Sandmar FX1200 Vacuum Seal issues.. odd

I have a Sandmar FX1200 plate burner. I love the thing. Problem is that I can't get a good seal with the vacuum. If I place my finger on the hole or crimp the tube, the vacuum shoots up to 25psi. I've adjusted the glass and brackets every which way. The mat itself isn't crumbling. How the heck do you reseat the glass/mat other than just trial and error? As it is now, a few mat boards underneath the mat make a good enough contact frame for what I print but that Gast pump is dying to be used. I also have/had the pdf manual if anyone needs it.

The rubber/neoprene vacuum mat is probably worn, torn and leaking. A replacement should fix the problem.

Charles

That's what I was worried about. I think Stocker & Yale bought Sandmar but I have no idea if they still offer service/replacements. I had smeared and smoothed silicone sealant on the underside along the visible splits, perhaps the unevenness is affecting the seal.