Dual use of the VAC-SYS pump?

[RC]

I read Sitting Elf's post on getting the VAC-SYS set and it got me thinking about possible additional uses for a vacuum pump in the shop...

I wonder if its powerful enough and rated for continuous use to be used for running a vacuum bag for veneering when not in vacuum clamp use?

Anyone know or have tried it?

 

[Rick Christopherson]

VacSys uses a rotary vane pump, which by its nature is generally considered a continuous duty pump versus other types of pumps. However, I don't know if the motor driving the pump is rated for continuous duty. Obviously it is rated for a long enough duty to function as a vacuum clamp, which can mean running all day in a shop. It just doesn't actually have that printed on the nameplate.

In an ideal world, you would actually want a shut-off valve between the pump and vacuum bag so that the pump runs only long enough to draw the vacuum and then can be shut off until air leaks require a replenishment of the vacuum. The difference with vacuum bagging is that the run time can be very long while waiting for glues to dry. But on a positive note to that, the load on the motor is actually the lowest when a full vacuum is being drawn. In other words, the motor is working the hardest when the pump is running free-air with no vacuum.

 

[rst]

Before I bought a surplus AC vacuum pump ($25.00) I used the intake of my shop vac and later the intake of my air compressor for my vacuum jigs.

 

[tbellemare]

My Dad and I built a compressor using an old wash machine motor and an old auto A/C compressor. We screwed the compressor onto a 2x6 and strapped the motor on with some Simpson straps to adjust the belt.

We used old freon bottles for capacity and portability of air, like to inflate tires in the field.

The suction side of the pump (old A/C compressor) was used repeatedly to evacuate auto air conditioners. We had a big family and a lot of old cars...

It was pretty ghetto but making something that works well out of scrap can be rewarding - also we didn't have the funds at the time to do anything else.

Tom

 

[junk731]

It would be relatively easy to piece together a pressure operated control system to turn the Vac Sys pump on/off with parts and drawings from the Joe Woodworker site. The following link should provide enough info for those with some basic mechanical aptitude.

http://www.joewoodworker.com/veneering/EVS/concept.htm

John

 

[mouppe]

My vacuum pump has a continuous run mode for use as a clamp and an auto-cycling mode when veneering, and it recommends not to use the clamp mode for more than 15 minutes at a time.

I reckon there are better and cheaper ways to get into vacuum bag veneering. I usually veneer overnight, which would be very demanding on a continuous-run pump.