[qwertysimo]

Your vac is *fine* on a well sealed system.

Sounds promissing.

Two or three layers of masking paper on the bottom, vac hold down...
I should add that a vacuum grid and top with ether flow-through properties or just a hole pattern...
Then do the 3 layer method I mentioned, ya know...

Any chance you have some pictures of your method? I have trouble to imagine it - especialy the part with masking paper.
Most common vacuum tables I read about here are table tops with rubber gaskets rings. You mentioned the hole pattern. Do you mean something like this or this? All clear, but the masking paper.


And, thanks to all for your replies.