Installing A Heat Sealer Maintenance Kit

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1. This photo shows an 8 inch sealer with all the pieces from a maintenance kit.

   The kit includes:
   2 round wires
   2 flat wires
   2 strips of non-adhesive Teflon tape
   2 strips of 1/4 inch, adhesive backed, thick Teflon tape
   2 strips of 3/4 inch, adhesive backed, thin Teflon tape
   2 strips of 3/4 inch, adhesive backed, thick Teflon tape
   

   Use the flat wire when making the seal at the bottom of a bag that has a 1/4 inch tail. This is most often done with a sealer that has a cutter. This type of seal is called a ribbon seal using a ribbon wire. Use the round wire when sealing bags that will be torn away during heating. This creates a sealed edge and allows sizing of the bag to the contents. This is most often done when using the shrink bags. This type of seal is called a trim seal.

   Unplug your sealer before starting this maintenance session!
   
   
   

2. Using a Phillips style screwdriver remove the plates that are on both sides of the heat sealing area. Keep the screws close by, they like to roll and can easily be lost. A small bowl may be helpful.
   
   
3. Once the side plates have been removed lift the Teflon strip off to reveal the heating wire.
   
   
4. Using the screwdriver remove the holding screw that allows removal of the heating wire.
   
   
5. There is a narrow strip of Teflon tape under the wire. Remove this piece as well. If needed use a cotton ball and rubbing alcohol to remove any adhesive residue.
   
   
6. Find the 3/4 inch, adhesive backed, thick strip of Teflon tape. Remove the backing.
   
   
7. Place the Teflon strip, adhesive side down, along the middle portion of the heating area. Be as close to centered as possible.
   
   
8. Press the strip down along the sides making sure no bubbles are caught under the tape.
   
   
9. Choose a type of wire that you want to use. There is a pin in the hinged area of the sealer. You need to place a loop of the wire over the pin and pull the pin to the upright position.
   
   
10. Pull the wire tight and line up the other loop with the screw hole.
    
    
11. Using your screwdriver, insert the screw to hold the wire in place.
    
    
12. Find the strip of thin Teflon which has no adhesive backing. Find the strip of 3/4 inch, adhesive backed, thin Teflon tape. Remove the backing.
    
    
13. Place the strip of adhesive backed, thin Teflon tape adhesive side down, on top and centered to the strip of tape which has no backing. Smooth out any bubbles.
    
    
14. Position the double layer of tape, with the adhesive tape on top, over the wire. Center the tape.
    
    
15. Using the screws position one plate but do not tighten the screws all the way. Leave enough clearance to move the Teflon tape into a centered position.
    
    
16. Place the other plate on the sealer and set the screws in place. Smooth the Teflon tape, making sure it is flat and not bubbled in any way.
    
    
17. Tighten all the screws holding the side plates.
    
    
18. Find the 1/4 inch, adhesive backed, thick Teflon tape strip. Remove the backing.
    
    
19. Apply the 1/4 inch tape along the flat surface of the silicon sealing bar.
    
    
20. Your sealer is now ready to go! When it comes time to replace these items again, repeat these steps. There are a few changes in what is replaced because now you have added more strips to extend the life of your sealer. Think of your work, using additional parts, to be super charging your sealer for hefty workloads.