I’m wanting to set up a basic vac bagging setup to try some new layups on my boards. Can anybody recommend any places in sydney to get supplies?
Also am I missing anything from this list:
Vac pump + hoses and fittings
Bags / Plastic
Peel Ply
Breather layer (hessian bags?)
I’m not planning on doing compsand, I want to use the vac for laying up some alternate fabrics. Will I need a rocker table for these kinds of layups, eg Inegra & S glass lam around stringerless blank? or would the blank hold its shape if you put it in a free bag not attached to a table?
If not, read up, 'cos it’s excellent. I built this setup (minus the mac valve), no probs at all getting parts shipped from Joe Woodworker in the USA to Melbourne, Oz… Key features are a reservoir, to avoid cycling the pump, and a pressure-activated switch, which you can preset to the level of vacuum you want to achieve. The switch trips at that pressure, and turns off the pump automatically. I know Surfding has built this setup, and probably a few others on sways. The only downside is it cost me about $200 for parts from joewoodworker, then another $130 for a vacuum pump off ebay (like the one surffoils showed). But it’s worth it to have a reliable vacuum setup that you know you can use without worry of failure - the last thing you want is issues just after putting a board in the bag.
So, looking further into this and going to buy a pump in the next couple of days hopefully, which has opened up some more questions…
is a 1 or 2 stage pump better for the job?
What is the purpose of the resevoir? is it just like an air compressor tank? If so I have a spare one laying around. is the point of the resevoir to set it up like an air compressor with a pressure switch so that the pump isn’t constantly running?
How do you adjust how much pressure the vac is pulling? Is it just a setting on the regulator that bleeds if too much pressure is being pulled?
Sure i will have many many more newbie questions as I delve deeper into this
When doing my study for a pump I read that you don’t need/want a 2 stage pump, can’t remember why now but it made sense at the time
Yes, the tank is for a resevoir the same as a compressor and helps with the pump cycling, you will need a pressure switch setup which answers your other question/s.
This link here is my favourite switch/regulator type set up, just whack a tank in the line somewhere and it should have a longer time between cycles -> http://www.dream-models.com/eco/vacuumpump.html
After doing my research I bought a 3cfm pump off ebay for about 120 bucks delivered, still have to get some fittings etc and I will be making a resevoir and switch set up (using a car vacuum advance unit) as I don’t like the idea of it running continuously for hours on end. I’m moving house shortly and probably won’t get it built 'till then but can’t wait!
For hose fittings I’m going to try the plastic truck airlines and the quick couplings they use, should make things a bit easier to set up.
Can’t tell you where to get supplies over in auz, but I do have a comment on your 1st post. If your going to free bag either use a stringered blank or put a strongback (with your rocker shape) in the bag with your blank if your not using a rocker table. I made that mistake once and it changed my rocker some(a little flatter) and put a twist or warp in the design.
As for the pump, it might be a little small. It says that it will pull 10" mercury. I usually lam @ around 10" to 11", and if I’m building a compsand, I may bump it up to 12".
OK it might not pull a huge amount of vacuum, but the real downside with these is that they’re meant to pull continuously on a closed system.
I was using a similar one, dual stage and because I had to bleed to stop it crushing the blank, it span too fast for extended periods and wore out one of the vanes.
Still not fixed…
In the meantime got an old fridge compressor, and it works a treat! Plus it was free!
If you’re on the northern beaches I can point you in the right direction for vac bag plastic, peel ply and breather - FGI Clearwater Place Brookvale
For pump fittings research a business called heatcraft - they supply the commercial heating and refridgeration trades, or alternatively find a friendly hydraulic servicing workshop for connectors and tubing.
Let me know where you are specificially and I can tell you who to go to for which bits and pieces
Pirate, if youre on the northern beaches, especially near 'fresh, let me know. I use that exact pump and Ive done100 board with it. Ive got my own el cheapo system to do bagging and I can steer you in the right direction as to suppliers and ways to do what you want.
cheers foils, pics to start would be great, and maybe if i’m still confused I might try and pop over sometime when your bagging one. that would be great.
Forgot to mention that clear builders plastic in rolls can be used, though It’s not as durable.
Also there are different qualities (not necessarily price dependant) one looks like it was formed in a dusty dirty factory and has lots of small indentations which left me chasing lots of small pinholes.
->