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Hi all

The title says it all. I'm interested in getting a vacuum setup and would love to get a survey about what you use.

I'm leaning towards the V2 from Joe Woodworker, which turns a compressor into a vacuum. I'm drawn to the portability (they're reportedly very light) and lower-cost of entry. Initially I though my compressor would be cycling non-stop (loud!) but it sounds like this isn't the case.

I haven't ruled out getting a used Gast vacuum pump from eBay. The shared workspace I belong to has one. They use it as a continuously running thing rather than a more sophisticated setup that turns on and off as needed.

Hey James

I have used large vacuum set ups in the past. Big pumps that push enough air to close up a 5x10 bag in a few seconds. These are great units but for guitar building I think all that is needed is a small light weight system.

Personally I use a fridge compressor that I pulled off a larger high end fridge that had bit the dust. I had the Freon drained properly (make sure you do this!!!) I love it as it pulls the right amount of air. Is fast enough for most situations, and to top it off is nearly silent. I mean almost zero noise when under load. As it pulls air it has a little hiss but once the vacuum is pulled it goes silent. Careful to not leave the thing running!

Its perfect for all luthierie tasks and it was FREE

Joel.

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http://Michaudmade.com

I use a 3 cfm rotary vane pump. works great.

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Jim Watts
http://jameswattsguitars.com

Hi James,

That's what I'm using. I run a 30 gallon compressor which rarely cycles unless the wood is particularly porous and only when I'm using my Lmii vacuum work holder. It never cycles when using my bridge clamp. I live near sea level and can easily pull 25inHg.

Michael

James, I have the V2 from Joe Woodworker, and it works great.

Bob

I have a Gast pump that I got off Ebay and have been happy with it. Not nearly as noisy as a compressor and still pretty portable if you use the plans on their site (probably more so than the Venturi since all you need is the outlet not the compressor.

A timely question James, as I'm in the process of re-establishing my shop and want to organize a vacuum source.
There was a video recently from Robbie O'Brien on shop setup ideas, where he briefly described his vacuum running off a compressor. I posted a question looking for details, but I don't think Robbie spotted it.
Also interested to know more about Michael's setup -- an interesting bit of engineering - details please!

Actually, your link to joe woodworker was probably the lead I was looking for. Obviously the set up Michael is using, and possibly Robbie as well.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

http://www.veneersupplies.com/products/ ... s-Kit.html

We have one in our shop its OK --- I prefer our regular vacuum pumps.

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Ken Cierp

http://www.kennethmichaelguitars.com/

Tim,

My setup is a V2 premium kit from Joe W. The base and brackets I designed and cut on my CNC. I'm happy to share the Vcarve files if anyone is interested.

M

I use an old
and tired Yellow Jacket refrigeration type vac pump.
It's noisy and puts out a lot of oil vapor that I have to pipe to the outside thru a hose but it does the job for me since my HVAC friend gave it to me when he retired it.

I have used a small 1/6 hp continuous duty Gast rotary vane, a vacuum generator via air compressor like the Joe Woodworker setup and now use a Viot VPD12 (http://viot.us/showproduct.php?model=VPD12&sw=0) Comparatively speaking the Gast and Joe Woodworker setup are toys compared to the Viot but I needed it to drive the Luthierool vacuum press I recently acquired. More costly but for me it was worth it since I do other woodworking that requires bag vacuum work as well.

Yup, another Joe Woodworker venturi system here. Works great, although I have a tiny air compressor. Cycles on about once a half hour for about 30 seconds when doing a carbon fiber top (2'x4' bag).

I have a small fridge compressor, after the gas leaked out of the fridge, but have bought most of the parts for a Joe Woodworker Veneer Supplies V2.. I saw a bigger system at a wooden surfboard making class.. Six big boards all glued under vacuum from 1 Venturi.

I have a couple of Gast pumps that I use but I'm doing mostly fixturing.

Just wanted to give a tip though - when it comes to the oil filled rotary vane pumps, stay away from the cheap ones. I don't know about the expensive ones but the cheap ones exhale a fog of oil that will fill your shop within seconds....guess how I know that

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http://www.birkonium.com CNC Products for Luthiers
http://banduramaker.blogspot.com

Andy,
Even the expensive models exhaust oil into the air. I have mine vented outside.
Tom

Thanks for all the responses, guys. Sounds like the V2 is pretty viable.

I'm glad I came back to this thread. I was going to post a link to this pump I saw in Harbor Freight for $99 to see what people thought. A garage full of oil fog doesn't exactly sound like a party

I thought I had a 20 gal compressor, but after looking at it, it's 17 gallons with 3.8 CFM at 90 PSI. According to this chart, that's only enough to run the V2 Basic.

http://www.thinairpress.com/skateboard- ... e-pressure

I am having trouble wading through this web site, but they offer a hand vacuum pump. Anyone ever try these?

I use those with a small hand pump for the odd time I don't finish a bottle of wine. They hold pressure forever.

Bob