vacuum pump help before i buy

ProbsMagobs · Post by **ProbsMagobs** » Sun Dec 02, 2012 5:20 pm

Im about to get started on my snowboard building endeavor and i have some questions about the pump i want to buy. will this pump http://www.veneersupplies.com/products/ ... ystem.html be strong enough to press a snowboard long enough and at high enough pressure for west systems 105 epoxy and 206 hardener? my bag will be somewhere around 2'x7' if that matters. any help would be great as this will be the most expensive part of my project. also, will this breather mesh work on skis/snowboards in the press? i like it because it says its reusable and its relatively cheap http://www.veneersupplies.com/products/ ... shNet.html

sammer · Post by **sammer** » Sun Dec 02, 2012 8:43 pm

I've always thought that might be a good pump for our needs but I'm not 100% sure. Veneer glue drying times are probably quite a bit shorter than west at room temp.
The pump will press your snowboard just fine, Id be worried about burning it up running for that length of time.
Joe is a really good guy, send him a message thru his site and tell him what you need.
You need a pump that can run continuously for 8-9hrs.
I use a refrigeration pump made for evacuating large a/c systems. They can run for hours if not days, but oil mist from their exhaust.
And vacuum pump oil is fairly expensive.
Oil-less would be nice.
Ask Joe.

The breather mesh will leave an imprint if its on top of your layup.
(Might make a nice textured topsheet if you like that kind of thing)
I use the same stuff but only in strategic places if I don't think I'll get full vacuum someplace.
EG I'll put a 1/2" wide strip between the skis on the mold. I thought I'd use it more but have hardly put a dent in the few meters I bought.

sam

twizzstyle · Post by **twizzstyle** » Sun Dec 02, 2012 9:10 pm

Get on Ebay and look for a Gast pump. $100-$200 will get you a Gast in great condition, and they're tough pumps made to run forever. $400 is crazy for a pump, as nice as I'm sure it is.

Any vacuum pump will get you near a full vacuum, as long as your setup is leak free, which gives you atmospheric pressure (~14psi at sea level). You can't get more pressure than that.

You don't need a bigger pump for a bigger area, it will just take longer to suck it all down. My small Gast pump that I've had for years I've used on things as small as 2 inches, and as big as 10ft. I've also let my pump run for a week continuously, oops. (I've never vacuum bagged skis, but I've done lots of other non-ski stuff).

The key with vacuum bagging anything is having no leaks.

ProbsMagobs · Post by **ProbsMagobs** » Mon Dec 03, 2012 10:00 am

Thanks guys! I agree it is expensive but I would like something to last until I eventually get a real press. Plus this ones oil-less. I'm sure I can turn my press off some of the time if I have a good seal like you said

twizzstyle · Post by **twizzstyle** » Mon Dec 03, 2012 1:58 pm

Even if your seal is perfect, leave your pump running the entire time. It's not worth the risk, and it won't harm the pump. Again, these pumps are designed to run at 100% duty cycle.

ProbsMagobs · Post by **ProbsMagobs** » Mon Dec 03, 2012 5:24 pm

I doubt it will break too. It also has a 1 year warranty so I'm not worried. I'll be sure to let everyone how it goes when I press my first board

twizzstyle · Post by **twizzstyle** » Mon Dec 03, 2012 5:33 pm

(I still say it's 4X what you need to be spending

)

ProbsMagobs · Post by **ProbsMagobs** » Mon Dec 03, 2012 6:38 pm

I'd still like to get it because it comes with the cord, valves, etc... And I'm lazy

I would get a different pump if this one used oil. From the looks of it oil is expensive and not too much fun to deal with

twizzstyle · Post by **twizzstyle** » Mon Dec 03, 2012 9:39 pm

I hate to belabor the point, but seriously.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Gast-Vacuum-Pum ... 4d078c07f2

$80 gast, looks to be in great shape. One of many to be found on the interwebs. (the one you're looking at, as it turns out, is a gast as well, just comes with some extra fittings and an adjuster if you want to reduce the vacuum, which you will never do)

Do what you want, but a good oil less vacuum pump that will last a hobbyist a lifetime does not need to be an expensive tool. There are much better ways to throw your money away with this hobby!

OAC · Post by **OAC** » Tue Dec 04, 2012 9:59 am

Too small, doesn't look cool in your workshop...

ProbsMagobs · Post by **ProbsMagobs** » Tue Dec 04, 2012 12:57 pm

Hmmm what about this one? http://www.ebay.com/itm/3-4cfm-GAST-VAC ... 415ecb9f5e
I just don't know what kind of power cord, fittings, hose, etc that I need to make it ready to press

OAC · Post by **OAC** » Tue Dec 04, 2012 1:26 pm

You will be fine with any! I was just joking!

Vacuum pumps aren't very macho so to speak...
If you find cheap ones, get two. It's good to have one as spare. Or you can run them in serial. If one stops, the other will still working.

sammer · Post by **sammer** » Tue Dec 04, 2012 8:48 pm

Or this one would work and its cheaper

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Thomas-Compress ... 3f06db73ef\

All you really need is a hose and some way to attach it to you vacuum membrane.
I use one of those coiled hard plastic air lines. (Like you'd use with air tools.)
you can seal it to the bag with a bit of mastic tape or get the fittings for Joe,
or local auto parts store.
Mag wheel screw in valve stem, a couple big washers and some foam tape.
Clip on inflater fitting.

It's not rocket science.

sam

ProbsMagobs · Post by **ProbsMagobs** » Wed Dec 05, 2012 3:43 pm

i like that one! oilless, power cord, and mounts already on it and cheaper than the thomas one on veneersupplies.com Thanks a lot for the help guys! you all just saved me $300

twizzstyle · Post by **twizzstyle** » Wed Dec 05, 2012 7:11 pm

The one I posted is cheaper still, and has a normal power plug.

I'm actually tempted to buy it! ha

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vacuum pump help before i buy

vacuum pump help before i buy