Speculations over Festool's VAC SYS

[Terp]

Hi all,
  I saw this last year on a website I found.  It's a shop made vacuum pump & it is super.  I built mine for about 300.00 total, including the 4 x 8' bag.  Mine is the venturi system & it does not run very often unless it leaks, like any system.  The secret is in the charging chambers.  It'll work for anything requiring vacuum pressure too.  I've done alot of veneering with bag systems over the years & this really works well.
  Per, the EVS system, on this site, looks alot like yours.  It uses an electric pump instead of a compressor.  I have a large 80 gallon compressor, but it should work well with a smaller one, the compressor might run more often though.  Every ten minutes or so the venturi on mine sends a puff of air to recharge the vacuum pressure.  My compressor hardly runs at all from that.
http://www.joewoodworker.com/veneering/decidingtobuild.htm

 

[Terp]

Whoops,
  Looks like I've posted before seeing page two of the thread.  Now that I have, I can see others here have also found Joe Woodworker. 
As I said, it all works as described.  It also rivals any $800 - $1000.00 vac. pump I've ever used.  Highly recommended. 
  Just don't drive around with it on the front seat.  I live near Washington DC, & I fear the homeland security folks.    It really looks like an IED.  ;D
Not really funny in these terrorist time, but geez look at these things.  Mine hangs on the wall & everyone asks what it is!

 

[Dave Ronyak]

Hi all,
  I saw this last year on a website I found.  It's a shop made vacuum pump & it is super.  I built mine for about 300.00 total, including the 4 x 8' bag.  Mine is the venturi system & it does not run very often unless it leaks, like any system.  The secret is in the charging chambers.  It'll work for anything requiring vacuum pressure too.  I've done alot of veneering with bag systems over the years & this really works well.
  Per, the EVS system, on this site, looks alot like yours.  It uses an electric pump instead of a compressor.  I have a large 80 gallon compressor, but it should work well with a smaller one, the compressor might run more often though.  Every ten minutes or so the venturi on mine sends a puff of air to recharge the vacuum pressure.  My compressor hardly runs at all from that.
http://www.joewoodworker.com/veneering/decidingtobuild.htm

Terp,

I have been interested in learning about use of vacuum bagging techniques for a long time, but the entry cost of a bagging system has kept me away as well as my complete lack of experience regarding their utility for myself as a hobbyist/DIYer.  Where can one buy those parts, especially including a 4' x 8' bag at the prices you stated.  The ads I have been seeing often list the price of the bag alone at over $300, with thick, high quality PU bags costing significantly more.

Dave R.

 

[Terp]

Dave,
  That website shown in my link above sells everything.  Joewoodworker.com is a great source.  The vacuum pump is shop made with some parts from Joe & some from the plumbing supply store.  The entire set of instructions is available for viewing & download at joes site.  He also sells the parts to make the pump as a kit.  Either way you supply the plywood & the PVC chambers.  It's a real easy build & designed for the novice DIY'er. 
  The veneer bag I got there also.  Joe sells some occasionally at great discounts.  They are tremendous bags.  Mine had had a hole 2" from the open end so Joe had trimmed the 2" off & sold it for $100.00, a bargain.  The actual price wasn't bad either, though you'll need to check his inventory on the site.
  Good luck & I can certainly give guidance if you build it.

BTW,  This is the link to Joe's affiliated site, the actual store.  It's here you'll find bags & pump kits/parts.
http://www.veneersupplies.com/

 

[Dave Ronyak]

Thanks, Terp. 

... So many things I want to try ... little time ... and space.

Dave R.

 

[Terp]

Well,
  Stay away from the vacuum pump then.  It'll just give you alot more possible projects.  ;D