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Vacuum pump filter

F

Finn Posner

Joined
Nov 1, 2008
Messages
57
Likes
6
Location
Turnwater, Washington
I'm helping a fellow woodturner set up a new vacuum system. I have sourced most of the valves and piping and gauge but I'm at a loss for what to use as an air filter on the pump. It's a nice Gast pump
 

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The fuel line filters are a common suggestion, and seem to work well. My system was assembled for vacuum baggin and when I put it together I got something from Veneer Supplies (they sell all the parts needed for vacuum bagging) to use on my pump.
 
I mounted a Dust Deputy to a 55 gallon drum lid, ran Flex Tubing from that to my vacuum pump, which I set on top of a filter cabinet that I made to support the pump and the nylon bag that came with it. I use a 1hp portable dust collector that I purchased from Harbor Freight. I will adapt a 2 HP to it eventually. I have .3 micron HEPA filters in the cabinet that I made. So far, I haven't had to change the HEPA filters yet. The bag rarely needs emptying. I remove the debris from the drum by using a lobby pan and a small long handled broom.
 
I have one like that. I got the Gast B300A Filter Muffler, 1/4″ NPT threaded fitting. And then two dust filters at intake and bleed valve with fuel filter like a Fram G2 with the 3/8" fittings for tubing.
 
Finn Posner said:
I'm helping a fellow woodturner set up a new vacuum system. I have sourced most of the valves and piping and gauge but I'm at a loss for what to use as an air filter on the pump. It's a nice Gast pump
Click to expand...

A 40 micron air line filter is generally adequate.

airfilter.jpg
 
Finn Posner said:
I'm helping a fellow woodturner set up a new vacuum system. I have sourced most of the valves and piping and gauge but I'm at a loss for what to use as an air filter on the pump. It's a nice Gast pump
Click to expand...
Like others, I use a fuel filter from Napa. Cheap and clear so you can see when to replace it. So far I haven't needed to.
 
Seeing this thread got me checking my Gast as its been many years since I installed it. I did install an an in-line filter (that needs cleaning) and then I discovered that the pump has two built in filters under the large black plastic screws on the end.
 
Joe Woodworker, Veneer Supplies and vacuum pump expert,
(https://www.veneersupplies.com/)

recommends this one:

High-Flow Vacuum Pump Filter with 1/4" NPT: $16.90

This vacuum filter is perfect for the vacuum press systems we offer and can handle up to 10 CFM of vacuum flow. Each filter comes with a micro-mesh particle filter made of stainless steel.
www.veneersupplies.com www.veneersupplies.com

I purchased this and many other vacuum-related parts from him. And he's a nice guy.
 
My experience with vacuum pumps was in metal machining using liquid cutting fluids with a Gast oil less pump. The issue there is to use a water filter. Any water turns the pump into a fog generator which at first seemed kinda cool. For some reason any liquid caused the pump head to get extremely hot, way too hot to even touch it.

First time it happened the pump seized up. Thinking it was ruined the pump was replaced. Before trashing the seized pump one more try and it seemed to work as good as new???
 
John K Jordan said:
Joe Woodworker, Veneer Supplies and vacuum pump expert,
(https://www.veneersupplies.com/) recommends this one:

High-Flow Vacuum Pump Filter with 1/4" NPT: $16.90

This vacuum filter is perfect for the vacuum press systems we offer and can handle up to 10 CFM of vacuum flow. Each filter comes with a micro-mesh particle filter made of stainless steel.
www.veneersupplies.com www.veneersupplies.com
Click to expand...
With good results, I've used cheap auto air filters, but they're a minor hassle to replace, as you have to get the filter unit unplugged from the tubing, maybe losing an inch of tubing each time. The unit suggested by John is a wee bit more expensive, but allows you to unscrew just the housing to clean or change the filter without taking the unit out of the tubing. I like it. If the filter is steel mesh, as implied, rather than paper, it could be cleaned a few times without replacing, which would make it cheaper than auto filters!
 
Dean Center said:
With good results, I've used cheap auto air filters, but they're a minor hassle to replace, as you have to get the filter unit unplugged from the tubing, maybe losing an inch of tubing each time. The unit suggested by John is a wee bit more expensive, but allows you to unscrew just the housing to clean or change the filter without taking the unit out of the tubing. I like it. If the filter is steel mesh, as implied, rather than paper, it could be cleaned a few times without replacing, which would make it cheaper than auto filters!
Click to expand...
Didn't realize cost was an issue with the tubing. Think it was around 35 cents a foot at ace hardware when I put my system together 3-4 years ago.
 
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