Q.V.P. Quick Press - Manual (Page 2)

Attaching the VCA(6)W to the baseboard (Drawing B)
At the intersection of two saw kerfs, drill a 1-1/8" dia. hole
5/16" deep. Then drill a ¾" for VCA6 or 5/8” for VCA dia. Hole
through the baseboard making sure the exit hole is clean and
splinter free. Remove the nut, metal washers and rubber
washers. Push the brass piece through the baseboard so that
the bolt head is in the recessed hole (should be just below the
top of the baseboard). Place one of the rubber washers over
the stem and snug it to the baseboard. With the frame
press upside down, place the baseboard in the press and
close down the bottom so it touches the brass stem. Use a
1/2” dia. hole punch or a sharp knife and cut an X in the
poly over the hole in the barb. Push the poly down to the
rubber washer and trim the excess away. Do not over trim,
it should be a tight fit. Place the other rubber washer, large
metal washer then the lock washer. With one hand keep
the poly from twisting as you tighten the nut. Do not over
tighten.
Making the baseboard.
Your work should sit on a flat panel. This is a baseboard
that is no larger than 2' x 5' and can be 3/8" to ¾" thick. Cut
saw kerfs in both directions about 4" apart. If you use a
very narrow kerf saw blade (about .030"), then the
baseboard can act as your caul. Using the baseboard as
the caul reduces the total height of the materials in the
press. The thin kerfs will not telegraph through to the
veneer. (Verify with some testing first.) Round over all the
edges. See tips about additional saw kerfs.
Whatever material you use, it must stay flat. If it becomes
cupped, the panel you press can become cupped.
Testing the frame press.
Cover the VCA6 with a piece of stock or mesh and close
the lid. Attach the pump and turn on. It should pump down
and the automatic controller will shut the pump off. If it
cycles on and off every two minutes or less and the cycles
do not lengthen in time, you have a leak.
Walk around the frame and squeeze the frame every 6
inches to see if it affects the leakage. If the gap on the back
side where the hinges are is too wide, you won't get a good
seal. Back the screws out of the top hinges and if it can
compress more and gives a better seal, you need to file the
screw holes into oval slots before putting the screws back
in.
Tips.
If your piece does not cover the VCA6, the bag will get
sucked into the hole and seal before full vacuum is
reached. Cover the hole with a 2 to 3" block ½" thick
(round all sharp edges).
If you made the kerfs with a thin blade, cut additional lines
radiating out from the 1 - 1/8" hole and intersecting the
other saw kerfs. This improves evacuation time. With 1/8"
saw kerfs this is not necessary as they are about 4 times
wider than those made with the thin saw blades.
If you attached the VCA6W without a baseboard and the
head comes down on your caul, the caul must have a
length of mesh along it or the top of the caul must have saw
kerfs on it. Without either, the air has nowhere to travel as
the poly top will come down and self seal around the
VCA6W.
Attaching the VCA(6)W without a
baseboard(Drawing C)
Remove all washers but the rubber one and the large
metal one next to the bolt head. Drawing C. Place the
VCA(6)W inside the frame where you want it in the poly
(can be the top or bottom frame). Where the barb presses
against the poly, punch a 1/2“ dia. Hole or cut an X (with a
sharp knife) and then push the barb through the poly down
to the rubber washer. Trim the excess poly from around
the stem of the VCA(6)W. Put the other rubber, large
metal and lock washer on the stem that is outside the poly
sheet. Tighten the nut.
You must be aware of several factors when using the QP
without a baseboard. The bolt head should have several
slots filed in the top of the hex head. This allows for better
air evacuation. The head should come down on the top of
your caul or some mesh material. If the poly comes
directly down on the hex head, it will self seal and you will
not get full evacuation from the press. The air must
always have a path to get to the vacuum hole, whether it
be mesh or saw kerfs in your baseboard or caul, it needs a
path, no matter how small, to the vacuum hole. If the head
comes down on a smooth surface, the poly will self seal
around the head and prevent evacuation.
Top
Bottom
Foam Tape
Stay Lifter
Do Not Leave Quick Press Latched
When not in Use!