Hello Guest it is March 28, 2024, 04:23:06 AM

Author Topic: trying to add a vacuum table  (Read 6309 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline josh

*
  •  101 101
    • View Profile
trying to add a vacuum table
« on: March 21, 2009, 03:35:07 PM »
ok so I am trying to add a vacuum table to my mill I seen one on ebay for 90 bucks 3x12
I have no idea how this works you got the vacuum table then you also have to have a pump, also where can I buy a small pump does anyone know off a source
if you can post some picture to see how they look I would appreciate.
thanks

Offline RICH

*
  • *
  •  7,427 7,427
    • View Profile
Re: trying to add a vacuum table
« Reply #1 on: March 21, 2009, 09:29:03 PM »
josh,
Go to the Things You Made Threads and take a look at  Budaman's vacuum table he made along with pic's of his pump. I am sure he'll chime in here and can give you some good advice.
I bought my vacuum pump at a flea market, a year ago,  but haven't made a table or used it yet .

here is the link:

http://www.machsupport.com/forum/index.php/topic,7116.msg46514.html#msg46514

RICH
« Last Edit: March 21, 2009, 09:34:32 PM by RICH »

Offline josh

*
  •  101 101
    • View Profile
Re: trying to add a vacuum table
« Reply #2 on: March 22, 2009, 12:14:08 AM »
hope someone can tell me if its a good deal.
just seen a vacuum pump for sale 120volt plug for 50bucks is it worth buying since looks like i am going to be needing a pump.

Offline budman68

*
  • *
  •  2,352 2,352
    • View Profile
Re: trying to add a vacuum table
« Reply #3 on: March 22, 2009, 09:31:28 AM »
Hi Josh,

I don't know a huge amount about this subject but I can try to help with what I do know.

The pumps come in different varieties such as oil-filled type, diaphram etc. I have dual diaphram type that pulls around 20-23 HG's which is the measurment for vacuum. You didn't mention what kind of vacuum table it is and you never mentioned what you're cutting and how much force you'd need. Personally, I'm not machining steel, just plastics and engraving anodized aluminum and such so I don't need a whole lot of holding power. For engraving, I have made nesting fixtures that hold the part to be engraved so it can not move laterally and the vacuum pulls it down (that you probably saw in Richs link that he posted). I also have a vacuum grid table that I've made and uses an 1/8 O ring material as a gasket and I have parallells that I calmp all around the part if I'm doing surfacing of materials.

Give us some more info and a background on what you're doing with this and maybe I can help a bit more.

Some links of interest for you that I have found helpful:

http://www.cnczone.com/forums/showthread.php?t=34537&highlight=An+Aussie+Adventure

http://www.nemi.com/vacuum%20grid%20table.htm

http://www.paragoncode.com/shop/vacuum_pump/#The%20Vacuum%20Chamber

http://www.surplussales.com/Motors/Motors-7.html

http://www.drewtronics.net/vacuumarticle.html

Dave
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Just because I'm a Global Moderator, don't assume that I know anything !

Dave->    ;)

Offline josh

*
  •  101 101
    • View Profile
Re: trying to add a vacuum table
« Reply #4 on: March 22, 2009, 11:59:12 AM »
thanks for that info pretty interesting.
I am bassically just cutting plastic, wax, foam , and a little of ingraving on some aluminum. nothing really heavy or deep cuts  I am using a vise , and sometimes I use that double sided tape, I just figure mave these vcuum thing would work better.

Offline budman68

*
  • *
  •  2,352 2,352
    • View Profile
Re: trying to add a vacuum table
« Reply #5 on: March 22, 2009, 04:16:00 PM »
Well, then I think it's time to do your homework and figure out how much you want to spend. I will say that most of the guys building their own systems use the Thomas Compressor Vacuum Pumps and build their own reservoir tanks(sp?) use PVC or an air tank.

Got any pics of your table that you bought?

Dave

----------------------------------------------------------------------
Just because I'm a Global Moderator, don't assume that I know anything !

Dave->    ;)

Offline josh

*
  •  101 101
    • View Profile
Re: trying to add a vacuum table
« Reply #6 on: March 22, 2009, 08:52:28 PM »
I have not even started with the build I just seen a vacuum pump for 50 bucks and I seen this table on ebay for 90bucks so I figure that is all I need.
I have a sherline mill my table is 3x13 so I figure that would be perfect to add to my mill.
I am not familliar with any vacuum table system I am a newbee to this I just figure I can use a  vacuum table instead of clamps, vises, and tape.
by the way I dont know how much this cost what is a average cost for somthing like what I want.
thanks for the replies

Offline budman68

*
  • *
  •  2,352 2,352
    • View Profile
Re: trying to add a vacuum table
« Reply #7 on: March 23, 2009, 05:02:09 AM »
Hi Josh,

As shown in one of the links, a used Thompson pump will run about $80 but maybe if you scour ebay you could find one cheaper -  8)

Dave
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Just because I'm a Global Moderator, don't assume that I know anything !

Dave->    ;)