The hobbyist setup?

[meesterover]

I am almost done with a few plugs and about to start making some molds. Once that is complete, I want to try my hand at vacuum bagging and infusion. I have only done hand layup and really looking forward to trying to. I am making what you guys consider to be very small to small parts. Mainly just parts here and there for motorcycle.

Does anyone have any suggestions for setting up a complete vacuum system for the hobbyist while also keeping in mind that I am married, so keeping it under the $3-500 range will be perfectly fine. If I have to start spending much more than that, the questions are going to start rolling my way.

I am thinking about this, with a brand new 5 gallon propane tank inline for some “extra vacuum” (is that necessary really?).

I am unsure what infusion materials to buy. I have heard some of the Stretchalon is good, while others say to avoid it.

I am just a n00b that enjoys building stuff with composites.

Thanks,

Aaron

P.S. Apologies if this exact topic has been covered before and my search skills are sucking. If they are, just URL me to the thread since I do not seem to be able to find it.

[GEcho]

Craigslist for a vacuum pump is a good start…seen some great deals on there, though I ended up going with a Harbor Freight 3 CFM pump (bought the extended warranty) for about $130 (sale plus 20% coupon) that has worked pretty well so far. I did have to replace it once, but with the warranty it was pretty much walk in, say “this doesn’t work anymore”, grab one off the shelf and head back out.

I have also tried stretchlon 800…worked good, but so has every other bagging material I’ve tried, so it was nothing special.

-GE

[meesterover]

Craigslist for a vacuum pump is a good start…seen some great deals on there, though I ended up going with a Harbor Freight 3 CFM pump (bought the extended warranty) for about $130 (sale plus 20% coupon) that has worked pretty well so far. I did have to replace it once, but with the warranty it was pretty much walk in, say “this doesn’t work anymore”, grab one off the shelf and head back out.

I have also tried stretchlon 800…worked good, but so has every other bagging material I’ve tried, so it was nothing special.

-GE

Did you set up any sort of resin trap? Curious if a simple and cheap catch can would work. Theory says yes.

[GEcho]

I use a short length of 2" PVC (12"), capped at both ends and tapped some holes for some line connections…cost a few bucks at Home Depot. Been using the same one for awhile (over a year)…had resin make it in the line but never to the catch pot/pipe.

[meesterover]

I use a short length of 2" PVC (12"), capped at both ends and tapped some holes for some line connections…cost a few bucks at Home Depot. Been using the same one for awhile (over a year)…had resin make it in the line but never to the catch pot/pipe.

What type of connections are you using?

[GEcho]

Something similar to this which was put into the PVC (tapped, tightened in then siliconed around for air-tightness):