Aloha All:
There are lots of mentions of different vacuum pumps in the archives and resources, but I’m wondering what the best vacuum pumps are these days for building compsand boards?
I’m interested in something that is commercial quality and that will last, any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.
Ideally links to sites for different manufacturers would also be great!
It would also be helpful to know why you think a particular model or brand is worthy of consideration.
Mahalo!
-Robin
Hi Robin,
as a hobby builder I play with an ancient GE vane pump but guys I know that build windsurfers swear by Rietschle-Thomas pumps.
they have a good overview of tech and spec.
happy hunting!
I went to ebay and looked for Gast pumps. Then go to www.gastmfg.com and check the specs. I found a pump with vac and pressure, gauges and bleeder valves, rated 24/7. Since I only run it 6 hours at a time I figure my grandkids will inherit this pump.
One thing though, there seems to be a market for vacuum pumps and I got outbid several times before winning a pump. But that let’s you know what you want and what the fair market price is. Mine was new- $130.
Figure out your maximum bid and snipe it.
Aloha All:
I really appreciate all of the answers. I found this pump and was wondering if anyone had any expereince with this company. Seems like a nice pump although it is fairly expensive.
http://www.usvacuumpumps.com/welcome/cp_series_-_5_8b.html
The one I’m looking at is the CPS-5B which is a 5 CFM pump.
-Robin
Robin, a bit dissapointed that you didn’t get more answers after 477 views. Maybe most people just got the cheapest pump s/h that they could and were psyched out by spending $300 plus on a pump. I have’nt got anything up and running yet but picked up a good looking rotary vane pump off ebay but I did a bit of research and came to the conclusion that if I was to have a system that switched on and off to maintain a steady vacuum it is far cheaper and easier for me even though I am in the UK to get all the dials and switches and fittings from joewoodworker. Their vacuum switch is rated to cycle on/off over 4" Hg difference which seems a little large for our use although I inquired and apparently it is usually in reality nearer 2-3" Hg.
Only if I go for a continuous running system is it easier to get the bits locally and bleed of excess vacuum. I guess thats a comment on the state of UK industry.
I like the idea of the Gast or Riechle Thomas pumps on joewoodworking because you can buy parts to service them as they are major players in the market. As a shaper you probably have a good compressor so what about using the venturi system? No moving parts and pretty light to have shipped to you. Sorry no more practical advice but at least this bumped the topic up.
Mark
All right, now you’ve embarrassed me, Mark. 
I guess my advice is just to not worry too much about specs. I bought a dual-rotary vane Gast on eBay for about $35 (another $20 for shipping from Ohio). I don’t even remember the model # or the specifications, all I was looking for was something that would pull over 20 " Hg and move more than a couple cubic feet / min. I take most of the air out of the bag with a shop vac first, and then the pump runs for about 5 more minutes to get the boards down to about 10". Auto-vac switch (keeps it from running continuously) brings it back on at 7". Usually, with a board in a good PVC tube-bag, it’ll run for about 30 seconds out of every 7 or 8 minutes.
Kiteboards with corecell or divinycell cores get higher pressures - set the switch to about 18" & it will bleed down (a little faster) and come back on at 15". No delam issues with either one.
Pumps are like cars: You can make them fast, cheap, and realiable…pick two.
My humble old fridge compressor pulls 28"hg with no problems at.
OK, stop looking at me that way. I’m already ashamed.