The vacuum journey begins

Rob Keeble

Member
Messages
12,633
Location
GTA Ontario Canada
Well after returning this pm from Niagara, to pick up some purchases one of which was the vacuum pump i ordered via an ebay supplier, I am happy to report that i am over the moon at the pump i purchased.:woot::bliss::bliss:

First i was skeptical all stemming from perception based on the suppliers picture of this pump. But when i picked up the box all skeptism went out the window.

Cannot say enough about the help i got here from everyone in understanding and easing my concerns. Thread here

This pump is still US made quality. Its got heft and you guys know the brand GAST and they specialise in these things. Its rated at 10CFM and honestly i could not believe from the picture again that it was going to be capable of this. But now i dont doubt it.

I have put a kleenex box in the picture because scale is needed to get an idea of the size of this baby. And for weight man its got heft.

IMG_1426.JPGIMG_1430.JPGIMG_1435.JPGIMG_1429.JPG

Vacuum gauge is just for scale that came from Joe Woodworker. BTW a mini manual was also supplied with full parts breakdown.

The supplier is this guy if anyone wants to join my journey and i am pleased to say well packed free shipping and the guy was most helpful when i enquired as to why he has two of the same model but at different price and the answer by the way is merely the medical receptacle on some of them. The unit has been refurbished and a quick check of the filters that go in the front where you see the two black plugs showed that they been swapped over for new. Cant wait to get it powered up and see how it sucks. LOL. For $169 this is going to do more than satisfy my needs. Its a continuous run unit and has thermal cut out too. Couldnt ask for more.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Gast-1-2-HP.../201207910883?pt=BI_Pumps&hash=item2ed8ed11e3

And if you into muzzle loading parts this guy does them too...Frank Fusco. :)
http://www.ebay.com/sch/Sporting-Go...em2ed8ed11e3&pt=BI_Pumps&_ssn=muzzleloader707

Will let you guys know how she runs when i get a new cord and receptacle on it.
 
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If you are putting it on a vacuum bag for veneering, you are good to go (or darn close). But if you are using it for a vacuum hold down, put a disposable or cleanable filter on it, or run it through a tank. It took forever to get the sawdust out of my Gast when I tried it as a sanding hold down.
 
That thing really sucks some air, it should evacuate the vac bag really quick; good choice. We have a Gast vacuum pump as our pond aeration pump (vacuum pumps also blow, but in a good way;)). It was 5 years old when I bought it 3 years ago...it runs 24/7 6 months a year with not a wimper.
 
Add me to the "I gotta watch this group". I looked into doing this about a year ago. Almost bought a pump, but just could not convince my self to spend the money. Person could get into all sorts of fun stuff with a vacuum pump....
 
Well work has begun and i have been delinquent in posting an update.
So here goes.
Got hold of what i call a dolley from Lowes....wanted one without inflatable tires and cheap. Not the best made in USA product it turns out.
Anyway mounted BB ply and then this heavy sucker pump. Put pump on vibration mounts for what its worth...surplus $2 so what the heck.
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Made wood brackets for mounting air tank (cut on bandsaw) have yet to secure it.
Have all fittings finally on hand been waiting for a couple of brass unions to be able to get my pipe work done and connected. Dont know how all brass is going to pan out as far as leaks are concerned time will tell. :)

uploadfromtaptalk1418743363490.jpguploadfromtaptalk1418743378107.jpg

Want to mention a diamond in the rough i found at Harbor Freight. I need to tap the end caps of the plastic pipe small tank (yet to be cut down if u see it in the pic). Npt taps and dies run at a hefty price around me if i could find them. So this $15 set of three sizes to me was so worth buying and having around for who knows what else.
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Now i hope to get er done and working. Looking forward to having some real fun with this tool.

(Sent from my SGH-I337M using Tapatalk) NOT!!!! Darn Tapatalk goes and puts duplicate images all over the show and requires editing via computer thats the last time i use it to upload a post.
 
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2 questions.

What size brass plumbing are you using? This affects the CFM, or how quickly a system will draw air out of the vacuum chamber.

Do you have a flexible link between the pump and the rest of the system? If not, you may be setting yourself up for leaks. A short piece of thick walled tubing works well. Barbed fittings with a hose clamp.
 
Carol all will be 1/4 NPT and i do have flex pipe with threaded barbs on hand. Time will tell if my plumbing experience gained with my Dad at 14 is going to pay off on my joints. All pipe we had back in my growing days was steel and we cut and threaded lots of it for his household projects.
 
Looking good so far, Rob. I may have missed something, but what is the purpose of the small tank? I assume the blue tank is your buffer.

Incidentally, I used 1/4" ID braid reinforced flexible tubing between my pump and the brass tee fitting going into my pvc buffer tank and from the other side of the tee to the brass fittings for the vacuum gauge and filter. The input side of the filter has a 1/4" npt for the flex going to my bag or bucket.
 
Bill here is an extract of what the two tanks are for taken from the "about EVS" section of Joe Woodworker website

Vacuum Reservoirs/Sub-Reservoir: The main reservoirs in the system hold spare vacuum just like a rechargeable battery. These reservoirs prevent the system from constantly cycling on and off by providing additional vacuum buffer. The sub-reservoir is a small holding tank of free air that allows the pump to achieve full RPM when starting up without back-pressure against the pump intake port.

The full story is here for anyone wanting to read all about the EVS system

http://www.joewoodworker.com/veneering/EVS/concept.htm
 
OK, that process has parts added that weren't called out when I built my system. Apparently, they might be needed when using some pumps. I have had no issue with the original design that I used with my Robinaire pump. The only real difference is I don't need a MAC valve and sub-reservoir.
 
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