Q.V.P. VAKUUM FRAME PRESS User Manual

INSTRUCTIONS FOR ASSEMBLING

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11/15/12 - Frame Press Instructions.cdr REV 12

Your "Q.V .P." frame press is unique in that it has
a 6" or 24” high top. This special Gusset box top
gives over twice the height of conventional frame
presses. This means pressing more flat panels at
one time or large curved pieces can be pressed in
place. In addition, unlike others, it is made with
one piece of material with only 8" or 24”of seam
at each corner . This means less chance of failure
due to seam delamination.

Y our Frame Press Includes:

Lifters
VCA6F (VAKuum Connector

THE VAKUUM FRAME PRESS

Polyurethane 6" or 24” top
Aluminum side frames, with adhesive
tape applied.
Corner Brackets
Foam Gasket Material
Instructions
Bleeder V alve
Hinges
T oggle Clamps and screws

Assembly)

IMPORTANT: Your table top must be flat and non­porous or the frame will leak. Unlike a vacuum bag
that only has one or two short sides to seal, the frame
press has a long linear perimeter that must be sealed.
Do not be concerned if your vacuum pump cycles on
and off more often than when using a vacuum bag.

Building the T able Top

A Smooth, FLAT NONPOROUS TABLE TOP IS
ESSENTIAL IN GETTING A GOOD VACUUM
SEAL. You must spend the time to get it flat for

trouble free frame pressing.
The table top should be made from 3/4" or thicker
MDF, plywood or particle board. A single sheet is
best, however, you can splice 2 sheets together for the
larger press. Once the table top is cut to size apply a
single sheet of SMOOTH
plastic laminate to the top (NON MATTE FINISH).
This will make the top nonporous which is very
important. If you need to have a joint, apply a bead of
Silicone II to the joint and push the second piece into
the joint and wipe leaving a slight crown. A slight
hump of silicone where the gasket material touches
the seam is a better seal than a slight valley below the
gasket.

The frame should take about 1 to 2 hours to
assemble depending on its size. Building the
table can take a day or two.. The following chart
is used to size your table top.

Frame Size

I.D.

25” x 25”

54” x 54”

54” x 54”

54” x 102”

54” x 126”

54” x 126”

66” x 102”

66” x 126”

66” x 126”

If you have a special size frame press, add 2.5"
to the inside length and width to determine the
table top size.

T able Top Size

O.D.

27.5” x 27.5”

56.5” x 56.5”

56.5” x 56.5”

56.5” x 104.5”

56.5” x 128.5”

56.5” x 128.5”

68.5” x 104.5”

68.5” x 128.5”

68.5” x 128.5”

CALL 1-800-547-5484 TODAY!

Or visit our site at www.qualityvak.com

TABLE TOP

BOX FRAME

DRAWING A

Quality VAKuum Products, Inc.

BRACKETS

OVER

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

INSTRUCTIONS FOR ASSEMBLING

THE VAKUUM FRAME PRESS

7/11/12 - Frame Press Instructions.cdr Page 2

The key to the top laying flat is the box frame that
supports the top. Straight, dry 2"X6"‘s are
recommended. Joint the edges if necessary to make
them straight. Make the box as shown in DRAWING
A. Use brackets or cleats to hold the table top to the
frame box. Use short screws to attach the brackets to
the underside of the tabletop. Do not puncture the top
surface with a screw as it will cause a leak. This method
is used as it allows for shimming the tabletop to assure
flatness. Level the top with shims if necessary. This is
the most important step in building the table. If it’ s not
flat, you could have leakage. Also, if it’s cupped, you
could press a curve into your piece. Once the tabletop is
completed, it can be used to assemble the frame press.

Applying the SMOOTH Laminate

If you can, purchase a sheet of laminate that will cover
the table in one piece. If you have a seam, apply a bead
of silicone II along the joint and push the second piece
into it, thus filling the seam. Remove the excess. It’s
best to leave a slight crown at the joint rather than a
slight depression. Where the gasket material comes
down on the seal, it will seal better on a slight crown
rather than into a depression.

Assembling the Frame Press

Lay the aluminum frame pieces on the table and
assemble the joints. Place the steel corner brackets
inside the aluminum frame. Slide each joint together.
Screw the frame to the connectors with the 1/4-20
phillips head screws using the pre-drilled holes.

Assembling the T op to the Frame:

To assemble the Gusset Top to the frame, elevate the
frame 6" or more off the table with blocks with the
bottom side (tape) up. This allows you to drop the T op
inside the frame. Hold the top in place with several
spring clamps. The Top will fit inside the frame. The
2 1/2" flange from the Top 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 wrinkles or bunching of the material.
Hold each corner with a spring clamp and make sure the
top is centered.

Note: If you didn't install the frame press when
received, you should re-etch the bag top if it's more than
one week after shipping date as per the packing slip..
Etch the bag flange (the side that will stick to the tape
on the aluminum frame) with PVC pipe cleaner.
Etching will give better adhesion.

Remove about 12" of the backing material from the tape
from the center of one end only. Press the flange in place
as you continue removing the backing from the tape. DO

NOT PRESS THE FLANGE WITH MUCH FORCE
A T THIS TIME. You may have to pull up the flange if

you did not center the top correctly . Do the same for the
other end. The long lengths should be ripple free,
remove the backing material and press the long length in
place. Again starting in the center and working toward
the end. At this point you have the bottom stuck in place.

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. Now remove the paper from the side of the frame
and roll the remainder of the flange to the side. Trim
excess.

Applying the Foam Gasket T ape:

Apply the foam gasket tape, to the poly top, 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.

CALL 1-800-547-5484 TODAY!

Or visit our site at www.qualityvak.com

Quality VAKuum Products, Inc.

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

INSTRUCTIONS FOR ASSEMBLING

THE VAKUUM FRAME PRESS

7/11/12 - Frame Press Instructions.cdr Page 3

Making the Baseboard

Y ou must make a baseboard or platen for inside the frame.
It is similar to the baseboard used in a vacuum bag with
saw kerfs 1/8 - 3/16' deep, every 6 to 10" in both
directions. This helps improve the seal and cuts down on
leakage problems. The baseboard dimensions should be
6" less than the inside of the frame, thus giving a

minimum 3" space Around the frame. Since it lays flat
on the tabletop, it can be anywhere from 3/8" to 3/4"
thick. You must round all the edges to eliminate all
sharp corners. Do not screw the Baseboard to your
table top, it will cause leaks, use contact cement or just
let it lay in place.

NOTE: The 3" gap between the baseboard and the
inside of the frame, helps improve the vacuum seal.
Also make sure you push the bag flat on the table
around the perimeter of the baseboard when you are
pulling vacuum. This will improve the seal and prevent
the bag from pulling off the frame.

Installing the VCA6F:

You will need to install a VAKuum Connector
Assembly (VCA6F) into your table top as per Drawing
D. Drill a 3/4" hole (check the diameter of your
VCA6F) in your table where you wish to place the
VCA6F. The center of the VCA6F must be below an
intersection of the grid lines (saw kerfs) on your
baseboard.

Countersink a relief hole in the bottom of your
baseboard for the VCA6F bolt head and washers to fit
into. Depending on the thickness of your baseboard,
the top nut on the VCA6F may come completely
through the baseboard. The VCA6F must be slightly
below the baseboard. Also, never let the gusset top
cover the VCA6F as it can seal the vacuum hole.
Always have something on top of the VCA6F
(workpiece, piece of board with all edges rounded,
etc.).

If you use a thick baseboard, you will need to drill a 1/2"
hole through the baseboard that lines up with the
VCA6F. Your hole through the baseboard must be at
the intersection of a saw kerf (DRAWING D). If you
made a mistake and the VCA6F doesn't line up with a
grid line on the top of your baseboard, just cut another
grid line that connects to the existing grid and goes
across the hole.

At this point the Frame Press is ready to use. Use the
rubber snap clamps to hold the frame in place. If you
use mechanical clamps to hold the frame down, you can
have uneven pressure, this will cock the frame and
cause leakage. For those who are going to dedicate the
Frame Press to the table, attach the hinges.

Attaching the Hinges:

The bottom of the hinges have oval slots. The frame
must be able to be squashed down when under vacuum,
thus the bottom screws should be loose. Set the frame
in place on top of the table with hinges hanging down
over the back of the table. When the frame is locked in
place, the gap between the table top and the aluminum
frame should be about 3/16". Put the screws in at the
bottom of the slots, this allows the back of the press to
move down when vacuum is applied.

Warning: Do not attach the hinge at a right angle to

the table top. The frame must be able to compress
the foam, therefore, it must free to float. If the
hinge is on top of the table, the hinge knuckle will
keep the foam from compressing and pr ovide a seal

T oggle Clamps:

The toggle clamps are to help create a seal until vacuum
pressure generates enough force to maintain its own
seal. See diagram on page 7 for placement. See
diagram E for installation.

CALL 1-800-547-5484 TODAY!

Or visit our site at www.qualityvak.com

Quality VAKuum Products, Inc.

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