Vac-Sys my version

[junk731]

The talk about the Vac-Sys a while back got me thinking how handy a tool it could be. Got looking around, read counterfixes posts and even made a Sketch Up drawing. Went to Lee Valley the other day and saw the vac pad they sell that works on venturi, then spotted the Carvers Clamp, bought them both. Yesterday I mated the two. The results are shown in the pics. Next step is to get a Vacuum Pump and foot switch.

John

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[Wood_Junkie]

Very ingenius! 

 

[jmbfestool]

Very nice!  But the last picture shows you holding 2x1?  Well their is a open area which is just sucking empty space so you would be loosing sucking all the time so your pump will be running non stop right? It must not be holding that 2x1 as well as it could be if you was to block the rest of your pad of with some scrap ply.

JMB

 

[junk731]

The pad can be sectioned off with different sized gaskets that come with the pad, that pic shows a piece of 1x3x3/4 planed maple in the smallest section. The smallest width you can clamp is 2 1/4". There is no suction at all if there is any uncovered area.

Thanx for the comments

John

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[jmbfestool]

The pad can be sectioned off with different sized gaskets that come with the pad, that pic shows a piece of 1x3x3/4 planed maple in the smallest section. The smallest width you can clamp is 2 1/4". There is no suction at all if there is any uncovered area.

Thanx for the comments

John

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Aaaa! I see now!  Clever!  Just change the rubbers!  Sound!  Nice idea!

 

[venk67]

[smile]  Will either the V- clamp or the VAC SYS by Festool actually hold down 1/2 inch plywood ( I am using baltic birch, but also have non-baltic birch), I need to use my router and sander

 

[junk731]

I'm using a lot of baltic birch ply right now, just finished working with maple veneer ply and MDF both routing edge banding and sanding. Haven't had any problems with the V-Clamp pictured. It amazes how a small 6" x 6" pad can hold large panels with ease.

John

 

[rookie08]

John,

That is so cool!  [thumbs up]

Do you find your compressor cycling on and off a lot?  I have a smaller Dewalt that puts out 2CFM at 90psi, (which according to the Lee Valley description will work).  but, considering how loud it is in a basement workshop, I'm afraid it will be going off every 5 minutes. 

What has your experience been with your compressor?

Cheers!

 

[junk731]

I'm running a 5 hp 25 gal unit which I believe is 8 cfm@90psi and it cycles about every 5 to 10 minutes when I have the pressure set at 90 lbs. The nice thing is you don't always have to have the pressure set that high. On the flat you can lower the pressure down around 45 lbs. and it works fine, its only when I'm doing oversized and vertical  stuff that I crank the pressure. I think you'll find your smaller compressor cycling a lot even at the lower pressure and the pad also sounds like a small air leak when switched on.  The really nice thing about a vacuum setup is the time saving on repetitive tasks. I've also bought another pad that I can mount right on the MFT which is great for sanding, routing and a lot of Domino work.

John

 

[ben_r_]

Bumping an old thread. Such a great idea! OP if you're still out there did you ever find a good foot pedal solution?

 

[live4ever]

I too am curious how John is getting on with this setup.  Its price tag is certainly far more appealing than the Vac-sys, especially if it can provide 90% of the vac-sys' functionality at 10% of the price.

 

[junk731]

Ben I haven't gotten a foot pedal yet but there are several that should work. I found one that's around $50.00 CDN at a place called Princess Auto which I believe is similar to Harbor Freight. Also many on Ebay. The current setup uses the accessories from LV and I made a small bracket to mount the valve on the side of the MFT. Since the original posts I've acquired a Vacuum Pump and it works quite well by plugging the ventri hole with a piece of tape. The price is still great and I really don't think the Festool version does anything better just looks prettier and comes in Sustainer, which in my shop, typically collect dust on a shelf. On a side note the Australian company that manufactures the Vacuclamp asked if they could use a pic of the unit on their site.
http://vac-clamp.com/wp/images/
http://www.leevalley.com/en/Wood/page.aspx?p=59743&cat=1,43838

John

 

[Bob D.]

Something like this should work. There are a number of foot pedals in different configurations available. Also you'll see sets of fittings and tubing at reasonable prices.
https://www.amazon.com/Nonslip-Mome...rd_wg=aknEQ&psc=1&refRID=5K9DD7DEMND10A7SS8HF