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    Build Your Own Vacuum Press

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VS Extreme™
Polyurethane Vacuum Bag
2' x 4'
* Special Savings! *

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Regular Price:
$190.00
Your Price:
$152.00   ($38.00 Savings!)
Customer Rating:
Breather Mesh:

 

VS Extreme™ is the ultimate vacuum bag. Each bag is made from an extra-thick (30 mil) polyurethane material that has been designed for VeneerSupplies.com using an advanced thermoplastic capable of withstanding pressures exceeding 3,750 PSI and stretching more than 6 times its width and length*. VS Extreme vacuum bags offer 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

  • Flush-Mount Valve StemFlush-Mount Bag Stem - The VS Extreme vacuum bag also includes our flush-mount bag stem assembly that allows you to use the full length of the vacuum bag without worry of project surface damage. A specially designed 2.5" diameter 50 mil flange is molded onto the polyurethane stem body and is permanently welded onto each bag. This creates an 80 mil total thickness reinforcement area for maximum durability. A lock-on connector is required to attach your vacuum tube to the bag stem.
  •  
  • Lubricant Infusion - VS Extreme vacuum bags are infused with a non-transferring lubricant that works in several ways to make vacuum bagging easy and trouble-free. This lubricant prevents most woodworking adhesives from sticking to the bag. Glue that sets on the bag simply peels right off. Unlike traditional urethane material, infused polyurethane allows the user to easily slide the platens and project panel into the bag without "blocking" or binding. The slippery surface makes inserting project panels a breeze.
  •  
  • Superior Resilience - Months of extensive testing resulted in a custom formulation that is unsurpassed in durability. VS Extreme bagging material typically withstands 650% more use than standard 30 mil vinyl.

Vacuum Pump Inside a Vacuum BagAdditional Information

  • Actual Size: 27" x 54"
  • Approximate Project Size: 24" x 48"
  • Material Thickness: 30 Mil
  • Material Variance: +/- 1 Mil
  • Total Thickness: 60 Mil
  • Transparency: Slightly Opaque
  • Softening Point: 150° F
  • Melting Point: 320° F

Each Bag Includes

  • Attached Flush-Mount Bag Stem
  • 29" Bag Closure
  • Detailed Care and Instruction Sheet

Product Notes

  • pg-closure-included.gifThe opening on this bag is on the 27" side.
  • Click here to download the PDF instructions.
  • A lock-on connector is required to connect a vacuum line to this bag. The lock-on connector is included with all of our vacuum press kits.
  • This bag is sealed on three sides. Some users prefer to have two opposing open ends so that a shop helper can assist with loading larger projects from the other end of the bag. To do this, purchase an additional bag closure and simply trim off the end seal.
  • The vacuum flange is RF welded to the center of the bag (left to right) and approximately 15" in front of the bag opening.
  • Punctures, bursting, and misuse are not covered by any warranty. Do not use vacuum levels exceeding 25" Hg. Be sure to protect the bag from sharp edges on project panels by covering or rounding-over any areas that could cause a puncture or tear in the bag material. Smooth the corners and all edges on the platen boards.
  • Do not allow the bag to be vacuumed into or under any openings (even small ones) in the project or form/mold. Vacuum can cause the bag to pull into these openings and create a reverse bubble which will burst. The resulting damage is not covered by any warranty and will not likely be repairable. Use a suitable material that safely covers these openings and prevents the bag material from going inside the project or form.

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 24" x 48" 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.



Questions & Answers

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...

  • Sometimes the bag closure doesn't seat perfectly across the opening.
  • Sometimes the bag will stretch a bit after full vacuum is created and will then need a bit of additional vacuum. This happens most often when there is a large project in the bag. The vacuum system will cycle off (if you have an auto-cycling system) and then turn on again for a few seconds. After that, it may not cycle again for several minutes or even hours.
  • Old vacuum bags and ones that have been stored near sources of UV light can develop pin holes. In those cases, the vacuum press can help keep the vacuum maintained.

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.


Product Reviews

  1. 100% Successful

    Review by Rob Hughes
    Rating:

    After a year or two of reading about vacuum clamping on the net I purchased the V4 Press Kit, VS Extreme bag, breather mesh and Ultra Cat glue. Any questions regarding what to purchase were promptly answered and after purchasing the products I was kept informed regarding delivery dates.

    The products arrived in excellent condition, and the V4 kit went together easily. The parts are of exceptional quality and the instructions are brilliantly written.

    The bag is robust yet flexible, easily conforming to complex shapes. My first attempt at vacuum clamping was 100% successful, no leaks, and easily handle by my pancake compressor.

    5/5 stars for customer service, product design, value, and overall experience. Thank you.


  2. I Only Buy Here

    Review by Harrison Mills
    Rating:

    Quick shipping, great prices, and quality products... this is why I keep buying my veneer supplies from Veneer Supplies. The bag is super heavy duty and sealing it is a piece of cake. I recommend this website to everyone I know!


  3. I Should Have Bought This Bag to Start With

    Review by Mike Waters
    Rating:

    I have used vacuum bags from competitors for some time both for wood veneers and RC plane foam wing sheeting. Those bags would work well for several cycles and then develop slow leaks. Finally, I purchased a VS Extreme bag. This is truly an example of the old adage "you get what you pay for". In attempt to save a few dollars, I ended up spending more in the long run replacing inferior bags. I ran over 50 cycles on the first bag and saw absolutely no reduction in performance. In fact, the bag seemed to get more pliable and even easier to work with. The seal system is much larger and easier on my hands to close and re-open. This is a huge benefit if you use the bag a lot and it cannot be emphasized enough. The bag is impregnated with an oil substance which makes the surface very slick (not greasy or oily) that prevents glue sticking and even makes loading the bags easier.

    I purchased a second bag last week and will add two more soon. I bought the lock on connector as well. Honestly, I didn't think it would be worth the added expense, but I figured I'd give it a try since I was upgrading my system. I should have been using these all along. They seal perfectly and are super easy to connect and release. This is important if you have shop space challenges and need to put the bag away when not in use.

    I built my vacuum system based on the example that Joe provided on the web page. He has placed an incredible amount of information on his site. There are numerous topics that are easily searched. If you cant find an answer, Joe answers emails very quickly. I buy supplies from many vendors and Veneer Supplies is among my favorite; they are "good people".


  4. Review from Olathe, KS

    Review by Dan Quackenbush
    Rating:

    This bag is so sturdy it should last forever. I have a 4 X 8 bag on a huge table that I haul up to the ceiling and it is a pain to lower and raise every time I use it. So, I got this smaller bag which will cover most of the sizes I normally make. This bag is much better than the one I got "somewhere else."


  5. Review from South Amboy, NJ

    Review by Randolph Gill
    Rating:

    I ordered on Tuesday morning and got the package on Wednesday afternoon! Great product & service. I will continue to order veneer & supplies from Joe!


  6. Review from Houston, TX

    Review by Mike Logan
    Rating:

    This is my 4th vacuum bag I've ordered form Joe. Great bags and great customer service. This is my second 2 x 4 bag (the other is a 20 mil Elite) and is my most used bag. I also have 4 x 6 and 4 x 9 which are also great bags when I need the additional room. Really refreshing to find a business that still provides that old fashioned customer service that is so rare these days. 5 stars for Joe.


  7. Worth every penny!

    Review by Linda S
    Rating:

    I used the bag for the first time yesterday and it was terrific! It's exactly as it's described on the website. I would never say a veneering bag was indestructible but this one would have to come close. When I took it out of the box it was immediately apparent that this was a high quality bag. After using this bag I would never go back to a cheaper vinyl one. When I buy a bigger bag it will definitely be a VS Extreme Polyurethane.


  8. Perfection!!!

    Review by Jacob Kalata
    Rating:

    I dont do a lot of pressing but I have a feeling this bag could take some serious abuse. Most of guys in my area are using vinyl bags and I guess they are fine but as soon as you see it, you know this bag is going to last a long time.

    My bag took only 3 days to arrive and was packed very well. The shipping cost to me was about $12. Joe answered all of my questions before I ordered and he also helped me out with a very unsual vacuum pressing dilemma. Two thumbs up!!!!!


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