Vacuum & Compressor

Simple vacuum pump for veneer pressing, board building. Also doubles as a low volume compressor for small airspray jobs. This is presented as a tool for building stuff, I've been using it for years and built it without documenting the process therefore its not really an 'instructable' but more of a general plan for creating the tool. All thats needed to put this together is a 1/2" wrench, some PTFE tape and parts from http://www.joewoodworker.com/veneering/welcome.htm

Step 1 Pump

Comments

[cokebottle tuque]

your mising the point in that there are no instructions as to how you actualy made the thing. though it looks like you just modified a vacuum pump...

[radiorental]

Let me know which particular part you'd like more details on and I'll spell it out.

To me, pictures speak a thousand word, I'm very much a visual spacial person. I can pic up from these images what I need to get and put it together. In fact, there's little point in going in to specific details for the following very important reason. I salvage parts from bins and outher broken devices. Giving you detailed instruction on putting this together is of little use as you are unlikely to ever find the exact same parts.

However, you will find most stuff needed to make the vacuum side of things here: http://www.joewoodworker.com/veneering/welcome.htm

Any questions, fire away, constructive critism.. bring it on.

[emver333]

what type of pump did you use? Is it a 12v tire inflator? up to what pressure can it reach inside the tank? How long can you fill it up?

[static]

Respectfully, I feel it would make a simpler instructable if you dealt only with the vacuum side of things. Better detail in how the connection to the vacuum bag would be appreciated. If one can't find a free volume tank,(what you labeled vacuum chamber, one can be built from PVC less expensively out of a length of pipe, and 2 pipe caps. Perhaps you had the pipe T on hand already I don't know. Anyone who has a car, has a vacuum source. Not as handy as a dedicated vacuum bench, but something to do the odd job. Those who's shop already has a good air compressor Harbor Freight sells a venturi type of vacuum pump. Some used an old refer compressor to build one with. S.

[gummiworm]

Can this be used in the construction of high-performance solar panels? The kind of solar panels that calls for silicon and vaccums?

[radiorental]

you would have to point me at details of the construction method needed... thanks

[radiorental]

1) no fancy wiring, check out the block diagram supplemental on the first step.
2)I remember that being the most expensive part, but also remember seeing 2nd hand pumps on ebay with gauges inc.
3)No, again, its just the output of the pump straight in to the tank. Yes, I could do with a pressure cut off and a free-start* valve but I hardly use the airguns.. or have any neumatic tools so I didnt finish this end off 100%... the pump isnt really a compressor.. but it does suck like a.... (o;

cheers - pauric

*If the tank is full I have to open the quick release connector to allow the pump to turn over and get running before connecting back in to the pressure.

[cokebottle tuque]

ok (1) did you do any wiring to control the pump by using pressure switches or is it all done manually? (2) ware did you find a vacuum gage that dident cost an arm and a leg? (3) is it just a vacuum pump with an added tank or did you change something in the pump that is not readily obvious?