Thread: Vacuum Pump?

Scott

Not having a vacuum chuck myself I can only comment from things I've heard but one advantage of a vacuum cleaner over a vacuum pump is the volume. Whilst the VC will never develop the level of vacuum the pump will, if the seal between the chuck and the work piece isn't the best the higher volume or air being pulled by the VC will compensate for this better than the lower volume for the pump. Not sure if this is entirely correct but it sounds plausible.

cheers
WH

Cheers WH, I can see your logic. Problem with a VC is that when using them at a constant vacuum they will overheat and in some case, cark it. I saw a vacuum pump today and it's extremely effective, even at low pressure. The trick is to get an effective seal.

Scott
Plenty of vacuum pumps available on ebay.
One big disadvantage to using a vacuum cleaner is the noise.
Ted

Originally Posted by turnerted

Scott
Plenty of vacuum pumps available on ebay.
One big disadvantage to using a vacuum cleaner is the noise.
Ted

Thanks Ted. Most of the pumps on eBay are refrigeration pumps, can you use those?

Yes, you can use the fridge pumps.

The vacs commit suicide because they overheat due to no air flow, so Cooling the motor down with a fan should work. Not ideal I know but if needs must be met then it should work.

Dont use a fridge pump unless you want a paperweight in a short time, fridge pumps are made to pump coolant and will quickly overheat without said coolant. Check out http://www.bettervac.com.au/. The company i work for bought one from these guys and they are a solid unit for a reasonable price. The one we use is able to get a perfect vacuum in a couple seconds.

That's fridge pumps as in "these are for pumping air out of the refrigerant lines prior to filling with R14 (or whatever)", but many people have also used old fridge compressors to make their own vac pumps on the cheap.

Making A Fridge Compressor Into A Vacuum Pump

Sorry, i shall re iterate, i am talking about the compressor not the one for getting air out of the lines.

Originally Posted by steamjunkprops

Dont use a fridge pump unless you want a paperweight in a short time, fridge pumps are made to pump coolant and will quickly overheat without said coolant. Check out Carbon Vane Becker Side Channel Blowers DVP Vacuum Pumps Australia. The company i work for bought one from these guys and they are a solid unit for a reasonable price. The one we use is able to get a perfect vacuum in a couple seconds.

Thanks Steamjunkprops, appreciate the recommendation. Is there any particular pump you'd recommend for the application?

Originally Posted by Scott

Thanks Steamjunkprops, appreciate the recommendation. Is there any particular pump you'd recommend for the application?

Its worth giving them a buzz and talking to them about your requirements and use for it. From memory they were really helpful and friendly

Originally Posted by steamjunkprops

Its worth giving them a buzz and talking to them about your requirements and use for it. From memory they were really helpful and friendly

Thank you

hi scott,
not sure if you are interested but there is another option
i have a vac chuck that runs of my air compressor
just a box that has a couple of venturi elements
and a pipe with a hollow tube thru the head stock
hook up the air and away you go!!!!!!!!!
i can photograph for you if interested ???
cheers smiife

Originally Posted by smiife

hi scott,
not sure if you are interested but there is another option
i have a vac chuck that runs of my air compressor
just a box that has a couple of venturi elements
and a pipe with a hollow tube thru the head stock
hook up the air and away you go!!!!!!!!!
i can photograph for you if interested ???
cheers smiife

Now that sounds like a good idea, photo's would be great, thank you. I'll PM you with my email address