I REALLY would like to get everyone’s opinion about this.
I bought a couple of Gast carbon vane vacuum pumps some time ago. I
have looked at Joe Woodworker. I have talked to Gast and other vacuum
pump companies. For the life of me, I don’t know why anyone would buy
anything but a rotary vane pump. The Gast 522 series(older model) and
523 series have 4.5 cfm at 26″, use 1/4 hp motors, are pulse free and
don’t have any startup problems. I run these directly with no fancy
shutoff or unload valves or accumulators. They run continuously
during the vacuum clamping operation. Why wouldn’t everyone use this
pump for vacuum clamping applications? Why does Joe Woodworker have
all the claptrap to do the same job? These pumps sell for slightly
over $100 on Ebay and somewhere just over $200 new. They are quiet
and long lasting (thousands of hours on a set of vanes).
I am slated to do a demonstration for our woodworker’s guild in about
6 months and I am trying to get all kinds of information about vacuum
clamping, venier work and other applications for vacuum so I can give
a good presentation. I would like any and all ideas that would be
useful to present to the guild including where components can be obtained (seals, ball valves, pumps, etc).
Replies
I wouldn't want a setup that runs continuously. I built my own setup similiar to the one a joe woodworker. One of the problems with a continuous running pump is that you have no control of the pressure. If you pull too much vacuum you run the risk of boiling the glue. Sometimes you need to set the system for lower vacuum and the ability to adjust the setpoint is important.
How did you get selected to give a seminar on veneering? Do you have a lot of veneering experience and are just not familiar with other equipment?
Tom
Douglasville, GA
I put together a real simple vacuum clamping and control system and everyone seemed to remember it.
I have not had any problem with boiling the glue. I guess I could control the vacuum by creating an intentional leak that sets the vacuum level I need. The pump has a very constant flow rate. It is quiet.
I guess I should get a refrigerator compressor to demo what it could do.
If you pull too much vacuum you run the risk of boiling the glue.
I think this is one of the "secrets" that most people don't realize. Raise the "vacuum" and the boiling point temperature is lowered
>>For the life of me, I don't know why anyone would buy
>>anything but a rotary vane pump.
How do they hold up to solvents? I am looking for a suitable pump to use on a homemade vacuum still for recycling stripper and lacquer thinner.
Michael R.
My best recommendation would be to talk with a manufacturer such as GAST. They would be the ones to put you in a safe direction to your needs.
I concur. The motor runs at 3600 RPM and I would be concerned having laquer thinner in a pump like that.
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