Darryl Keil Last Activity 2026-05-18 8:07 PM
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ckurak

Posts: 107

Joined: 2006-10-28
Location: Florida

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Subject : Finding a flip-top vacuum leak
Posted : 2006-10-28 10:00 AM
Post #33429
I just finished assembling a 5x10 flip-top table that I bought from Darryl. So far it is working fine, except that the pump cycles on after only 45 seconds. Evidently there is a leak(s) somewhere. The bag (brand-new 30 mil poly) looks fine. My guess is that there may be leakage at the gasket. Also, a 5x10 requires two pieces of laminate for the table top. I followed the instructions and used a 1/16" space between the two and silicone to fill the gap.

How do I find any leaks? I walked around the table listening, but cannot hear anything obvious. Any ideas?

Thanks,

Charles


 
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Anton Gerner

Posts: 45

Joined: 2003-09-04
Location: Melbourne, Australia

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Subject : RE: Finding a flip-top vacuum leak
Posted : 2006-10-28 6:24 PM
Post #33430 - In reply to #33429
If the seal is fine, it may be a leak in the hose or fittings.
Check all your fittings. These leaks can be hard to find.
Also make sure the seal is clean where it seals against the table.
Daryl might have some better ideas.



 
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ckurak

Posts: 107

Joined: 2006-10-28
Location: Florida

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Subject : RE: Finding a flip-top vacuum leak
Posted : 2006-10-29 5:07 PM
Post #33431 - In reply to #33430
Thanks, Anton.

The fittings appear to be fine. However, it is hard to hear a leak when the vacuum pump and my air compressor take turns running trying to keep up with the leak. Is there a good way to listen for a leak? Perhaps a stethoscope to amplify the sound?

I did notice that the "barbed insert strip" that holds the membrane into the frame seems to want to pop up in places. I took my frame off of the table, flipped it over, and reset three of the four edges. After reassembly the system loses more vacuum than before. The system can get up to 25 inches of Hg, then the pump starts to recycle after about 5 seconds. Hmmm...

Regarding the barbed insert strip that holds the poly membrane to the frame: it appears that the insert strip makes contact with the table top almost all of the time. Under vacuum, when there is a slight bit of compression on the ribbed gasket, the strip seems to prevent the gasket from making better contact. Is this by design? Or, is this a problem? It seems that if there is a "bump" in the strip, a good seal cannot be made by the gasket because it cannot physically get close enough to the table top.

Finally, where the gasket meets the table, all appears to be clean. Is there some type of treatment that should be applied to the laminate top? The instructions mention using butchers wax where the seal meets the top, however, this is "to prevent any glue splatter from sticking to the surface of the plastic laminate." Does the butchers wax also make a better seal?

Thanks,

Charles


 
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Darryl Keil

Posts: 1462

Joined: 2003-05-22
Location: Maine

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Subject : RE: Finding a flip-top vacuum leak
Posted : 2006-10-29 9:27 PM
Post #33432 - In reply to #33431
ckurak,

****hing a leak can be difficult some times and I suggest a phone call so we can have a conversation.

In the mean time I would suggest this as a starter. Place a piece of 2" clear packaging tape down the entire length of the plastic laminate joint in your table. This requires you to take up the 1/4" grid board. Even though you siliconed this joint I have had a number of folks have trouble with this seam. The packaging tape may seem like a low tech solution but it is very effective if there is a leak there.

As far as the barbed insert strip goes, it is actually 1/8" thinnner than the gasket. As long as its fully pounded in it will be less in height. Even if it was the same thickness it would not be a problem because its the leading edge of the gasket that does all the sealing. If you notice, the gasket is attached to the membrane where it can bend downward as the vacuum is drawn tight. In this area the membrane is not attached to the frame so the gasket acts like its on a hinge, so to speak. The higher the vacuum the greater the seal.

Finding where your leak is will be a process of elimination. Start with the clear packaging tape I suggested and if that doesnt get it we'll go on to the next possibility. We'll keep on going like this until we find it.

Sincerely
Darryl Keil




 
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ckurak

Posts: 107

Joined: 2006-10-28
Location: Florida

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Subject : RE: Finding a flip-top vacuum leak
Posted : 2006-10-30 7:02 AM
Post #33433 - In reply to #33432
Darryl,

Thanks for the response. I will work on that joint this week as I have time. I had used thin double-stick tape under the grid board, so it should be pretty easy to remove. Now that you mention it, the gasket does act "like it's on a hinge." I hadn't thought of that. I will let you know what happens.

Thanks,

Charles
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