
INSTRUCTIONS FOR Replacing a
AF
10/18/2012 r3 Replacing The Frame Press Top Instructions.cdr
Remove the old top by pulling it off the aluminum 
frame. Clean the frame with acetone or PVC pipe 
cleaner that does not leave a film.
NOTE: If you are just re-sticking the existing top 
to the frame clean the old top with acetone/PVC 
pipe cleaner being careful not to use an access, 
as acetone and PVC pipe cleaner etches the poly 
top. If an excess is used and puddles, it will soften 
the poly .
Apply the High Tack thin Adhesive Tape to the 
frame. This is a very aggressive tape. Hold the roll 
in one hand after sticking it down at one end and 
unroll the tape while guiding it in place along the 
frame. Use your thumb on one side of the frame 
and forefinger on the other to guide the tape. 
Leave the paper on the top side for now. At the 
end of a side, cut the tape flush with the end.
Frame Press Top
The top will fit inside the frame. The 2 1/2“ flange 
from the T op should sit on the frame without any 
bunching or ripples along the frame. The top is 
slightly smaller than the frame to eliminate the 
possibilities of wrinkle or bunching of the 
material. Hold each corner with a spring clamp 
and make sure the top is centered.
Remove about 12“ of the paper backing material 
from the tape from the center of one end only. 
Press the flange in place as you continue 
removing the backing form the tape. DO NOT 
PRESS THE FLANGE IN WITH MUCH FORCE AT 
THIS TIME. You may have to pull up the flange if 
you did not center correctly. Do the same for the 
other end. The sides should be ripple free, 
remove the backing material and press the sides 
in place. Again st art at the center working toward 
the end.
Start the next side by butting the tape at the 
corner where you just finished the first strip. And 
continue around until all four sides have been 
taped. Now tape the outside of the frame as you 
did the bottom. At this point you need to roll the 
tape with a dowel or rounded piece of stock so 
that it is firmly adhered to the frame and most of 
the air bubbles have been removed. Air bubbles 
can be removed by pushing them aside.
If you are applying a replacement top, it’s a good 
idea to etch the flange with PVC pipe cleaner 
(area that will stick to the frame). It was etched the 
day it left the factory and should be etched again 
if over 5 day has elapsed from shipping date. An 
etched surface provides a better surface for the 
adhesive to grab.
T o assemble the Gusset top to the frame, elevate 
the frame off the table with blocks from the 
bottom side (tape) up. This allows you to drop the 
Top inside the frame. Hold the top in place with 
several spring clamps.
Once the top is stuck in place, take a dowel or 
hard roller and roll around the frame to press the 
top in place. If you make a mistake  in a short 
length, you can pull the top and reset it.
Applying the Foam Gasket T ape: 
Apply the foam gasket tape around the outside 
edge of the bottom of the frame . Drawing B. 
Remove about 12 - 18" of backing and start in the 
center of the front side and work your way around 
the frame. Make a smooth curve at the corners 
as in Drawing B. When you come around to the 
beginning,    run the tape to the inside of the 
Foam Gasket tape just applied, thus making the 
two rows parallel and tight to each other. This 
will give you a long joint that will be vacuum tight. 
Note: The second row of tape should go to the 
inside corner, thus, place the first row 
appropriately. 
CALL 1-800-547-5484 TODAY!
Or visit our site at www.qualityvak.com
Quality VAKuum Products, Inc.
OVER
74 Apsley St. - Hudson, MA 01749 
Tel: 978-562-4680 - Fax: 978-562-4681

INSTRUCTIONS FOR ASSEMBLING 
THE VAKUUM FRAME PRESS
Formica Top: It is very important that the Formica 
finish be a smooth and not a matte finish.
If you made a table with a matte finish, wax the outer 3“ 
(around the baseboard) of our table top. This will do 
two things, give a smother finish plus a better vacuum 
seal and the wax makes it easier to remove glue squeeze 
out from the table top.
A frame press (FP) has a very large area to 
seal (up to 35') and it tends to cause the 
pump to cycle on and off more often than a 
bag.  Under normal conditions a FP will 
cycle every 3 to 5 minutes. Some have 
achieved up to a 60 minute cycle by paying 
close attention to details and adding a 
vacuum tank.
Tips from an experienced user: To increase the 
holding force of the high tack adhesive tape that holds 
the top to the bottom of the frame, apply duct tape 
around the inside of the frame and down on to the top. 
This not only provides additional holding force but 
most importantly also keeps sawdust from getting on to 
the high tack tape. If the duct tape is not added, the high 
tack adhesive tape will loose it’s adhesive quality and 
will need to be replaced periodically depending on the 
frequency of use and dust level in the shop.
Duct
Poly Top
Tape
Poly Top
You can improve the seal by applying a 
small bead of Silicone II around the inside 
edge of the gasket material. The key is not 
to have it wider than 1/8” where it touches 
your table top. If it's too wide, it can prevent 
the gasket from compressing because the 
silicone is much denser than the gasket 
material. If this happens, the frame doesn't 
compress evenly and you could be worse 
off.  Better to apply a smaller amount and 
add more latter than to apply too much.
Also when applying the tape make sure to 
butt the 2nd row against the 1st row. (The 
gap in this drawing is only to show 2 rows.)
Drawing B
Gasket
BASE BOARD
Silicone II
TABLE TOP
CALL 1-800-547-5484 TODAY!
Or visit our site at www.qualityvak.com
Quality VAKuum Products, Inc.
Make sure you pat the poly top to the 
table top between the frame and the 
baseboard before pulling vacuum.  
This is important to keep the top from 
bending the frame in or pulling the top 
off the frame when under vacuum.  
You have 400 to 500 lbs of force per 
linear foot pressing the poly top to the 
table, thus, keeping it from pulling on 
the aluminum frame.
74 Apsley St. - Hudson, MA 01749 
Tel: 978-562-4680 - Fax: 978-562-4681