We recently did a video on using cheap vacuum bags and for small simple parts, they work really well and are a cheap alternative to buying an expensive pump - especially if you are doing a one off or occasional part.  You can see the video here:  How to Hand Laminate & Vacuum Bag a Simple Carbon Fibre Part



Warren Penalver
Easy Composites / Carbon Mods - Technical Support Assistant

Give clothes storage bags a go, they work quite reliably for wet lay bagging. Food storage bags will likely be too thin and puncture easily.

Honestly, I would stick to propper materials. Food bags may work, but you can't be sure until you tried. And I like the extra safety a propper bagging material gives you against punctures.
A good alternative might be a bagging tube. You only need to seal both ends with tacky tape. Some composite suppliers got various diameters in their repertoire.

Howdy, 

I was wondering if anyone has tried using food storage vacuum bags for making small parts (where appropriate) as a partial replacement for standard flat vacuum bagging film with tacky tape? 

Currently I'm effectively making a literal bag that envelopes the whole part (a shoe) and frankly its a pain in the ass getting a perfect seal. I figure that if 3 sides of the bag are perfectly sealed that reduces the margin for error. Its also works out to be slightly cheaper than buying film and tacky tape. 

Here's an example of what Im thinking of - nylon and 90µm thick: 

https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/CRYOVAC-Food-Bag-Vacuum-Sealer-COMMERCIAL-200pcs-BULK-7-Sizes-AUS-Stock/401743762488?hash=item5d89cb5438:g:0FkAAOSwZlBe6pr~&frcectupt=true 

seems like it would work...