Vacuum pump filter

[Finn Posner]

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

 

[Darryn Achall]

Following. My little filter is not really adequate.

 

[Rushton Paul]

A lot of people use some sort of fuel line filter. Here's what I use in my vacuum system:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0041E72B6

 

[Fred Hargis]

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.

 

[John Redding]

I also use inline fuel filters from NAPA Auto Parts (I think it’s part number 3001) and costs about $7 each. They work and are cheap/easy to replace.

 

[Rick Jarosz]

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.

 

[Doug Agee]

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.

 

[Tom Gall]

@Finn Posner These might also work for you. Just need a 1/4"NPT nipple and a hose fitting of your choice.
McMaster-Carr
MSC Direct

 

[Bill Boehme]

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

A 40 micron air line filter is generally adequate.

 

[Sam Fleisher]

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

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.

 

[Russ Braun]

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.

Replace it? What a novel idea, lol!!

 

[Tom Albrecht]

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.

 

[John K Jordan]

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

I purchased this and many other vacuum-related parts from him. And he's a nice guy.

 

[Doug Rasmussen]

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???

 

[Dean Center]

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

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!

 

[Sam Fleisher]

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!

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.

 

[Tom Gall]

@Dean Center , @Sam Fleisher
I've always used 3/8" air hose on my vacuum system (since 1994) with quick-connect fittings at all attachment points.

 

[Bruce Whitaker]

This is my Gast oilless vane pump. The filters, inlet and outlet came with the unit from Gast. They install in the inlet and outlet ports that show on your pump. The ports should be marked with “in” and “out” cast near the port. The black pipe that you see on my pump was needed to change the position of the filters to fit a previous installation. These should be available from Gast or as used parts on EBay.

Edited to correct autocorrect.

 

[Tim Hunter]

I use a spin-on oil filter.

Tim

 

[Dean Center]

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.

It's not the cost of the tubing, it's that about half the time, you have to cut off an inch of tubing to get the old filter off, and eventually the tubing gets too short, you have to go find some new tubing, and redo additional connections to get it replaced. It's a hassle and time waste more than an expense. (I use polyethylene tubing) For cheap, I was referring to the simple auto fuel
r filters.

 

[John Grace]

I've used a 3/8" in line fuel filter for years without issue

 

[hughie]

I m using an inline Gast filter the filter element perished many years ago so its been an empty tank filter of about 1/2 a litre. The inlet from the work is below outlet to the pump, to date its never been as issue.

 

[JeffSmith]

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

I purchased this and many other vacuum-related parts from him. And he's a nice guy.

+1 on Joe the Woodworker - he's a great guy and has everything you need for vacuum chucks or bagging. Good products at reasonable prices and plenty of advice free for the asking.