NSW
298 posts
I have a fridge compressor, can anyone advise me on where I can get the following bits and pieces to make up my vacuum pump.
I intend to make a 3 reservoir pump, two for the bag and one with a check valve to isolate the pump from the bag and other kit. On this last reservoir I intend to have a solenoid valve to discharge when the pump stops so release the vacuum. I'd prefer not to use a vacuum advance from a car as the hassle of getting one from a wrecker, setting it up will do Saturday in.
So I am chasing the fillings and little bits like
1) Brass barb fitting for connecting the plastic tubes
2) a check valve to stop leakage back through the pump
3) a adjustable pressure controller,
4) a solenoid release valve
5) A bleeder valve to let the air back in afterwards
Also some advice, are vacuum fittings and pieces the same as pressure or are they different?
thanks
Andrew
WA
268 posts
Andrew,
Im sure there are stacks of suppliers dishing out this sort of stuff, not specifically for vacumm bagging. Chase up some pnuematic companies (norgren etc), they'll certianly have something that will do, but you might need to be a bit 'creative' to get the fitting for exactly what you want. There was a catolgue company in the UK called RS, not sure if there here, but they had ****loads of this sort of stuff.
Generally, pressure fittings are fine for vacumm - at most the vac pressure will be -1 barg, and pressure fittings are from about 6 barg up, so you'll be fine if you stick to this rating and up.
Good luck - I guess this is for home made boards, if you get onto Kiteforum look up 'eddy diffusivity' - he's now turning out some quality kit from his garage under the name 'trinity'.
NSW
1000 posts
Hey Andy
Not really an answer to your question but a simpler option I saw in a woodworking catalogue
http://www.carbatec.com.au/store/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=19153_19154
Uses one of those hand pumps and stopper valves you pump the air out of a wine bottle with..
As Oakie said, I would just use pneumatic hose and fittings, can't see em failing until you are pulling a serious amount of force on the bag. Good luck!
NSW
1625 posts
That all sounds a bit complicated
I done a bit of vacuum work in the past and one setup we had was an old pump from a milking machine, we bought it for a couple of hundred dollars from an old dairy farm.
If vacuuming to a table you could use a cheap pool hose to your plastic bag around your job.
Between your plastic bag and your laminate use a nylon type fabric which the resin doesn't stick to but will pass through, then use some white fluffy stuff you would make a dooner out of, this helps the air track through the bag and get an even vacuum over the hole job and will soak up any excess resin, there are proper materials for this but these can be got from a fabric shop reasonably cheap and do a good job.
Leave the pump on till your resin goes off, if you get carried away you can build a cardboard box around your job and put a little heater in there to raise the temp to get it all happening quicker.
I am sure you could use your fridge compressor and leave it going, that way you don't need all these valves and stuff.
Don't forget it is easy to do a dry run and make sure it all works before you mix any resin
ric
QLD
363 posts
Hey eightfoot,
As Oakie said RS would have most of the parts, check there website, www.rsaustralia.com.au and they have stores in most states, it will be $$$$ though. Solenoids for vac and pressure are different, and for check-valves, all depending on what type you're looking at. Other places to check are festo, smc. They do pnuematic stuff and will show the differences for vacuum on there websites.
The adjustable pressure guage has to be for vac, there are many types, some digtal with bells and whistles, or the simple manual adjustable spring type, probaly all you need, however hard to set exact vacuum pressure.
Hose fittings- try Bunnings, if no luck, there is a company called The Purple Pig....sounds strange, but there do all hose and fittings for vacuum and more.Remember to get vac hose, as nornam hose collapes when under vac(wire cage hose)
Just use a ball valve on a t-piece as a bleeder back to atmosphere.
Good luck if your making boards, better luck if your vac packing your boogie board for your next trip to Bali
WA
247 posts
Gday andrew.
I use a fridge compressor system with 6mm nylon airline(use nut and olive fittings not push ons).I have made a vacuum switch from a vacuum advance off a car distributor.I made alot of boards with this system and it works fine.cheap and effective.A good idea is to have some sort of vacuum tank,the bigger the better.mine is about 30liter and its nade from thick wall pvc pipe.If you want a picture of the switch let me know and i will post it in the photo section.If you get a good seal on your bag with this system the compressor will only come on for around 30 seconds every 5-10 minutes.I`m sure there are more proffesional methods,but if you only plan on making boards in your shed at home this works fine and is a cheap option.
Cheers.
Karl
ps if you want any footpads and straps give me a call
0401697207
