Re: Vacuum pump for vacuum chuck?

> Thinking that for a variety of my projects I need a vacuum chuck. Any
>>>> SNIP >>>

is there another style of pump that would work better.

>
> Thanks,
> Tim
>>> SNIP

I have a variety of old machines of various types + some home built
machines that require various levels of vacuum and various flow rates..

After trying all sorts of set-ups, I ended up with a second hand high
vacuum pump from eBay, linked to a cheap bagless vaccum cleaner with a
built in speed control. The connections are using 22mm (3/4) copper
pipe and a 22mm compression fitting non-return valve from a plumbers
merchant. I also have a gauze filter in the line to the high vacuum pump.

What I found was that it was vital to set a little bypass on the
vacuum cleaner for motor cooling... ideally a switch would turn off
the vacuum cleaner when the bypass valve closes... but I don't
suppose I will ever get round to that

This setup gives me the best of both worlds..

When using it for vaccuum forming, there is high volume extraction
until the airflow through the non-return valve stops followed by a
high vacuum as the high vacuum pump does its stuff... perfect... and
all automatic !

When using it for clamping, I don't even bother turning on the
cleaner, the non-return valve isolates the cleaner allowing the vaccum
pump to do it's stuff.

When using it to suck up chips or dust, I only turn on the cleaner..
The built-in vapor trap on the high vaccum stops any dust getting in
the works..

Instead of having several pumps to maintain, I now have one setup that
does all..... better. !