Vacuum Pump Advice

Re: Vacuum Pump Advice

Brad Homman

>Don, Several people at this message board recommended the Gast 0523-P335-G509 Vaccum pump, found at Surplus Center, here's the address: http://www.surpluscenter.com/sort.asp?UID=2004061214305649&catname=&byKeyword=yes&search=vacuum%20pump

I built a set up using this pump, it works great!

Re: Vacuum Pump Advice

BERNIE

>Don, the surplus pump is good but it does not include a switch and a cord and is wired for 220v

I use and sell the hvac style Robinair 6 cfm unit and it works great they include the cord and switch and is 110v if interested it is 150.00 ups to your door.

THanks, Bernie

Re: Vacuum Pump Advice

Darryl Hansen

>I bought Bill Nobles pump. Piping came from the local plumbing supply about $ 4.00 worth of fittings. I used an old auto vacuum guage tapped into a "T" fitting. Old 16 or 18 guage light cord and a 69 cent plug from Lowes. Works great about 27" and I ususally use less on big bowls. I used the foam stuf from a craft store to face the wooden faceplate I made for the vacuum. Had to coat the faceplate with lacquer to get a good vacuum. Definately oiless whatever way you go. Simple to set up and handy. Oh use the reingforced tubing since the pump will collapse regular plastic tubing.

Re: Vacuum Pump Advice

Bill Hale

>Don

I bought Bernies pump and am pleased.

He gets a check and shipps right away.

Good turning and be safe

Bill

Re: Vacuum Pump Advice

bill Crommett in seneca

>Don: There is nothing wrong with old refrigerator units except that you will need a constant supply - which is no problem. The reason that a good supply is needed is that the r-12/r-22 or whatever has oil included, and if it is run dry, which you will on an open system, the pump will wear out after while. There are three variables to consider: Budget; amount of vacuum use; and your scrounge contacts. Bill

Re: Vacuum Pump Advice

Matt Prusik

>Sorry to not answer directly.

But I have aquestion ... what do you all do for some sort of a vacuum cut-out, cut-in switch? I mean do you just have the pump run all the time without cycling on and off as the vacuum rises and falls?

Thanks.

Matt Prusik

Re: Vacuum Pump Advice

Darryl Hansen

>The pump I obtained from Bill Noble had a vacuum chamber as part of the unit. It holds the vaccum for a bit after the unit is switched off. In any case there is considerable leakage areound the fittings and the faceplate so you jnust let the unit run. The Gast pump has a built in fan so it stays cool. I only use it to turn the bottom anyway so it is not running all that long...

Two words: "Surplus Supply"

Dominic Greco in Richboro PA

>Don,

While I know of several woodturners who have based their vacuum chuck systems around such an item, I tend to shy away from the refrigerator compressor route since I really have no idea of what kind of usage it saw. I prefer to use a Gast vacuum pump like the kind Bill mentioned in his article.

For my vacuum chuck setup (see pic posted below), I bought a direct drive, oil-less 220 V Gast Vacuum Pump for $90.00 from Surplus Supply of Nebraska (click on the link to see what they have). The pump is able to deliver 26" Hg at 0.5 CFM, which is perfect for a vacuum chucking system.

The air filter and ball valve were purchased through McMaster-Carr and the fittings from a local hardware store. The (2) vacuum "bells" I use were fabricated from 3"x4" and a 2"x4" sch40 PVC reducers. And I used old mouse pads for the gasket material.

After almost 2 years of use, it has performed flawlessly. I am very happy with my setup.

See ya around,

Dominic

Re: Vacuum Pump Advice

Jim Pugh in Elyria, OH

>I notice that no one, except Bernie, made any real comment about CFM. You want at least about 4.5 CFM flow at 0 vacuum which will provide enough flow to accomodate any/all leaks in the system (within reason of course) and still hold the item onto the chuck.

I seldom use more than 15 inches of vacuum and frequently have to get along with much less due to leakage thru the piece I am working on.

A low CFM pump just won't get the job done.

Re: Vacuum Pump Advice

Don Orr

>Thanks to all for the input and advice. Much appreciated. I don't have 220 service right now so that is not really an option. I think I will stick to oil-less as well. Excellent point about the CFM requirement. Now to find just the right one at a good price. Ebay here I come!

Happy and Safe Turning, Don