Replies

1. 
   CSolar | Nov 02, 2008 05:00am | #1

   There's some good information on vacuum pumps (and press-building) here:
   http://www.joewoodworker.com/veneering/EVS/vacuum-pumps.htm

   From looking at the spec sheet for that pump, I think it's the "oil bath" variety. As the document above states, these "...are a bit louder and have a tendency to emit a light plume of oil into the air. For some users, this can be a problem. This type of pump requires occasional oil changes and can draw a large amount of amperage."

   It doesn't sound like an ideal choice, but it should be powerful enough.

   (I bought a Gast rotary-vane pump off eBay a couple of years ago, and built an auto-cycling press using the Joe WW plans. It works well.)

   Chris.

1. 
   EdHarrow | Nov 02, 2008 07:46pm | #2

   The issue with oil-sealed pumps is that moisture tends to become entrained in the oil, esp pumps that are run intermittenly, and/or in humid areas.  It is also possible, tho very unlikely in this application, for oil to 'backstream' from the pump back through the hose to the vacuum bag.  I stress that, because of leaks etc, the reality of this happening in this application is extremely low.

   Moisture in the oil will have negative effects on the pump, and will limit the ultimate pressure that the pump can achieve.  I wouldn't eliminate consideration of a pump for the reason that it is oil sealed, however. 

2. 
   mrfu | Nov 02, 2008 08:07pm | #3

   Go for it! It will work just fine and the price is right. The Joe woodworker sight has a lot of good info on setting up a press system, their info on pumps that was linked has some bad info on it. The stuff he says about rotary vane pumps is pretty misleading especially saying to have a spare on hand because they overheat. These are the pumps that most of the companies that make vacuum press set ups use and they don't run long enough to overheat.
   I have one we used to run overnight before it was set up to cycle on and off and it never overheated. If you get the correct vacuum switch they are not hard to wire. It's disappointing to see some bad info from a good web site.
   Another good source for parts is http://www.anver.com they carry some really nice all aluminum check valves and a wide variety of filters.

1. 
   skycowboypaul | Nov 17, 2008 06:41am | #4

   I did "Go for it."  I got the vacuum pump for fifty bucks on Craigslist.  I bought a 2' x 9' polyurethane vacuum bag, some breather mesh and a lock on vacuum connector from veneersupplies.com.  I went to my local Ace Hardware store and got a few brass fittings and some braided hose and hooked everything up.  Of course there is no filter or gauge on my system yet, but that is next.  I was in a hurry and had to get the walnut glued to my stave core.  What a dream it was not having to drag out a hundred clamps to glue the veneers to the stave core.  I have resisted the vacuum bags for years, always doing it the old way, (maybe because I am old :-)) but I am sold on the bag method now.  And as for that FastVac vacuum pump, it worked flawlessly.  It runs so quiet I had to put my hand on it a few times to confirm that is was running.  I have attached a few pictures of my setup and a couple of the finished pieces.