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Vacuum system adapter, which one ?

A

Amaury Graulich

Joined
Jan 13, 2026
Messages
9
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Location
Haneffe, Belgium
Hello woodturners,

I am planning to install a vacuum system on my lathe. The main problem is choosing the right adapter for my lathe. After removing the handwheel, the M25 thread is quite short (photo) behind the nut. Is it long enough to screw on the Oneway adapter? Or should I choose the Holdfast adapter? Do you have any other suggestions?
Thanks,
Amaury

IMG_20260118_135001.jpg
 
I had the handwheel of my powermatic bored to fit tge bearing in use on my vacuum system. Works so well I filled the handwheel of my midi kathe with wood and bored it to fit the bearing. A closed cell foam washer seals it. Very fast to install and remove getting your lathe back to normal operation. I don't have a photo of my powermatic handwheel but here is the midi adaptor.
 

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Some spindles don't have adequate thread for a screw on adapter. The Powermatic 3520 that John Lucas shows is one of those. Oneway makes a special adapter for the Powermatics, since they are very popular in the US. I can't tell what brand of lathe you have, but you could ask Oneway if they have something that might work. Some vacuum systems do not require a threaded adapter at the outboard end, and so would work for you. Odd-not had one, but they may be out of business. Robust has solutions. Frugal probably has solutions. There are also lots of do-it-yourself solutions that you could read about if you do a Search on the forum here. Personally, I would not recommend the venturi vacuum method, as I think a vacuum pump is a much better solution, though some folks use them successfully.
 
Dean Center said:
Oneway makes a special adapter for the Powermatics, since they are very popular in the US.
Click to expand...

The vacuum adapter for my PM3520b is made from aluminum and has two O-rings which seal the smooth bore inside the spindle handwheel end - just put a tiny smear of silicone grease on the rings for smooth insertion. Unfortunately I don't know the brand since it came with the lathe. Would be easy to make one, especially with a metal lathe.

I've seen several designs for making vacuum adapters and all the pieces needed. One I remember is from Joe Woodworker:
https://www.joewoodworker.com/veneering/vacuumchucking.htm

Long time ago I bought a good vacuum pump from him. Although I didn't need to make an adapter, it was nice to be able to get all the pieces from one place to set up a vacuum chuck and vacuum press. Joe was also great to discuss things by phone.

JKJ
 
Thank you all for your comments.

I'm going to make the adapter myself. It doesn't seem too complicated.

Of course, I'm going to use a vacuum pump and not a Venturi system.

I'll post the result when I'm done.
 
Jim Reynolds said:
Another resource is Doc Green's article Rotary Adaptor for a Vacuum System
Click to expand...

Good, I forgot about that one! I got the original book in 2018, got an extra copy to loan out, and bought the updated version when it came out even though Doc told me not to bother since not much had changed! But some has - I see the updated book has a reduced price right now, almost 30% off.

And it would hard to find a nicer guy!

Also, for those who haven't seen it, check out Doc Green's web site, especially the Articles section.

Doc Green Woodturner

Doc Green's woodturning tips.
www.docgreenwoodturner.com

JKJ
 
John K Jordan said:
The vacuum adapter for my PM3520b is made from aluminum and has two O-rings which seal the smooth bore inside the spindle handwheel end - just put a tiny smear of silicone grease on the rings for smooth insertion. Unfortunately I don't know the brand since it came with the lathe. Would be easy to make one, especially with a metal lathe.
Click to expand...
John, that vacuum adapter was probably one made by JT Turning. We bought them from JT to sell with Robust lathes. When the gentleman that ran JT passed away, we started making a very similar design. They fit any lathe with a smooth 5/8" hole on the handwheel end of the spindle.
 
Brent@TurnRobust said:
John, that vacuum adapter was probably one made by JT Turning. We bought them from JT to sell with Robust lathes. When the gentleman that ran JT passed away, we started making a very similar design. They fit any lathe with a smooth 5/8" hole on the handwheel end of the spindle.
Click to expand...

Thanks, I remember the name JT Turning now.

I didn't know Robust carried these adapters or vacuum chucking items. I found the adapter here:

JKJ
 
Jim Reynolds said:
Another resource is Doc Green's article Rotary Adaptor for a Vacuum System

I own his book Fixtures and Chucks for Woodturning. He goes in to the construction of a vacuum system in great detail in this book. I highly recommend this book.
Click to expand...
I also went this route. Made his adapter four or five years ago and it’s worked without fail on my 3520C. I bought a package of O-rings (making the seal between the adapter and the hand wheel) when I made it, thinking I’d have to replace them every year or so. Still on the original ring.
 
Not sure what kind of pump you are using but I have a Frugal Vacuum Chuck. no adaptor needed. make your own chucks, each has it's own bearing and you just run the air hose through the hand wheel and spindle.
 
Dave Hulett said:
Not sure what kind of pump you are using but I have a Frugal Vacuum Chuck. no adaptor needed. make your own chucks, each has it's own bearing and you just run the air hose through the hand wheel and spindle.
Click to expand...
Dave's post caused me to go in search of the Frugal Vacuum Chuck. I ended up at the FrugalVacuumChuck.com home page. prominently displayed on this page is the message below:
1768843588347.png
So, as Dave mentioned, it looks like you're on your own to build the chuck(s) you want using the bearing in the chuck and plastic tube through the headstock spindle bore solution.
 
I’ve been using the JT Turning Tools adapter that came with Robust AB for 14 years now. It functions beautifully, simply inserts into the outboard end of the spindle when needed. So glad Brent decided to make these after Tom passed. Best adapter out there.
 
john lucas said:
You need to seal the wood on those chucks. They can leak air. That's why I wentvw I th PVC for mine. You do have to true up the lip to get it to run perfectly true but I only had to remove maybe 1/32 or less.
Click to expand...
I would also recommend adding a rounded over lip to the PVC pipe/fitting. I like to use PVC foam board for this (closed cell) but any material can be used if you seal it well. The dome shape eliminates any sharp corners to possibly mark your piece or eventually cut through your foam seal.

P1020818.jpgP1020827.jpg
 
john lucas said:
You need to seal the wood on those chucks. They can leak air. That's why I wentvw I th PVC for mine. You do have to true up the lip to get it to run perfectly true but I only had to remove maybe 1/32 or less.
Click to expand...
in some cases... I have mix of PVC and wooden ones. 2 of my wood ones worked fine but one out of cherry, I had to coat the inside with thin CA.
 
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