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Vacuum Chuck Rotary Adapter

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Mar 17, 2006
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I'm in the process of accumulating the items for a vacuum chuck. Has anyone put together a rotary adapter for a Jet 1624 lathe? I'd appreciate any info with respect to parts and assembly. Thanks.

Ed
 
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I just had one fabbed up for my General 160. I had a machinist bore out a 7/8 nut and turn a left hand thread 1x 8 tpi in it.Then welded a 1 1/4 nut to it and bored that to take a ballbearing with a very snug fit ( real techy, eh?),then turned pipe nipple to, again a very snug fit, fit into the bearing. Vacuum line will fit onto the nipple . I haven't tried this yet but it should work.

Hope this helps.
 
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Ed,

I have a 1642 with a vacuum attachment.

I based it on the Gast pump and Oneway Vacuum Cylinders with the appropriate spindle adapter for my spindle size. Because Oneway's Vacuum adapter is specific to Oneway Lathes I left that out and used the EZ Vacuum adapter that Craft Supplies carries. Part 314-1050 around $80 if I remember right.

The remaining parts I assembled from Home Depot including a vacuum gauge, a valve so I could control the amount of vacuum, air filters to keep dust getting into the pump, vacuume hose and various fittings, and some hard piping so I could mount everything in a convenient place on the lathe.

I have my pump at the rear of the lathe (left side as you face the lathe) mounted on a shelf on the wall. I put a power switch on the rear of the lathe so it is easy to turn off, but not in my way otherwise. I mounted hard pipe at the rear of the lathe so the guage and filters and valve are accessible but don't interfere with the movement of the headstock.

If you want I will send you a private message with a parts list and photos. I assume though that others will pipe in more quickly with their parts lists and photos. I have a number of hours before I will get home still. They can also suggest places to mail order the Gast pump that is cheaper than the normal places like Craft Supply.

Using a Vacuum Chuck is great. I get alot of use out of mine, and have not even managed to implode more than one thin wall bowl yet!! (if you think the turning mistake of making the inside diameter greater than the outside diameter is dramatic, you should see the effects of high vacuum on a thin form! The top and bottom trade places in spectacular ways! Very exciting!

Dave
 

Steve Worcester

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David Somers said:
....Because Oneway's Vacuum adapter is specific to Oneway Lathes I left that out and used the EZ Vacuum adapter that Craft Supplies carries....
Oneways rotary adapter uses the same taperlock adapters that they use for their chucks. As long as the headstock is a through hole and threaded, they probably have an adapter to fit it.

But the EZ will work also. In fact I used one of those first, but I did find that it can clog a bit easier which leads to loss of vacuum.
 
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Choose the Oneway Vacuum Adapter!

Ed:

I've had a vacuum chucking system on my 1642 for about 2 years, and I love it! It makes doing all sorts of finishing operations wonderfully fast and efficient. I just demonstrated its use to our turners group on Dec. 3rd. Mine uses the same Gast direct drive pump sold by Packard and Craft Supplies (I got mine 'new' via eBay for about $170 - It was completely unused and still in the factory crate - a shameless GLOAT! But check there for possible bargains), a home-brewed valve/filter/gauge, air-leak system, and the Oneway vacuum adapter. You may also uncover the "vacuum pump bargain of a lifetime" if you search for the Surplus Sales (Nebraska) vacuum pump written about so widely - these pumps work great, but are wired for 220V - if you have another outlet at this voltage (or want to install one) this is an economical way to get a reliable vacuum source. BTW - you DO want to put a filter inline between the lathe and the pump somewhere to protect the pump from dust and debris. I bought an in-line air filter on eBay for about $ 12 (including hose fittings). Filters are not often sold as part of vacuum system kits (and I really think they should be), since protecting the most costly part in the system should be a priority.

I thought I'd correct a misconception included in Dave Somers' reply to your question:
David Somers said:
I have a 1642 with a vacuum attachment.

I based it on the Gast pump and Oneway Vacuum Cylinders with the appropriate spindle adapter for my spindle size. Because Oneway's Vacuum adapter is specific to Oneway Lathes I left that out and used the EZ Vacuum adapter that Craft Supplies carries. Part 314-1050 around $80 if I remember right.

To correct this misconception, Oneway's vacuum adapter is NOT SPECIFIC to Oneway's lathes, and uses the same threading adapter that is used on their scroll chucks and vacuum drums - these are available in all standard spindle sizes and threadings - even custom from Oneway, if you have an oddball lathe spindle. Since the Jet 1642 does not have outboard threading on the spindle shaft left extention (which fits the hand "wheel"), a special, non-threaded adapter is necessary to fit the Oneway vacuum adapter to the unthreaded, bored-out spindle shaft on the Jet 1642. At the time I got mine, these were not available directly from normal suppliers of lathe accessories, so I got mine directly from Oneway for nearly the same amount as a "normal" threaded adapter. Now you can buy the necessary adapter for the Jet 1642 lathe right off the shelf at Packards; this item is now in their catalog and also available online.

I chose the Oneway adapter because I really liked the fact that the hose connection comes off at 90 degrees to the lathe spindle axis and makes for easy hose positioning when you slide the headstock right to make a shortbed lathe for bowls. The engineering of this adapter (in my opinion) is better than anything on the market, including the EZ-adapter (continuous threaded hollow-rod type) which relies on the seals of an air hose quick disconnect to maintain vacuum; I didn't like this feature or design, and chose the Oneway which has proven reliable over 2 years, and an accessory that I think is "built tough" (....with apologies to Ford).

Another benefit of the Oneway adapter (not available on the EZ-adapter) is that the body of the vacuum adapter replaces the same function of the hand "wheel" (i.e. you can still turn the spindle easily with the vacuum adapter in place) which you cannot do with the EZ adapter. This is a BIG plus in my book.... My vacuum adapter never comes off the lathe. When using any MT2 taper accessories in the headstock, I have a machined MT2 adapter for use with scroll chucks that has a taper in it; the tapered accessories are held in place with a chuck and the adapter instead of using the MT2 hole in the lathe spindle....this adapter is quick and easy to use (...essentially the same principle as the chuck-mounted Steb-centers...). Therefore, I never need to use a knock-out bar, and the vacuum adapter stays in place all the time, ready for use whenever I need it without having to set it up!

There are a number of other vacuum-chucking possibilities, but after you assemble the basic system, you can build some custom vacuum plates and drums to assist your turning. Once you get started with this technique, you'll wonder why you didn't do this sooner - it beat's the heck out of reversing bowls in cole jaws, etc. although these are necesasry for pieces which are not solid, and can not hold a vacuum due to sidewall voids, natural edges, etc..

One word of caution when using vacuum systems.... - it is not a good idea to put on liquid finishes while the piece is under vacuum. One of my friends learned the hard way when applying oil to a piece, and was wondering why the piece was taking so much finish.... Needless to say, the vacuum pulled the oil right through the walls of the bowl and into the vacuum chuck/system - quite messy to say the least!! My advice is to finish pieces with liquid finishes off the lathe, or at least until you are confident that the porosity of the wood thas been reduced by multiple applications of finish, and this be done not under vacuum.

Good luck getting your system together, and don't write-off the Oneway vacuum adapter - it is a VERY good choice!

Rob Wallace
 
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Oneway Adapter

Rob!

Thanks for the update on the oneway vacuum adapter. When I set mine up a while back I was not aware of it being available for the 1642. You are very right. I would have preferred it to the EZ unit. The EZ works OK, but the Oneway clearly has advantages!

Thanks again!!

Dave
 
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Thanks Dave!

Sorry for the delayed reply! I recently gave my final exam, and have been working on grading them.... ....uuugggggghhh!! (.....these work things keep getting in the way of the important stuff!).

The Oneway vacuum adapter is a high quality and essential part of my vacuum system! (You still can upgrade if ever your EZ gets clogged or has problems.)

The manager of the gallery where I sell my pieces was astounded that people actually used vacuum to hold pieces on the lathe! He had to see it work just to be sure I wasn't pulling his leg! Interestingly, he spent the longest time looking at the vacuum adapter as the bowl spun around! He even felt for leaks!

Happy Holidays to you out in the land of Koa!!

Rob Wallace
 
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I'm still in the process of setting up my vacuum chuck and I have the Oneway adapter, works wonderfully and with no fiddling around trying to get someone to machine parts for you. Anyway here is the link to the surplus Gast vacuum pumps
http://www.surpluscenter.com/item.asp?ID=2005062006115650&item=4-1540&catname=
there is also a filter listed on that page, a filter will save you from having to rebuild your vacuum pump after you suck some dust and shavings into it.
Brad
 
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Looking into it myself

I was recently given a refridgerator compressor, which my father uses one of for a homemade vacuum chuck setup. I just read all these posts and not one mention of the Holdfast setup. It looks straightforward and not overly expensive. Their adaptor and chuck look reasonably well made and will fit up to my JET 1236 quite nicely. The fridge compressor pulls ~29" of mercury, which is apparently plenty to do the job. I turned a solid cherry plate from 1" thick stock from start to finish with just the vacuum holding the piece in place at my Dad's. A good catch would de-center it, but that's about all. I would use it mainly for finish sanding, bowl bottoms and who knows what? Any other opinions of the Holdfast?
 
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I made my own

Ed,

I made up my own rotary adapter for my Jet 1642 and it works very well. I glued up some pieces of scrap Corian and turned it to fit my hand wheel. Added some O-rings, a double sealed bearing and a hose barb. Nothing to it. I have some photos on my computer at home and will try to post them later. I'm sure the commercial adapters work well also but I think it's more fun and satisfying to do it your self. I essentially copied a design shown on another forum. I also made my own vac chucks out of MDF and PVC pipe and a little foam padding. MDF is coated with poly urethane. I can pull upwards of 21" of vac with a 1.5 CFM Gast pump.

Take care, Don

I added the photos of the adapter I made. Let me know if you have any questions.
 

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Do a Tutorial!

I know, I know, I'm a trouble maker (cause you don't get enough turning time as it is), but I got to see your setup last week and I have to say, it is OUTSTANDING!
Ed,

I made up my own rotary adapter for my Jet 1642 and it works very well. I glued up some pieces of scrap Corian and turned it to fit my hand wheel. Added some O-rings, a double sealed bearing and a hose barb. Nothing to it. I have some photos on my computer at home and will try to post them later. I'm sure the commercial adapters work well also but I think it's more fun and satisfying to do it your self. I essentially copied a design shown on another forum. I also made my own vac chucks out of MDF and PVC pipe and a little foam padding. MDF is coated with poly urethane. I can pull upwards of 21" of vac with a 1.5 CFM Gast pump.

Take care, Don
 
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Vaccum

I made my own for my 1642, actually the first version was for the 1236, and have had good luck with it. I did find that using 2 bearings for the seal added a lot to the final vaccum it would pull. I have even made my own chucks for the system with no problems. I found it very easy to make rather than buy. I have pictures of the whole setup on my web site.
http://www.scrollsaws.com/WoodLathe/woodlatheVacuum.htm
 
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That looks pretty nice how you made your own. I would probably try it if I hadn't already bought a Holdfast adapter.
Wyatt
 
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Vacuum Chuck Rotary

I am looking to go to the OneWay vacuum system. I have a problem though. My lathe is the Laguna 18/47 and I can't figure out the "outboard" vacuum connection. Any ideas?

Thanks,
Paul
 

Steve Worcester

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I am looking to go to the OneWay vacuum system. I have a problem though. My lathe is the Laguna 18/47 and I can't figure out the "outboard" vacuum connection. Any ideas?

Thanks,
Paul

I can't tell from the pictures if it has a through hole or not let alone threaded on the outboard side.
Enlighten me.
 
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I'm in the process of accumulating the items for a vacuum chuck. Has anyone put together a rotary adapter for a Jet 1624 lathe? I'd appreciate any info with respect to parts and assembly. Thanks.

Ed

Sorry for the late posting. I made a very simple mod to the Jet 1642 for a vacuum attachment by modifying the hand wheel cylinder to accept a sealed bearing. It works better than I had hoped. I have some pics in a web album here:
http://picasaweb.google.com/dmshopshots

Best regards
 
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Vacuum system adapters

For those of you have built your own lathe adapters and used double sealed bearings, have you had any problems with leakage in those bearings? If so what did you to combat this problem.

I used a double sealed bearing and JB weld to, adhere the brass fitting to the center of the bearing, and also to the carrier assembly of choice which turned out to be PVC. I can get 28 inches of vacuum at the brass fitting just in front of the adapter, but it drops to 18 inches at the output of the adapter, so I'm thinking the loss is in the bearing.

Any ideas?
 

hockenbery

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Finn,

Not sure what you can see.

If you can hook it to positive pressure from and air compressor at say 15-20 lbs.
Plug the other end , probably can get away with putting your hand over the end.
Cover the surface with a soap film.
Where you see bubbles is where it is leaking.

If appropriate hot melt glue and duct tape seal leaks well.

Al
 
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Bill Boehme

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For those of you have built your own lathe adapters and used double sealed bearings, have you had any problems with leakage in those bearings? If so what did you to combat this problem.

I used a double sealed bearing and JB weld to, adhere the brass fitting to the center of the bearing, and also to the carrier assembly of choice which turned out to be PVC. I can get 28 inches of vacuum at the brass fitting just in front of the adapter, but it drops to 18 inches at the output of the adapter, so I'm thinking the loss is in the bearing.

Any ideas?

One deficiency that I see in many commercial and DIY designs is that they only use one bearing. The problem is that any angular loading will cause the rubber seals to open up a bit as the inner race deflects and allow leakage. The common ball bearing assemblies are not really designed for that type of loading. Use at least two bearing assemblies spaced an inch or more apart to deal with the problem. Additionally, it would be wise to use shaft seals. I do not recall seeing any designs that employ shaft seals and I don't understand why not. They are cheap and if you do not use them, it won't be long before much of the grease is sucked out of the bearing.

I have turned brass and PVC plumbing fittings to make rotary adapters. PVC is OK, but will fail well before the bearings do.
 
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