All these recent vacuum bagging posts have got me wanting to give it a try.
Has anyone used the Harbor Freight vacuum pump and if so did it make your compressor run continuously. Seems like the way to go since I have a decent sized compressor.
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=3952
Check out http://www.joewoodworker.com/veneering/welcome.htm They have a do it yourself vacuum system that makes use of the venturi valve (similiar to harbor freight). I really think that you would want to have the researve tanks because if your compressor is anything like mine its very loud (and I heard the venture valve makes noise itself). I hope this helps.
We use the following pump as a good starter pump for vacuum infusion projects. It’s pretty cheap and seems to be pretty durable.
Cooltech Robnair Model 15600. Approx cost is $260.00 (phone # 860-491-1437)
here’s a pic of it for those who are interested
Has anyone given one of these a shot yet? I just saw that they are on sale for $17 and might pick one up and give compsand a shot.
Double Post- Sorry, wont let me delete it.
Yes and it works great.You take off the red case and the chunk of metal is inside,that is the part you want the rest can go in the recycle bin.A good sized compressor is needed to run it though,a pancake can get it up to 23"hg,you still need a vac switch,mac valve,and vac gauge though from joewoodworker.For about 100$ total you can be up and running.I’ve also been told you can set the air pressure to acheive the desired vacuum and just use the valve with no swicthes/mac valves etc but I haven’t tried that,I think you would need a much larger compressor too.
Heres the box it comes in…
This is one of my vac setups,the gray box that resembles a pack of smokes is the venturi valve you would find in the harbor freight box.
Joewoodworker.com has the plans and parts to build the rest,any old compressor tank will work fine.
Marke,
your link isn’t working for me… seems to me that for all the price and work to put together a venturi based system,
the actual “vacuum” pumps from harbor freight would be an easier way to go. . . FWIW. . . the first 4 listed here
I also have one of the 1.2 cfm pumps from the link posted above and it works well also.The reason why I set mine up with vacuum switches and mac valves is to easily set my vac pressure when using lighter # eps,and to save power and make equipment last longer because it doesn’t have to run continuosly.The actual vacuum pump will cost about 45$ more than the venturi and the only difference is you dont need an air compressor to pull vacuum.My venturi set up kicks on about every 5-10 minutes and only runs for about 20 seconds,(the compressor runs half as much to power the pump)the same as the 1.2 cfm pump setup.The only difference is if you save 45$(I can get 3 2# eps longboard blanks for that) on your pump setup for having an air compressor.
K.I.S.S.
Buy one of these:
Gast DOA-P104 (please note that this one is missing the vac guages that are usually included)
You can find them pretty cheap on Ebay…take your time…they pop up.
This will not require you to run a loud compressor.
It costs as much or less than all the add on kit parts you’ll wind up buying from Joe Woodworker
I’ve never been able to understand how a gallon worth of vaccuum reserve is useful when I’m dealing with an 8’x36" bag…I think those PVC tanks are a racquet or at least inapplicable to “big bag” veneering…these systems are scoped for guys making fancy wood cigar boxes.
It has a built in vac guage, bleeder valve…is rated to run continuously and is quiet enough that I run it in my garage within spitting distance of my neighbor’s bedroom well in to the wee hours of the morning (late night lams).
The only point worth making about this pump is that it has low CFM…this means that you will want to keep a cheap shopvac or old vacuum in the garage to suck out the majority of the air before sealing and letting the pump do the rest…upside is that you have plenty of time to fidget with the bag orientation as it reaches pressure; Bag clamps make this a no brainer…quick and easy.
And before anyone buys any parts from Joe Woodworker…message username PRCalDude here on the forums…I think he’s selling his new and unused Joe Woodworker kit and could save you some money on all those parts if you do decide to go that route.
Ive got a small vac reserve on my system and it makes a huge difference. If I clamp it off the pump cycles on every10-15 seconds instead of every few minutes. Despite the size of the bag there is very little air in it.
Whats this K.I.S.S reference you keep making?
Totally agree with afoaf here.
I picked up a used one of these from a medical supply site for $150
It is quiet enough for me to run it with my daughter sleeping in the next room.
We are going to build one of those reservior systems as well, but only for doing multiple boards at a time.
We got a couple of the pumps that are used for refrigeration. They are not capable of constant run so rigging up one of those systems with the tanks and switches would be perfect for baging 2 or more boards at a time.
Just my 1.874 cents
Since I have a 7 1/2 HP 17 CFM 80 GALLON Air Compressor and have no noise abatements this may be the way to go?
ALOAF whats your take considering that I have the shop to do it in?
Once I have all the parts plus bag I’m in business. Or am I missing something here?
Look, a jet setting, international man of mystery such as yourself can afford all the widgets in the world!
In all seriousness, I’d just buy the pump I showed you when I saw you last.
Sure, you have a massive compressor and no noise restrictions, but do you really want to have to listen to that thing for 4+ hours?
You could drop the money on the switched system, PRCalDude was the guy that was with me when we came down and bought all that foam…buy his system and go nuts.
OK ALOAF! So buy the one you showed me. I hear you load and clear!
Does Todd have the same one?
I need to get busy building some special Compsands.
Next week I go to Mexico the week after I will be in Chicago.
So when I get back from Chicago come over and lets put one together with this new high tech material that you can drop from 30,000 feet with no damage and should yeild a surfboard that weights in a 4.13 pounds for a 6’1" x 18 1/2" x 2 1/4". With a flex ratio equal to PU/PU. This is all in theory so I need to prove it. This will be an alternative to standard board production, however would like to do 4 at a time. I’m sure Todd has this already figured out? The PU/PE is working so well however looking for the longentivy without the stiffness!
Let’s not forget performance is first priority.
Hey surfding! I’m with afoaf here.
If the pump he showed you was the GAST he talked about…it makes the sytem a no brainer.
Seal the bag…attach the pump…set it at about 20hg and walk away. It’s that simple.
Well…not quite…you still need peel ply, breather etc…but you know what I mean.
HEY! I want in on this one!
I gotta see this material!
SD, if I can help you on this one, COUNT ME IN!
I know how your theories go so I would LOVE to help you prove it!
I might have to “con” you into squeezing one in for me at the same time though;-) lol
BTW…I just got back fro Mex…Soladita was INSANE!
Sounds like plan. I’m all about sharing ideals. Once I get all the stuff come on over with Aloaf. You guy’s have done a few so I am open to any ideals.
I have a two week travel schedule then I wil have a couple of weeks to burn. I’ll let you guy’s know as we get close. We can put a few together at the man cave.
The Ideal is to vacuum bag the high tech material then have our glassers finish them!
There’s nothing you can’t acomplish as long as you don’t care who get’s the credit!
DONE DEAL!