Vacuum Pump Selection - Newbie Question

General Composites Discussions Equipment Talk
#1

Hi Guys,

I will try and keep it short and simple. Basically I am looking at trying to create a vacuum bag setup, but I have a couple of questions about pumps.

I am looking at buying this one off ebay.

The problem is that I am not sure if the intake valves will work with the unit. I am planning on buying the rest of the setup from another supplier.

The intake thread on the compressor is described as 1/4 SAE1/2 Acme on the listing, but the valves I am planning on using are listed as 1/4 BSP. I am assuming this is the thread type.

I am a bit reluctant to buy the full setup from easy composites, as my work place already has peal ply, and I can get the rest of the consumerables cheaper else where.

Can anyone out there help me out with newbie question?! I have had about a 4 day search of the internet but carn’t quite seem to come up with the answer.

Thanks for all your help in advance,

Mark.

#2

The fittings on the pump and the through the bag vacuum connector do not need to match. All you need is a barbed fitting that has one end that fits your pump and the barbed end is sized to accept whatever vacuum hose you are planning to use. You can then seal the connection with sealant tape. The same goes for the bag connector. I would still use a catch pot of some sort to protect your pump from ingesting resin.

#3

Ask if you can be supplied with a threaded hose connector which fits the pump. The threads on the pump are nearly impossible to find. (if all else fails, contact me)

When you can fit a hose, from there you can work with anything. I am not a big fan of the through bag connectors, and especially not the one shown. You will need to make a few full turns to tighten it, so when your hose is connected the hose will twist.
2 fun things though:
-these specific connectors are self cutting, so why advertising to make a hole?
-why on earth the valve? Just because it has the right threads? Better to use a quick connector (Airtech AQD500) so you can disconnect the hose.

But I usually just stick the hose through the side in a pleat…

#4

Thanks for all the replies. Its greatly appreciated and some good ideas that I had never thought of.

I ended up ordering the setup from the easycomposites guys. I know I have probably over paid, but well, unfortunately, we need the setup pretty quickly for a project we have got on the go at work.

I rang up and chatted the guy ebaying the pump I pointed out. Bascially he really doesn’t actually know what hes got, and could not provide any kind of fittings or pipes for the intake. He literally just sent me a couple of copies of the manual, but couldn’t really be any more helpful than that. I wasn’t willing to spent £150 on something that might not work.

I had a quick scan through ebay, but couldn’t just see a pump that looked good for the job that I could get quickly.

I will have ago of trying the pushing the tube through a pleat idea though. I think thats a good idea.

I am sure that I will be posting for setup help though. Thanks again guys greatly appreciated help,

Mark.