Replies

1. 
   JohnWW | Dec 31, 2003 05:20pm | #1

   Eric,

   This was asked, and answered, here in Knots sometime in the last six months or so.  You could try searching the site or with luck somebody will repost the information.

   John W.

2. 
   Scrit | Dec 31, 2003 08:28pm | #2

   Try Trend. What you are looking for is the U-Mach kit stuff. This is a kit of seals, ball check valves, etc. I have used this and it does work. It is also a heck of a lot cheaper that the other Italian stuff we have used on the CNC in the past. For details follow this link to Trend in the UK. Their stuff is now available in the USA

   Regards

   Scrit

1. 
   Elcoholic | Dec 31, 2003 09:13pm | #3

   I would just add that the U-Mach kit is made by Carter and I got mine from Rockler.  I have not found a real need for the valve except with large panels (more area = more force).  Narrow chair parts pry off by hand easy enough that I don't bother with the valve.  I use the wife's Mini-turbo Fein for the vac board while using my Fein for the tool.  Since the Fein's have bypass cooling, I wrap cellophane around the slotted vac hose connector for extra pull on narrow strechers that don't have much surface area and may be a bit out of dead flat.  I haven't overheated it yet, but I do keep an eye on it.John O'Connell - JKO Handcrafted Woodworking

   Life is tough.  It's tougher if you're stupid - John Wayne

1. 
   Scrit | Jan 01, 2004 09:48pm | #5

   Hi John

   The U-Mach sold by Trend is made in the UK by a company which has copyrighted it's ideas. They started selling the V-Mach then later the Mini-Mach about eight to ten years back. Trend (another British outfit) are the worldwide distributors for their products. As a CNC owner I am well aware of the Carter flip-pod system and its derivatives, however the main difference is that the Carter products use a nylon ball check as opposed to the U-Mach sprung steel ball. I have also found the price of the Carter product to be considerably higher in Europe. The other major supplier of vacuum components is Vuototechnica, an Italian company (sadly the site appears to be in Italian, but they do supply plunger-operated vacuum cup valves) who supply bed components to Biesse and other CNC manufacturers. The biggest problem with this sort o stuff is generally the outrageous prices suppliers want to charge

   Regards

   Scrit

   Edited 1/1/2004 1:58:44 PM ET by Scrit

   Edited 1/1/2004 1:59:56 PM ET by Scrit

1. 
   Elcoholic | Jan 02, 2004 07:21pm | #9

   I stand corrected.  What I have is the U-Mach, funny I thought it was made by Carter.  Oh  well, it works like a champ.John O'Connell - JKO Handcrafted Woodworking

   Life is tough.  It's tougher if you're stupid - John Wayne

2. 
   tufenhundel | Jan 01, 2004 12:14am | #4

   Scrit:

   Thanks a ton.  I've been looking all over for these ball valves forever for my shop jigs.

3. 
   forestgirl | Jan 01, 2004 10:21pm | #6

   Eric, is this possibly what you're looking for:
   http://www.eagle-america.com/html/catalog/productGroup.asp?id=334361

   See last item on page, "Ball valve assembly"  $11.99 for set of 6

   If I'm way off base, I apologize.

   forestgirl Another proud member of the  "I Rocked With ToolDoc Club" .... :>)  you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)

1. 
   EricAnderson | Jan 02, 2004 12:52am | #7

   You hit the nail right on the head!  And the price is what I expected for the device.  Thanks.  You don't know how hard I was looking for this. 

1. 
   forestgirl | Jan 02, 2004 01:45am | #8

   Total serendipity, Eric!  I was lounging in front of the TV last night, looking through the Eagle catalog, and just happened to see those.  When I saw your thread this morning, it was like "BINGO!"  Then, of course, had to figure where I'd seen them.forestgirl Another proud member of the  "I Rocked With ToolDoc Club" .... :>)  you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)