Thread: $100 ebay vacuum pump advice please!

Although it doesn't make much difference to stabilising, I would still go for min 3cfm (Chinese one), in case you have large volumes to vacuum and they are generally a better pump. I would also go for a 2 stage pump only because they are easier to maintain.

Now as far as cheap Chinese vacuum pumps, they work, they generally can be pulled apart to maintain, but you do get what you pay for.

If you want a good one that is recommended, although not cheap, try this one J/B HIGH END HIGH QUALITY VACUUM VAC PUMP DV-E SERIES WITH GAS BALLAST 2 STAGE | eBay

Thanks for the advice! I was concerned that they would not pull enough of a vacuum. The 3cfm 2 stage units are about $40 more and will look into them. It's not a tool that will ever see heavy use in my workshop but it will eventually stabilize some small timbers and for now degas thick, fiber reinforced epoxy.

I was guessing the single stage would have been simpler (never serviced them before) but will take your advice that the 2 stage ones are much simpler.

Cheers mate!
Kind regards,
Ben

The single stage pumps are a simpler mechanism, but unfortunately sometimes come as a sealed unit, so you can't pull them apart