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Knowledge You Can Build On — Est. 1998

You Vacuum chuckers?

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You Vacuum chuckers?

#1

You Vacuum chuckers?

Bud

>Ok Vacuum chuckers, the �typical Vacuum pump� that are being bought by most woodturners, seem to be in the � to 1/3 HP range pulling between 22-26 inches in vacuum. However most of you vacuum chuckers, know that volume flow is important also. Do those of you vacuum chuckers that are using, or have used, the Typical � to 1/3 HP pumps find it adequate for just about all your needs, OR at times have you wished you had a more powerful pump or are thinking of upgrading to one with more flow like a � hp for more porous woods or other reasons? Also is there any disadvantages to a larger pump, such as a sizable increase in noise? I�m going to be setting up a system soon and prefer not to find out that I want to upgrade to a larger pump right away. I am hoping for some simple honest answers, instead of; formulas of inches of pull, to diameter of piece, to size of worm holes, pertaining to cfm air, factoring in your specific altitude and such. Not that there�s anything wrong with those who like to figure that type of stuff out.

TIA and safe turning

Bud

Re: You Vacuum chuckers?

#2

Re: You Vacuum chuckers?

Doug Leite

>Bud,

I have been using a Gast 1/3 HP(now available only as 1/4 HP) pump for around 8 years. I have finished 100's or maybe even over 1000? I don't know exactly using this pump. If memory serves me right, it pulls something like 3 cfm @ around 10 inches. Although I bought it from Grainger a long time before Craft Supplies made it available, it is the same unit. It has worked fine about 80% of the time. The other 20% of the time the leakage thru the porous grain will not allow a good firm seal. In half of those situations, I made it seal by either applying another coat of sanding sealer or taking fine wood dust from sanding or the bandsaw and while the vacuum was applied, I spread the dust all over the outside of the bowl and joint area and it usually firms up sufficiently to finish the bowl. Would I have purchased a larger/higher HP pump if I knew what I know now? YES!!only because I at times turn fairly large bowls and if I lose one of these at this point, the lost revenue would pay for the larger pump. On the other hand, if I turned bowls no more than 12"-14" in dia, I feel that my pump is adequate.

My opinion,for what it's worth.

Aloha

Doug Leite

Re: You Vacuum chuckers?

#3

Re: You Vacuum chuckers? *LINK*

John U - NC

>I use a GAST model 1023 -- it is a 3/4 hp, but I had to look that up at the link below. I shopped for one with high air flow, and didn't pay attention to the hp until wiring the motor starter. I shopped around and waited until I found the pump with air capacity I wanted -- I lucked in and found a used one that just had the vanes and bearings replaced.

Loss of vacuum comes from increased air flow through your system -- so, the higher the air capacity of your pump, the better chance you will have of overcoming air loss due to pore openings in your wood (or insufficient seal on your vac chuck to bowl, etc.), and subsequent loss of vacuum.


GAST Manufacturing

Re: You Vacuum chuckers?

#4

Re: You Vacuum chuckers?

Greg in Oshkosh

>Besides worrying about how much air flow you need when putting on porous wood as in the previous posts, worry about the amount of vacuum when turning small items. I have never had a problem with large items since even with the slight loss in vacuum because of the porous nature of the wood the size (area) that I am pulling a vacuum on is so large you need a lower in Hg to get enough pressure to hold the bowl on.

I have problems putting on small items where the area of the item is small, like a small box to finish the bottom. So I'd be more worried about the amount of vacuum than the cfm.