Roarockit vacuum bag?

**stoned_donkey** · 11-18-2009 09:28 PM

Hey i am planning to build my first longboard in the next few weeks

and read some tutorials on how to make a vacuum bag but most seem to complicated to make without leeks.
Found this 20 by 70" bag by Roarockit Roarockit Welcome
has anyone used these are they any good?
on the site they use single veneer sheets but i will be using 4mm plywood would that still mold properly to the foam or will it be to strong.
I'm very new at this so any help would be appreciated.

**243racing** · 11-18-2009 09:36 PM

It was very hit and miss for me. I bought 2 for my board building company... one worked alright for a while then failed. Even after they sent me a new valve. The other never held a seal but I didn't realize this til after the return by date.

Tried many different things to fix it. Everything Roarockit suggested and more. I mean I can still press a deck but I have to pump it every 30 minutes to keep pressure.

**stoned_donkey** · 11-18-2009 10:08 PM

So you definitley dont recomend getting one of these?
any other options you could suggest for building a decent board with some slight concave and camber?

**817** · 11-19-2009 11:13 AM

I do not want to discredit 243racing's experience, but I would not base your opinion of the TAP bag on this one review. At least wait until Ted chimes in, but I personally use one of the 20x70 bags and love it. I never bend anything thicker than 1/8" with it, but for my purposes it is great (not to mention he has a sale going on right now for that TAP bag and kit with some great veneers and reduced shipping cost!!!).

However, that all being said, there are many ways to get what you are shooting for (i.e. slight concave and camber) with minimal investment: toothless press, DIMM style press.

There are many ways to make a board and most people on here will tell you why one is better than the other and on and on. I would say that Roarockit is one of those ways and a good one at that. Ted and Norah have a great business with great service and hundreds of happy customers. I would not use the TAP bag for commercial purposes, but for home building it is a great way to get into vacuum pressing on a budget. I can personally say they are a reputable company as I have done business with them in the past.

In my experience you will end up trying all types of techniques so if you are not ready for the vacuum press investment maybe do a DIMM style if you can find foam or toothless if you can't.

**mimo** · 11-19-2009 12:40 PM

**entress88** · 11-20-2009 09:57 AM

I have nothing but good things to say about TAP system.

**dcphotos** · 11-20-2009 09:57 AM

I can't say enough about how much I've enjoyed what I got from roarockit. I've made a bunch of decks, some were great and some not but that's part of the experiance of crafting anything. Ted's customer service was outstanding and I got multiple emails from him as I was learning mine. The only drawback was that shipping the maple veneer from Canada is kinda price(iIf you are planing to use plywood to make decks I wouldn't bother unless it's a flat longboard).

**Cann0n** · 11-20-2009 10:05 AM

You can make a TAP bag out of a shower curtain and tape.

**danmorgan** · 11-20-2009 10:27 AM

Originally Posted by dcphotos

I can't say enough about how much I've enjoyed what I got from roarockit. I've made a bunch of decks, some were great and some not but that's part of the experiance of crafting anything. Ted's customer service was outstanding and I got multiple emails from him as I was learning mine. The only drawback was that shipping the maple veneer from Canada is kinda price(iIf you are planing to use plywood to make decks I wouldn't bother unless it's a flat longboard).

so you guys dont use this thing for 1/8" BB? Also Id like to get into fiberglassing 3/8" vlams into concave/cambered shapes.

how long of a board can the 45" bag comfortably fit with mold and all?

thanks!
Dan

**dcphotos** · 11-20-2009 12:05 PM

Originally Posted by danmorgan

so you guys dont use this thing for 1/8" BB? Also Id like to get into fiberglassing 3/8" vlams into concave/cambered shapes.

how long of a board can the 45" bag comfortably fit with mold and all?

thanks!
Dan

I don't, but most of my boards are not long boards. As far as the size deck goes it would depend on your mold thickness. Roarockit makes custom bags also if you want one big enough for a real long deck.

As for foam, I have a foam mold for making a flat longboard with concave, but my other ones are wood. You can get a sharper bend with a wood mold and it was really easier for me to make albeit not easier to cut.

I'm thinking of making a dulcimer with all the leftover scrap maple I have.

**BlackRider** · 11-20-2009 12:57 PM

Highly recommended! I used one of the smaller bags to make quite a few decent decks from 8th BB. I'm getting the Christmas longboard package and if you are thinking of getting one I recommend this deal.

**stoned_donkey** · 11-20-2009 03:51 PM

Originally Posted by BlackRider

Highly recommended! I used one of the smaller bags to make quite a few decent decks from 8th BB. I'm getting the Christmas longboard package and if you are thinking of getting one I recommend this deal.

i would but shipping to NZ is $492.00!!!
there is no way thats worth it