Hey guys,
Just had a quick question. When sealing your vacuum bag with tacky tape, what is your strategy to get a good seal? I have to really grind into the tape with my fingers followed by really pressing the tape with the back side of my plastic scissors. Thing is, if I don’t press extremely hard, I won’t get a good seal. Might sound sad, but I really strain my forearms literally. Is there a tool you guys use that makes life easier?
Thanks
Find a softer sealant tape. If you’re buying in small quantities, there’s a guy on ebay that sells 6 rolls for something like USD$25 plus postage. That stuff is the tackiest and softest vacuum tape that I have used, super easy to get a perfect seal with. Haven’t tested it in above ambient temperatures though.
hmm…maybe i’ll look into that hanaldo. Yea this stuff is on the tougher side. I buy them 25 ft at a time locally for $10. Maybe I will let it sit in the sun or do this in the sun to get it more sticky/soft. I just pulled my part from the mould and my left forearm is extremely strained. Man I sound like a wuss lol
You in Oahu? There is a composites store in Honolulu pearl city area. His prices are really good!!!
I’m on Oahu. What is the place called? I’ve been just going to fiberglasshawaii but would like to have more than just one option
Yep, fiberglass Hawaii. He can order anything u want.
Yep I like it over there. Well it’s pretty much the only place ip down here. Just wish they would carry infusion resin. Al the other places I’ve called we’re either way to expensive, disconnected numbes, or no response. I’ve been using fiberglasshawaii and buying online.
make sure you don’t put release agent where you stick your tacky tape. You should tape these areas off before applying release (if you don’t all ready).
For me it doesn’t matter. I envelope bag it
I purchase the one from FH Kalihi at $10 bucks a 50’ roll. If u buy 3 rolls of 50’ it comes out the same as the ebay guy selling 6 rolls at 25’. That is the best price I have found to date because I was ordering online from two different suppliers for $7.95 a roll for yellow tacky tape and its the same brand as FH.
Yeh like everything, you really have to buy in bulk to see any real value for money. Box of 40 rolls of 50’ AY200 costs me $165, so just over 4 bucks a roll. That’s AUD, so even cheaper for you guys across the pond.
For the hobbiest doing 3 parts a year it probably doesn’t make much sense, but if you are doing these things fairly regularly then sealant tape and vacuum bag are the 2 main things I would highly recommend buying in bulk to save money.
I use a vinyl applicator with the felt side of velcro on it
definitely use a tool to press down the tape. Doing it with your hands all day long is extremely tiring and not good for the thumbs. I always use a laminating tool to push it down. I have one squeegee that is cut from HDPE and shaped a bit that I put Teflon tape on so it slides on the bag easier; i use it only for this part. \
Usually the enveloped bags are a bit easier to seal but, they can be a pain too.
Also I’ve used the yellow tape a lot and it works ok. I’ve used the brown tape and I think it’s a bit better and sticker, though no empirical evidence. On my glass table the brown tape sticks way better than the yellow.
I use a wallpaper roller(or “hardwood roller”) from a paint store. $5 usd. 
an inline skate wheel can be turned in to a very nice rolling bag tape pusher. Just make a handle to mount it in and away you go. The rolling action works very good and doesn’t damage the bag. or if you have a lathe you can turn some delrin or other material into a wheel
I use the back of a stanley knife of this type - actually very good as its smooth, good thickness and has turned up ends. You can also put lots of pressure on it!
http://www.macbuildingproducts.com/images/14KNIFE210550.gif
I know it’s not always possible but the same for me. I reduce so many headaches of chasing leaks by using envelope bags. I have gone as large as car hoods using envelope bags with no issues.
Again, not always possible but I try to create molds now with envelope bagging in mind.