced the compressed felt with a piece of fiberglas window screen material, and that was a permanent fix.
 
Jim - thanks for that add on........... I was interrupted in my posting and didn't have time to add that in.


To add to Jim's second comment - yard goods felt from any fabric store is the best replacement material(equivalent) to the OEM felt. I never thought of the screen material.
 
Jim Miller said:
Maybe it's time to reset your hinges. Sometimes they get out of adjustment from routine use. Heat the press, close the lid and turn it on for a few minutes. While it is running, loosen all of the screws on the hinges' slotted holes. Then make sure the lid is properly seated with full vacuum, and then retighten all of the screws.

Another issue could be the liner of felt on the floor of your machine. I once had a problem similar to yours, and it turned out that the felt liner had become compressed and lost its ability to let the air through. The porous liner is necessary to allow all of the air to escape to the two vacuum ports in the back corners. Without that, some air can become trapped, fouling the vacuum pressure.

I replaced the compressed felt with a piece of fiberglas window screen material, and that was a permanent fix.
Click to expand...

Jim,

Finally took the time to do as you suggested. Replaced the felt with the screen and adjusted the hinges. Lights go to the top and stay there now.

Thanks much,
 
Glad to hear you got that fixed Denny. Those were all good tips and I wanted to add one other to the list in case someone else has a future problem and researches this thread.

We had a similar problem at the local HL where I managed after Ivan chased me back to IL a few years ago. The vacuum wouldn't draw at all or it drew a partial vacuum and then dumped off. We called the "district framer" who was a self appointed know it all and she came in and immediately "adjusted" the hinges without even drawing down any vacuum or closing the platen lid!! Now it took 2 men and a strong boy to lean on the platen to get any vacuum at all!!

I started troubleshooting the machine, a company no-no BTW, and found a loose hose on the junction way in the back where the collector dumps out into the exhaust hose to the vacuum pump. (It is a clear plastic hose and is easy to see once you squeeze back in there far enough to see it!!) Since I didn't know at the time what held the hose onto the exhaust fitting of the press, (I could find no clamp or any other zip tie or attaching part lying around behind the press or on the floor under it), I did what any experienced well meaning veteran framer would do, ............................. I wrapped the fitting, hose, and about all of the portion of the exhaust section of the press in ............................... uh huh, DUCT TAPE!!!

We got an immediate draw of full vacuum and had no problems with that press up until the time I left to move back to Florida! I'd bet the tape is STILL on that hose!! I'm not condoning the use of Duct tape for a permanent fix but I am pointing out that some vacuum problems do emanate from the rear of the press rather than the front.
 
Framerguy,

Thanks for the additional info. I had pulled the press out from the corner it is in to get behind. I saw the hoses you refer to. Put my fingers by each connection to check for air but didn't feel any. I saw the hoses go under a sheet metal enclosure. But didn't want to start dismantelling the machine until I tried Jim's suggestion.

Questions like this remind me of what teachers would tell us in school:"Ask any question, chances are someone else has the same question but is to shy to ask".

I'm printing out this thread to keep on file. Hopefully I won't need it.

Thanks again Jim and Framerguy.
 
Denny,

I taught in a community college for 13 years. My students weren't rocket scientists but they were very mechanically inclined and, whenever one of them would start their question with, "I know this is a dumb question, ....." or "This may be a stupid question but, .......", I would tell them

"The only 'dumb' or 'stupid' questions are those you have but never ask." There are always others who had encountered the same problem or had the same question but never trusted anyone to ask them for an answer. So I never hesitate when there are questions asked to render what I know and let them take what they can from the answers.

(Hey that almost sounds like a rip-off of Ellen's by-line!!) Sorry, Bossy, I didn't mean to plagiarize your dictum!!;)
 
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