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Vacuum Pump?

Griesbach said:
I believe that this pump is suitable for making a vacuum chuck. Can anyone confirm this and does anyone use this pump?

http://www.surpluscenter.com/item.asp?UID=2006020208053406&item=4-1540&catname=air

Thanks.
Click to expand...

Know several people who use that pump for turning. It is 220 so you'll need the 220-to-110v transformer that they note on the page. You also need things like a intake filter, guage, bleeder valve, and plumbing. Look in the Tips Section for a couple of good how-to articles.

M
 
Mark Mandell said:
It is 220 so you'll need the 220-to-110v transformer that they note on the page.
Click to expand...

Mark,
Do you know if anyone is using it successfully with the 220/110 transformer.

An electrical engineer friend recommended against it
 
Gary said:
Mark,
Do you know if anyone is using it successfully with the 220/110 transformer.

An electrical engineer friend recommended against it
Click to expand...

Gary,

All I have is anecdotal info on it. If I remember correctly, one guy has it wired for 220 as a branch off his lathe's circuit, and several others use it on 110v. Haven't heard any bad comments either way. It might depend upon the quality of the transformer, but I'm not qualified to opine in that direction.

Maybe Bill will chime in here?

M
 
Thanks for the guidance. I'm going to be converting some 110 circuits to 220 so I should be good. Planning on getting a new mustard monster so I'll need 220 for that.
 
Cyril,

I just pulled a feed off my lathe 220 circuit and installed a fused switch to wire my 220 volt pump. It was simple, quick and works great.

Wilford
 
I bought one and am very satisfied. I am using 220v ac. It is basically the same pump that Oneway sells. I bought the complete Oneway vacum chuck system minus the pump. I would also suggest buying the filter as well. You won't believe the stuff that thing catches,
JIm
 
Griesbach said:
Thanks for the guidance. I'm going to be converting some 110 circuits to 220 so I should be good. Planning on getting a new mustard monster so I'll need 220 for that.
Click to expand...

Cyril,

Don't forget that you will need a DPDT switch of the proper motor rating for the 220 line.

M
 
Woodturning Design Article

The Fall 2005 issue has an excellent detailed description on how to build a vacuum chucking system using the GAST 0523-P335-G509DAX 230 VAC VACUUM PUMP you referred to. It includes drawings and a detailed parts list with part numbers and sources of supply. Two turners in my club have used the article to successfully build a system, and I am about to start.
 
Converting pump from 220v to 110v

I found the following thread on vacuum chucking at:
http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?t=23246

Included was this comment re conversion to 110v. May be worth checking out:

"Jack I don't know what pump that you have but most of the 1/4hp pumps run on 110V and I doubt that you will need 220V.The wiring diagram is usually on the motor nameplate, or on the reverse side of the wiring box cover. The terminals inside are usually marked L1 & L2 this is where the 110V wires go. A 16 guage 3 wire cord is probably all that you will need, depending on the hp of the pump."
 
Mark Mandell said:
Cyril,

Don't forget that you will need a DPDT switch of the proper motor rating for the 220 line.

M
Click to expand...


Mark,

Can you explain this to me in "simple" :confused: terms please? My electrical knowledge ends after turning on a switch :( .
 
Surplus Center pump

I have had one for years. The pump is attached to a motor like the one Craft Supplies sells but it is not the same pump. The pump sipns 4 carbon vanes off center to create a vaccum on one side and blows it out the other side. Before I put a filter on I had to take the pump apart to clean the junk out. No big deal but you want to do this before the junk scratches the outer surface the vanes contact or you will loose some vaccume until the vanes reseat. Use brake cleaner to clean and then lube the shaft. This said its better to put a filter on first if you intend to sand with vaccum at all. Mine pulls about 25 in. of merc. which is pleanty for what we do.

Ron
 
Griesbach said:
Thanks, -e-.

I'll show it to my electrical contractor (read neighbor) :). But.....why did Mark suggest it :confused: ?
Click to expand...

While I'm not Mark, I'd guess that he suggested a double pole switch because both wires in a 220 circuit are hot (110 V) with respect to ground so you need to disconnect both wires to completely remove power from the device. On the other hand, in a 120 circuit only one of the wires is hot and the other is a return (almost ground), so you only need to switch the single hot wire.
 
Griesbach said:
Mark,

Can you explain this to me in "simple" :confused: terms please? My electrical knowledge ends after turning on a switch :( .
Click to expand...

Cyril,

Sorry I missed your question. e and Brian gave the answer!

M
 
Vacuum pump

I have had one of these Surplus Center pumps since shortly after the KC Symp. It works great but has to be wired 220 volts, is not adaptable to rewire to 110 v. These are new pumps.

Get their filter also.

Jim Sample
 
I have a general recommendation for anyone who is uncertain about electrical wiring. If you are uncertain, don't do it. Get some help from an electrician even if you have pay real money. It's a lot cheaper than a hospital trip or a trip to the morgue.

I did my own install and hookup of the DPDT inline switch on the wall for the 220v power leading to the lathe, because I was certain of the wiring. I paid an electrician to run the wires from my circuit panel to the garage.
 
Vacuum pump

I forgot, I am using a 220v toggle switch that was found at Ace Hardware, drilled a hole in a blank metal box cover to fit switch.

Jim Sample
 
Switch

Mark Mandell and others,

The switch that you need if you run the pump on 240 VAC is a DPST (not DPDT, although you could use a DPDT switch). Someone asked what DPDT means -- it is Double-Pole Double-Throw. DPST is Double-Pole Single-Throw.

I have been using a 1/4 HP GAST dry rotary vane vacuum pump and the model that I have is slightly different -- it can be wired for either 120 or 240 VAC by just changing jumpers inside the terminal plate. I don't understand the need to get one that runs on 240 VAC, after all, it is just a 1/4 HP motor. Concerning using a transformer: as an electrical engineer, I will second what the other EE said. Unless you get a transformer specifically for an inductive load, it will not work well. The typical isolation / step-down transformer is intended for resistive loads (lighting) and not highly reactive loads. And, the one that the Surplus Center has is inadequate anyway. If you total up the cost of pump plus transformer, that is too much money. Here is a helpful hint: Go to eBay and pay much less for something that better suits your needs. I bought one that is essentially identical to the one that Craft Supply sells for $360 and it cost me $25 plus about another $25 for shipping.

Bill
 
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Seeing Double

Thanks for the correction, Bill. I did mean single throw.

BTW since I thought most any motor like these would run with 110 to the windings, why would Gast use one which (supposedly) can't be rewired for 110? Perhaps that's why SC has so many of the pumps to sell. :D

Mark
 
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Most of these type pumps are made to operate equipment in industrial electronic control cabinets. These boxes are all wired for 220 so Gast makes the pump motors to match. The one I bought used off ebay for $75 with shipping (Bill did better!! :( ) was taken out of a control cabinet and had filters and hoses still attached with a special plug on the wiring. These were probably ordered by some electonic control company that then cancelled the order on Gast.

Wilford
 
This is great - I just ordered one after holding off for 2 years because of the $349 price tag elsewhere! Thanks!
 
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