Has anyone created their own vacuum bag setup using a venturi and their air compressor? I'm looking to do the same and would like to learn of anything you learned in the process. Specifically, I'd like to avoid replicating any mistakes!
Joe
Would the first mistake be an assumption that a $50 vacuum would work better, be less expensive to operate and take less time to get working? Would you not need a huge air compressor drawing a lot of electricity to make a working vacuum?
I *assumed* nothing. I asked for input. Regarding your first question, the answer is I don't know. Is that the mistake you made? I found no $50 vacuum pumps in my search. Based on your implied knowledge of better, less expensive and less time, you either have experience and have chosen not to share it (thanks for nothing) or you have no experience to share and are making assumptions that you accuse me of making. Either way, welcome to my killfile. Oh, and regarding your 2nd question, thank you for repeating it back to me without providing anything in the way of additional information.
plonk,
jc
OK, so I google vacuum bag. I see that they are using a vacuum pump similar to ones used on medical equipment for air conditioning service. The one article suggests that just 11 inches might be enough for their project.
http://www.2l>
I have not used this for a "bagging" system but I have used this to vacuum cast jewelry. I used an old "solder sucker" device used in repairing circuit boards for removing ICs by sucking the solder from around the IC legs. These are quite small and can be operated with most compressors. Most are actuated by a solenoid triggered by a foot switch, I rewired mine with just a manual switch. You might be able to find one at a surplus electronics store.
Joe wrote: | Has anyone created their own vacuum bag setup using a venturi and | their air compressor? I'm looking to do the same and would like to | learn of anything you learned in the process. Specifically, I'd | like to avoid replicating any mistakes!
I took a different approach and use a recycled refrigerator compressor as my vacuum pump. It has worked well for me for about five years, cost nothing, will pull about 25"Hg, and it's _very_ quiet.
-- Morris Dovey DeSoto Solar DeSoto, Iowa USA
"Morris Dovey" wrote in news:46c7992e$0$3567$815e3792 @news.qwest.net:
Did you have to lubricate the compressor in any way? they're normally cooled and lubricated by the freon.
I found no $50 vacuum pumps in my search.
You can try Bill Noble. He often has inexpensive used Gast vacuum pumps that he offers for sale on "rec.crafts.woodturning".
His web site is:
Great link Jack. Thanks.
jc
Jerry wrote: | "Morris Dovey" wrote in | news:46c7992e$0$3567$815e3792 @news.qwest.net: | || Joe wrote: ||| Has anyone created their own vacuum bag setup using a venturi and ||| their air compressor? I'm looking to do the same and would like ||| to learn of anything you learned in the process. Specifically, ||| I'd like to avoid replicating any mistakes! || || I took a different approach and use a recycled refrigerator || compressor as my vacuum pump. It has worked well for me for about || five years, cost nothing, will pull about 25"Hg, and it's _very_ || quiet. | | Did you have to lubricate the compressor in any way? they're | normally cooled and lubricated by the freon.
My understanding is that there's quite a bit of oil in the coolant mix. There was oil in the compressor when I got it, and I haven't added more.
I haven't worried about ruining the 30-YO compressor because friends have brought in three more (recycled) compressors that I've held in reserve.
Murphy's Law says that the current compressor won't fail until I've managed to give away the replacements... :-)
-- Morris Dovey DeSoto Solar DeSoto, Iowa USA
No, it's too damn noisy and vac bagging is a slow process.
Find a vacuum pump - its not hard. You can even use a "Vac-U-Vin" cheap plastic handpump. If the bag's well sealed and there's a non-return valve, you don't need to keep pumping continually.
Hi Joe.
A good source of used vacuum pumps is the graphic arts trade (i.e. supplies for plate making and printing). Every print shop used to have vacuum frames for holding copy flat and in position. All that traditional equipment (large cameras, lights, frames (copy and contact), vacuum pumps) got replaced by scanners. Yellow Pages should help you find a graphic arts dealer in your area.
I also found some small vacuum pumps in an electronics/surplus store quite a few years ago that came from dismantled scientific gear.
Hope this help! Regards.
Andypack
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