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vacuum gaskets

these are worth taking a look at.

www.rubberchucky.com

Chucky PVC Coupling Vacuum Seals

Rubber Chucky Products, LLC manufacturers and distributes rubber jam chucks and other woodturning aids; enabling both the beginning and professional woodturner an easier way to create their masterpieces. Proudly made in the USA
www.rubberchucky.com
 
Lance Mirrer said:
these are worth taking a look at.

www.rubberchucky.com

Chucky PVC Coupling Vacuum Seals

Rubber Chucky Products, LLC manufacturers and distributes rubber jam chucks and other woodturning aids; enabling both the beginning and professional woodturner an easier way to create their masterpieces. Proudly made in the USA
www.rubberchucky.com
Click to expand...
Love my Rubberchucky seals.Have them on all of my vacuum chucks
 
I've used various closed cell foam products from different sources (Walmart). Worked fine but wore out quickly and had to be replaced frequently.

About four years ago a novice turner by the name of David Ellsworth suggested using vinyl shelf paper from Lowes. He uses it both on vacuum chucks and jam chucks. They get heavy and rough use in his shop by students. I tried it and never looked back. It works excellent and lasts almost forever. Use contact cement to glue the shelf paper to the chuck. When it's time to replace its easy to turn the old off.

I also keep commercial vacuum tape on hand for flat work templates and clamping. Occasionally use it for turning, but the vinyl shelf paper is usually a better choice.
 
I have used the fun foam, and it works OK, but gets dinged up pretty easily and needs to be replaced, as mentioned. I've used the shelf liner, it also works well and is a little more durable than EVA. (It's also available at Wally World for members of the Cheapskates Club.) IMHO, it's important to use thinner material, rather than thicker, to decrease potential movement.

At the last Rocky Mountain Symposium, I admired the Rubber Chucky seals. They are thicker and naturally rounded, but are also a different density than the foam or vinyl, and require that your chuck be a standard diameter. I would really appreciate some feedback from someone who has tried them out. Are they worth the extra cost? Do they allow more movement than the thinner material?
 
I've had Rubber Chucky seals (the ones that go on PVC adapters) for several years. I liked them at first, but they've gotten hard and I have to use a ring of craft foam on top to help them seal and keep from marking.
I asked the guy at their booth at Rocky Mountain symposium about it but he didn't know anything.
 
I use Hold Fast vacuum seal cord from Craft Supplies. It's 5/16" diameter x 5' roll and you cut length you need, use ca glue to attach it to your pvc chuck and glue the ends together. I haven't had to replace it yet, but maybe I don't use my vacuum chucks as much as you do. Haven't had any problems with it marking the wood or a cured finish.
 
I've converted a few people in my club to these. They are 3d printed out of flexible filament (TPU) and have tunable "squish" based on how much infill you include when printing. They are rigid enough to be used strictly as a jam chuck, but also seal a very nice vacuum. No marring at all and they just slide right over. My model is also parametric, so to get different size you just input a new diameter.
20241211_191152.jpg
 
I use fun foam it does require replacement every 5-10 uses.
Sometimes you get less than 5.
I try for the adhesive backed sheets - makes changing quick.

The rubber chuckies have worked well too.
I haven’t noticed them getting hard. But all vacuum seals are consumables.
 
I bought vacuum tape from Joe Woodworker. Near the bottom of this page of instructions, under The Vacuum Drum.

Vacuum Chucking Lathe Projects with Vacuum

www.joewoodworker.com www.joewoodworker.com

I think what I got is like this but I thought it was a little wider.

Vacuum Gasket Tape For Benchtop Clamping: 1/8" Thick, 3/8" Wide, 82' Long

Check out our inventory of exotic and domestic wood veneers. We also offer a full line of vacuum pressing kits, vacuum bags, and veneering essentials.
www.veneersupplies.com www.veneersupplies.com

Maybe like this (I'd have to go look):
www.ebay.com

All*Star Adhesive Products CRS 12 50 Vacuum Gasket Tape 82'Length x1/8"H x 1/2"W | eBay

All Star Adhesive Products, CRS 12 50 Vacuum Gasket Tape 1/8" Height x 1/2" Width x 82 Feet Length for Making Clamping Jigs, for Doors, Window and much more. Model: CRS 12 50. CRS 12 50. It is intended to rise above the surface of your table/pod by roughly 1/16”.
www.ebay.com

JKJ
 
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Dave Landers said:
I've had Rubber Chucky seals (the ones that go on PVC adapters) for several years. I liked them at first, but they've gotten hard and I have to use a ring of craft foam on top to help them seal and keep from marking.
I asked the guy at their booth at Rocky Mountain symposium about it but he didn't know anything.
Click to expand...
I have had the same issue of the Rubber Chucky seals getting hard and not holding as well. I too have had to use a ring of craft foam so they chucks hold enough vacuum to hold.
 
Paul Paukstelis said:
I've converted a few people in my club to these. They are 3d printed out of flexible filament (TPU) and have tunable "squish" based on how much infill you include when printing. They are rigid enough to be used strictly as a jam chuck, but also seal a very nice vacuum. No marring at all and they just slide right over. My model is also parametric, so to get different size you just input a new diameter.
View attachment 69807
Click to expand...
Paul, I checked Printables for your stl’s of these and didn’t find anything. Are you sharing these models?
Thanks, Tom
 
William Rogers said:
I’m not sure how I would use a skew to cut the circles. I use adhesive backed fun foam. Using the laser I cut the inner diameter and outer diameter, peel off the backing and apply.
Click to expand...
I’m not sure how you would either 8-) :-)

Seriously
The laser should be fine unless some really bad stuff is in the vaporized fun foam.

What I do is usually cut a square to the size to fit the chuck and cut out the center with scissors while the backing is on.
Then remove the backing and press the foam onto the chuck rim - it has to be holding well

With the skew point down turn on the lathe to a speed that feels right and cut straight in on the outside and inside.
Cuts a nice edge

A sharp spindle gouge can do the job with flute pointing at 3 and 9 o’clock
Cuts an okay edge. Sometimes the edge can be a tiny bit ragged but is not functionally detrimental.

You can also cut circles with the backing on by pining the foam sheet to a wooden disk spinning on a chuck or faceplate.
This requires a light touch tightening the tailstock or the cup center can cut a hole but usually the backing doesn’t cut.
Then you wonder why you didn’t use the inverse cone center.
 
William Rogers said:
I’m not sure how I would use a skew to cut the circles. I use adhesive backed fun foam. Using the laser I cut the inner diameter and outer diameter, peel off the backing and apply.
Click to expand...
I don't use a skew, but similarly I use a utility knife blade (preferred for stiffness) or an Xacto knife. Adhere the foam to the chuck ... turn on lathe (slow speed) ... put blade on the tool rest ... push tip of blade into foam (be sure to be on center) ... voila!
The utility knife blade also works well for cutting varying widths of masking tape (for painting, air brushing, etc.). Put tape core onto expanding chuck jaws ... turn on lathe ... knife blade on tool rest, etc.
 
First, my laser is in an enclosure with exhaust of any fumes. I will say using the laser is so much easier than any skew/knife method. I use to do it with a knife, never did with a skew. I just bring up the file, lay the foam down and hit go. Cuts perfect circles each time. I think less than a minute. Peel the backing and apply. I use the OneWay aluminum vacuum chucks that have a nice thick radius where the foam attaches.
 
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Tom Gall said:
but similarly I use a utility knife blade (preferred for stiffness) or an Xacto knife.
Click to expand...

I quit using Xacto blades and handles years ago. I far prefer these:

#11 scalpel blades
Handle

This is nice too, a variety of blade shapes.

I like the idea of cutting tape strips on the lathe. FWIW, I find far more uses for the Scotch 2060 of masking tape than the cheap stuff, will stick to almost everything, use it around the shop and house. It will stick to rough cinder block, wood blocks; good for labels, even for things that go in the freezer. They sell a variety of widths. It's nothing like the green painters tape in common use.
 
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