The VS Elite™ vacuum bagging material has been designed for VeneerSupplies.com using an advanced thermoplastic polyurethane that can withstand pressures exceeding 3,750 PSI and stretch more than 6 times its width and length*. Our polyurethane film has superior resilience and unmatched puncture resistance. Made in the USA.
Each bag is welded with a state-of-the-art custom RF welding machine operating at 7,000 watts and 50 lb/in of pressure. This exact combination of frequency and clamp strength yields the most durable and airtight seam available. Each bag then undergoes a series of inspections including a final check that I do prior to shipment.
*Elongation and breaking strength based on ASTMD 412 test method.
Critical Information: Updated Stem Fitting
Our vacuum bags now come with a new style brass stem that works with the new lock-on connector included with all vacuum press kits purchased after February 10, 2020. The new lock-on connector and the required barb fitting for vacuum press systems purchased before the update can be ordered here.
Features
Each Bag Includes
Product Notes
Breather Mesh Option
Be sure to order breather mesh with your vacuum bag. It eliminates the need for a grooved top platen board which can often be heavy and difficult to set over a project panel. The mesh prevents the trapping of air pockets inside the bag that cause veneer bubbles, and it makes it much easier to remove any glue that seeps through the veneer face. Learn more about breather mesh on this page of the JoeWoodworker website.
Free Shipping on Breather Mesh
The shipping charge for breather mesh can be quite expensive, but we have a way to save you some money. There is no additional shipping charge on breather mesh when ordered along with a vacuum bag using the option menu above. This discount does not apply if the mesh is ordered from the product page.
How do I attach my vacuum tube to this bag?
Our lock-on connector is required to connect a vacuum tube to this vacuum bag. This connector is included with all of our vacuum press kits.
Do I need a top and bottom platen for the vacuum bag?
A bottom platen is required for flat panel work. Most large home centers offer 3/4" thick melamine board which works very well. The bottom platen does not need to have grooves cut into it. Breather mesh placed over the veneer panel is typically easier than using a top platen - which can be heavy and awkward. Breather mesh also makes it easier to remove glue bleed-through on the veneer.
How large should I make the bottom platen?
The platen should match the nominal size of the bag. In other words, if you have a 4' x 6' vacuum bag, then the bottom platen should be 48" x 72".
Can I put a small project in a large vacuum bag?
Yes. There is no harm using a large bag to press a small project.
If I use a large vacuum bag for a small project, do I need to seal off the unused area inside?
No. Generally speaking, there isn't much "loose" or "free" air inside the unused part of a vacuum bag. If you are using a large bag for a small project, there is not much to be gained by closing off the unused area with a secondary bag closure.
Can I press multiple projects in a single bag at the same time?
Yes. Small panels can be set side by side in a large vacuum bag. Use breather mesh over each panel instead of a top platen. You can also stack identical sized projects on top of one another if a piece of wax paper is placed between them. This will prevent glue squeeze-out from bonding the panels to each other. Be careful not to stack so many panels inside that it causes the bag seams to pull apart.
Does the vacuum bag have to stay connected to the vacuum press after full vacuum is achieved?
Yes. This is because a perfect seal on a vacuum bag is virtually impossible. Here are some things to consider...
If the vacuum system is disconnected from the bag, you won't know if there is a leak because there is no vacuum gauge in/on the bag. With the bag connected to a vacuum press system, the vacuum level is visible on system gauge. The vacuum inside the system is the same amount of vacuum inside the bag. If the vacuum press cycles on and off frequently during a project pressing, a leak can be recognized and then fixed. However, if the leak can not be immediately repaired then at least the system can try to maintain the correct vacuum level in the bag until the panel is finished.
Can I use this bag with a vacuum press from a different company?
To use this vacuum bag with a vacuum press from another manufacturer, you may simply need to remove the existing connector on the vacuum tube and replace it with our "new" style lock-on connector.
Does epoxy stick to this polyurethane material?
I have experimented with our polyurethane material using several brands of epoxy, and it released from the test samples without issue. However, I've have received differing opinions about this from our customers, and my guess is that it depends on the type of epoxy, how much epoxy comes in contact with the material, and how often the vacuum bag is used in this capacity.
One of our customers recently wrote...
"We're using West epoxy, and have had zero problems with the material sticking to the bags. Just pops right off. We're using it neat, and also with microfiber thickeners, and I can say there's no need to worry about sticking with West epoxy and these polyurethane bags." - Kenny Delapp, Albuquerque Joinery
Do you offer samples of this polyurethane material?
Yes. Please click here for details.
What else should I know about the bag?
The maximum project size that is listed for this bag is approximate. It may vary by one inch due to tolerances in the manufacturing process. The maximum project size also depends on the total thickness of the platen and project. The usable size of the project panel can be maximized by using breather mesh instead of a top platen. It is critically important to avoid using a platen that is too large for the bag which will cause the seams to pull apart.
Where can I find more answers to vacuum bag questions?
The JoeWoodworker FAQ page has a large section of information specifically about vacuum bags.
Review by Mark Baber
Rating:
Bought the 4x4 poly VS Elite bag and like the flexibility and memory of the material. Roll it up, put back in box it came in, and doesn’t take up needed space. Would definitely buy again.
Review by Stew (Steve) Holmes
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The bag construction and materials are impressive. I like that it doesn't have edge seams like most bags. Hard to pop a bag that is seamless! Shipping was fast and reasonably priced. This is a good place to buy veneering tools and equipment. Satisfied customer here.
Review by Manny Greene
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Polyurethane vacuum bags are better than vinyl in nearly every way so this is what I bought. I had a vinyl bag but it was damaged beyond repair due a stupid mistake I made. There is nothing fancy about this poly bag. Its just a brass stem, pipe-closure which is so much easier than the zip type bags, and the 20 mil thick polyurethane sealed on three sides. They shipped it out within a few hours of me entering the order (wow!) and sent me the tracking number in an email along with some other information. Works perfect with the V2 vacuum press I bought here several years ago which also works perfect after all these years.
[Note from Joe: The 4 ft wide bags are actually just sealed on one end since the two long ends are seamless.]
Review by Travis R. Smith
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Veneer Supplies has lots of great stuff for vacuum pressing and this bag is one of them. The polyurethane is very stretchy - way, way more than vinyl. I own a vinyl bag from a competing supplier and it is junk compared to the polyurethane material. I feels like something that will last for decades. Expensive yes, but it will pay for itself over a bit of time.
I really like ordering from this site. They ship very quick for example, I ordered this bag during my lunch hour and I had tracking number emailed to me before I got home from work that evening. Great prices and customer service round out the whole purchase experience.
Review by Austin Ring
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I waited to review this product until after using it extensively. I've glued up 15 3'x3' double sided pieces so far (and many, many more smaller pieces with a smaller version of the bag) and each bag is perfect. I am not super careful with them (just by my nature), and their heavy-duty-ness is impressive. I load my piece, vacuum out the bag, then confidently disconnect my air compressor and leave the glue-up to sit overnight. I have yet to lose any vacuum pressure from a bag. Every glue-up has gone perfectly. Definitely recommend this product.
[Note from Joe: It does seem impressive that this customer's bags are holding a perfect seal, but I would never suggest removing the vacuum source from the bag during a pressing. This is just inviting disaster as it is uncommon for a bag to hold vacuum perfectly.]
Review by Jeffrey Owens
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I bought this bag to laminate some vintage lumber into ceiling beams. The core material was very rough and I wasnt sure how well the bag would hold up to this kind of use. I am happy report that the bag worked very well and shows no signs of fatigue. I can attest that the polyurethane material is very durable.
Review by Scott Conradson
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Over the past few years I've acquired several bags from Joe for various sized projects. All have worked well, this one is better. It has the right trade off of resilience vs strength, and seems to seal more reliably. Though I've only used it on one project so far - panels for built in closet doors - based on other bags I expect it will also have a long trouble free life.
Review by K. Mitchell
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High quality bags with good seams and connector. Very happy with quality of product and Joe's service.
Have bought from him before and will do so again.
Review by Ron Brunton
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Very glad that I purchased this vacuum bag, together with the lock-on vacuum connector. Even with the cost of international postage, it was still less expensive than anything I could get locally. It is robust, and easier to set up with my vacuum pump than other bags I have used. I was very also very happy with the personalized service I received from Joe.
Review by Brian Cozloff
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Ordered two days ago and here it is in my shop. This vacuum bag will undoubtedly get a lot of use so I stepped up and went with the polyurethane version. This was a good deal because comparable vacuum bags are 35% more money. Everything about the bag speaks to its quality. I have to say that I'm impressed with the customer service here. There are few mom-n-pop outfits out there anymore in the internet world. This is a rare example of a company that does things right.
Review by Herb Yost
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That VS Elite Polyurethane bag is the cat’s meow. In terms of performance, drape, ease of sliding in the work piece, cleanup of glue, etc it’s a Mercedes compared to the Yugo of the vinyl bags I used before. The only thing that sometimes frustrates me is that the VS Elite Polyurethane is so slippery and flexible that it’s hard to get the tubular bag closer on before the glue starts to set. The only time this is not a problem is when the table width is the same size/larger than the width of the bag. I rate this product highly.
Review by Mark J
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By far the most durable bag I've ever used. I'm using it with high school students to make among other things, skateboards. It really takes a bit of abuse by the kids but it's still going strong.
Review by Charles Bingham
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If you are thinking that I can just use clamps to press veneer to save money... get used to disappointment. I can't tell you how many times I used clamps and ended up finding areas that bubbled up due to uneven and inadequite clamping pressure.
I think you will find that the extra money spent is worth it for poly over vinyl.
Buy one size bigger than you think you will need. You don't want to have you project going right up to the edge of the bag... it can be hard on the seams. Plus, you always seem to have a bigger project come up and you wish you had the larger bag.
This is a great buy that you will not regret.
Save yourself anguish, the right tools always make a project go easier. I know I love my vacuum press and wish I had bought it earlier.
Review by John G.
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These polyurethane bags are built like tanks. I have to admit to abusing my bag on more than one occassion and it's always held strong. Each time I pull the bag out to use it I cant help but smile a bit when I think of the torture its been through. Several months ago I put a huge oversized cylinder in it and pulled a vacuum just "to see what would happen". During the process it dawned on me that I was really stressing the bag and could have killed it. To my surprise, the bag held up and the cyclinder test was a success. Like the other reviewer said, these bags are expensive but in this world you get what you pay for. Think of it as an investment. I think its worth it.
Review by Marcus Griffin
Rating:
Yes, the polyurethane bags are expensive but you get what you pay for. The material is a silicone-like product (very stretchy) and if you stretch it out, it returns to the normal shape. I chose the 4x4 bag because most of my projects are small card tables.
Review by Gerald Moore
Rating:
Everything about this vacuum press bag says QUALITY. The stem idea is excellent. The weld on the bag is flawless. The poly material is more durable than I could have imagined. I use the bag several times each week in my music instrument repair business for holding down parts while glue is drying and each time, I am amazed by how resilient this material is. I doubt you find a better product anywhere and at such a good price. Hats off to Joe and Christine for making this easy and affordable.