Replies

1. 
   DonStephan | Sep 24, 2005 05:47am | #1

   Don't know anything about that pump or its suitability. You may be able to get a vacuum pump from distributor in your neighborhood for equivalent price. I purchased a Gast rotary vane 4.7 cfm pump a couple years ago.

   Plug and cord; outlet box or similar to wire 3 way toggle switch for continuous or switched operation; braided vacuum tubing; hose clamps of some type; filter and housing; check valve; vacuum gauge; adustable vacuum switch; T fitting.

   I spent $400 on the components and have yet to find a vacuum switch that works dependably. The cord and vacuum line like to catch on the vacuum switch and hose clamps, the plywood panel on which everything is mounted is cumbersome, I have invested 30 hours to get components, assemble, trouble shoot ... Sure would have been more economical and more satisfying to get the package system from Vacu-Press for $690.

2. 
   dirtstirrer | Sep 24, 2005 08:35am | #2

   Everything you need is here:

   http://www.joewoodworker.com

   and here:

   http://www.veneersupplies.com

   Joes advice is solid and proven.  I built one, and couldn't be happier.  I have a 4' x 8' bag, and a 3 CFM pump, and it works plenty fast enough.  Once you get full vacuum, two min. or so, the pump only cycles two or three times per hour.  Check out Joes caution about used pumps from unknown sources.  Made me think twice about that Ebay pump. 

    

   Steve
1. 
   Bioman | Sep 24, 2005 01:32pm | #4

   Dirtstirrer..........

   Did you use the pump you indicated in conjunction with his DIY vacuum press or without a resevoir setup?

1. 
   dirtstirrer | Sep 24, 2005 06:41pm | #5

   I use it with a resevoir (sp?).  If you check out the gallery, the thread titled "Why I love woodworking" you can see the pump setting on the floor behind all the plane shavings.  The pump I use, a Thomas piston pump, won't restart under vacuum, so the top PVC "handle" of the setup is a vacuum relief chamber.  The bottom two PVC tubes are the vacuum canisters.   

   I bought the vacuum bag that was already assembled, as I was a bit immpatient.

    Steve

3. 
   Crashmo | Sep 24, 2005 09:03am | #3

   I have been using vacuum pumps for years in the model glider world of fiberglassing.  Try the glass people on the west coast for various models.  http://www.acpsales.com  or http://www.cstsales.com are mostly dedicated to epoxy, fiberglass and composites, but they have a variety of vacuum pump systems beginning around $90.00-100.00.  From there you just need a big enough bag to hold all of your forms and veneers.

4. 
   KeithNewton | Sep 25, 2005 01:04am | #6

   Hey Bioman. I just had a group over for an all-day workshop on this subject. I started out by showing them how to take the filter off of the air compressor: open the tank: and replacing it with a hose run to a 55 gallon drum liner; a box of 80 is about $10 and will handle 3' X 4'.

   I like to show people how they can spend $30 - $40 to get started, and get their feet wet, from there, you just start building onto what you learn. You can spend a lot more money, but it probably won't work any faster or better, but when you learn that you can get 200 lbs of pressure per sq. ft. even out in the middle of a big panel, there is something stimulating about gaining this capacity.

   Wish you could have been here. K

5. 
   Bioman | Sep 25, 2005 03:38pm | #7

   Thanks to all who took the time to post for the input.