Official Luthiers Forum!

Hello,
I am just starting to use vacuum fixtures and was wondering about a good supplier of the O ring type rope that is soft enough for vacuum seals. At this point I have had my best luck with weatherization sealant rope from Home Depot. All of the industrial type rope I have ordered is not soft enough.
Thanks in advance.
Mike Fleck

I looked around for a while and couldn't find what I wanted. Finally I found it--I get the neoprene cord from McMaster Carr and it works great. Stock number 8605K42 for 1/4" cord.

Dave

I found a local gasket supplier that carries a full line of neoprene cord, but originally I bought all my stuff from Allstar Adhesives. The prices were reasonable last I ordered, and the product is good.

http://www.allstaradhesives.com/

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Bob Garrish
Former Canonized Purveyor of Fine CNC Luthier Services

Forgot to mention that the 8605K42 cord at McMaster Carr is about $20 for a 100 foot roll. It's listed as "firm," but its softer than the Home Depot sealant cord--pretty much perfect for the vacuum jigs I use. I use a 1/4" round nose bit to rout the grooves, rout them to just a bit over .125" deep, and the cord presses in and stays nicely.

I've also gotten self adhesive flat gasket tape from Joe Woodworker, and it works really well too. The cord is just more convenient since it's so easy to use the same CAD drawing I would use to make a part to cut the groove perfectly for the gasket.

Dave

Thanks very much.
Mike

McMaster also has latex tubing which I use quite a bit...along with that foam rope.

I like the surgical tubing a little better because it bends cleanly around a radius and it's real ez to clean. It's also nice because as the wood is sucked down there really can't be any foam sealer material that gets trapped between the wood and the tool...blocking the seal or keeping the material from going down flat.

The only downside to latex tubing is that the foam can sometimes seal better....but in those situations I tape off and seal the vacuum side of the wood and then the seal is 100%.

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I read Emerson on the can. A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds...true...but a consistent reading of Emerson has its uses nevertheless.

StuMusic

Ditto what Bob says. They are very helpful with any questions also.
Nelson