Q.V.P. Quick Press User Manual

INSTRUCTIONS FOR Q.V.P.

AE

12/18/01 Quick Press Instructions.cdr

Quick Press

Please read entirely before starting

The QuiK-Press (QP) is designed to be a light weight,
readily available press to veneer or laminate small FLAT
panels. It has limited height, so please do not overload it or
the frame will bend or worse, the poly will rip.

The QP is always ready to use, just attach your vacuum
pump and press. Its light weight makes it easy to move
around the shop. While the glue is drying, the QP can
(while still attached to the vacuum pump) be taken off the
bench and leaned against the wall (horizontal or vertical),
hung from hooks on a wall or ceiling, or stored in a wood
rack.

Materials List:

4 - 72“ side pieces (taped)
4 - 32" side pieces with corners attached
8 latches with 32 screws
2 - hinges with 12 Brass Screws
2 - poly 76" x 36" sheets (Etched)

25' Gasket tape 1/2" x 1/4”
1 - VCA(6)W VAKuum Connector Assm.
Instructions

Assembling the frames.

Lay the side and end pieces out on a table. Note that the
end pieces are paired, the "knobs" extend in different
directions. These knobs allow you to set the frame
sideways or upright without the frame touching the floor.
Assemble the frame by tapping the ends into the side with
a mallet. The flange on the long side pieces go to the
inside of the frame. The taped sides should be up and on
the outside of all pieces. When assembled, the corner
markings are to keep the end pieces paired together on a
side.

Etch the flanges.
Check the date of your invoice, if it's more than one week
from the time you start to assemble the QP, you should
etch the poly for better adhesion. Use PVC pipe cleaner
and wipe the outer 2-3 inches of the poly sheets.

Remove the paper covering from one end of the frame and
pat the poly sheet to stick it lightly to the frame. Do not
bend the flap down and stick it to the side at this time. Do
the same to the other end. Y ou want the poly to lay flat on
the frame without ripples. If it sags too much and you
have ripples, then pull up that end or side and reset. This is
why you only want to just tack it to the frame at this time.

When the poly is properly set, roll or rub it to make it stick to
the frame. Push out any bubbles. Then fold the poly over
and stick it to the outside of the frame. Y ou will have to trim
the corners. Do the same for the other frame.

Applying the Gasket material.

On one frame, apply the foam gasket. Start at the middle
of the long side about 1/8" in from the outer edge. Do not
stretch or pull the tape as you are laying it down. It should
be in a slight compression mode as you lay it down on the
poly. Curve around the corners. When you reach the
starting point overlap the two ends by 12" and butt the two
tightly together. This will give a good seal.

Attaching the hinges.
Lay the two assembled frames on top of each other with
the gasket material acting as a spacer. Use clamps to
squeeze the two frames to be about .125" apart (use a
couple of 1/8" drills or make a spacer. Lay the hinges on
the back side about 6" in from each end. Drill and tap for a
10-32 Brass screw. Drill the bottom (slotted) holes at the
bottom of the slot, this allows slippage during
compression. If you don't have the tap, drill a 5/32 hole and
self thread the hole with the screw. The aluminum is soft
enough to be self tapped. Don't over tighten the screws. If
you strip the threads and it doesn't hold, just move the
hinge over a ½" and redo it.

Attaching the latches.
On the front, place the latches 6" in from each corner. Also
place one in the center of the front and back side. Place a
latch 3” in from each corner of the two end pieces. Set the
top "hook" level with the slight radius of the top of the frame
(about 1/16” down). Drill two 7/64” holes for the self tapping
screws and install the top hook. Do not over tighten the
screws or they will strip. Place the latch so that it hooks
under the bottom frame and drill your holes. Apply the two
screws. Drawing A

Attaching the poly sheet:

With the taped side up, lay one sheet of poly (etched side
to the frame) on top and center it on the frame. The poly
should be about 2" longer all around the frame. Hold in
place with a couple of spring clamps along the side. Let
the poly sag a little in the center, don't pull it tight across the
frame.

CALL 1-800-547-5484 TODAY!

Or visit our site at www.qualityvak.com

NOTE: Initially, you may need to squeeze the frame with
clamps in order to get the latch over the hook.

Do not leave the frame latched when not in use. This will
cause the foam to “compression set“ and you may not get
a good seal, thus, making it necessary to replace the foam
gasket.

05/15/07 r3

Quality VAKuum Products, Inc.

74 Apsley St. - Hudson, MA 01749
Tel: [phone] - Fax: [phone]

Making the baseboard.

Your work should sit on a flat panel. This is a baseboard
that is no larger than 2' x 5' and can be 3/8" to ¾" thick. Cut
saw kerfs in both directions about 4" apart. If you use a
very narrow kerf saw blade (about .030"), then the
baseboard can act as your caul. Using the baseboard as
the caul reduces the total height of the materials in the
press. The thin kerfs will not telegraph through to the
veneer. (Verify with some testing first.) Round over all the
edges. See tips about additional saw kerfs.

Whatever material you use, it must stay flat. If it becomes
cupped, the panel you press can become cupped.

Attaching the VCA(6)W to the baseboard (Drawing B)

At the intersection of two saw kerfs, drill a 1-1/8" dia. hole
5/16" deep. Then drill a ¾" for VCA6 or 5/8” for VCA dia. Hole
through the baseboard making sure the exit hole is clean and
splinter free. Remove the nut, metal washers and rubber
washers. Push the brass piece through the baseboard so that
the bolt head is in the recessed hole (should be just below the
top of the baseboard). Place one of the rubber washers over
the stem and snug it to the baseboard. With the frame
press upside down, place the baseboard in the press and
close down the bottom so it touches the brass stem. Use a
1/2” dia. hole punch or a sharp knife and cut an X in the
poly over the hole in the barb. Push the poly down to the
rubber washer and trim the excess away. Do not over trim,
it should be a tight fit. Place the other rubber washer, large
metal washer then the lock washer. With one hand keep
the poly from twisting as you tighten the nut. Do not over
tighten.

Walk around the frame and squeeze the frame every 6
inches to see if it affects the leakage. If the gap on the back
side where the hinges are is too wide, you won't get a good
seal. Back the screws out of the top hinges and if it can
compress more and gives a better seal, you need to file the
screw holes into oval slots before putting the screws back
in.

Tips.
If your piece does not cover the VCA6, the bag will get
sucked into the hole and seal before full vacuum is
reached. Cover the hole with a 2 to 3" block ½" thick
(round all sharp edges).

If you made the kerfs with a thin blade, cut additional lines
radiating out from the 1 - 1/8" hole and intersecting the
other saw kerfs. This improves evacuation time. With 1/8"
saw kerfs this is not necessary as they are about 4 times
wider than those made with the thin saw blades.

If you attached the VCA6W without a baseboard and the
head comes down on your caul, the caul must have a
length of mesh along it or the top of the caul must have saw
kerfs on it. Without either, the air has nowhere to travel as
the poly top will come down and self seal around the
VCA6W.

Stay Lifter

Top

Foam Tape

Bottom

Attaching the VCA(6)W without a
baseboard(Drawing C)

Remove all washers but the rubber one and the large
metal one next to the bolt head. Drawing C. Place the
VCA(6)W inside the frame where you want it in the poly
(can be the top or bottom frame). Where the barb presses
against the poly , punch a 1/2“ dia. Hole or cut an X (with a
sharp knife) and then push the barb through the poly down
to the rubber washer. Trim the excess poly from around
the stem of the VCA(6)W. Put the other rubber, large
metal and lock washer on the stem that is outside the poly
sheet. Tighten the nut.

You must be aware of several factors when using the QP
without a baseboard. The bolt head should have several
slots filed in the top of the hex head. This allows for better
air evacuation. The head should come down on the top of
your caul or some mesh material. If the poly comes
directly down on the hex head, it will self seal and you will
not get full evacuation from the press. The air must
always have a path to get to the vacuum hole, whether it
be mesh or saw kerfs in your baseboard or caul, it needs a
path, no matter how small, to the vacuum hole. If the head
comes down on a smooth surface, the poly will self seal
around the head and prevent evacuation.

Do Not Leave Quick Press Latched
When not in Use!

T esting the frame press.

Cover the VCA6 with a piece of stock or mesh and close
the lid. Attach the pump and turn on. It should pump down
and the automatic controller will shut the pump off. If it
cycles on and off every two minutes or less and the cycles
do not lengthen in time, you have a leak.