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Vacuum pump-what do I need to know?

W

Wally Crawford

Joined
Apr 15, 2023
Messages
98
Likes
58
Location
Stanfeld, NC
There is a guy locally selling four different vacuum pumps on FB. I have thought of going this route rather than use my air compressor on my lathe. What do I need to know before I purchase. How many CFM do I need if that is the correct measuring parameter. What makes and models are desirable and rebuildable?
 
Gast pumps are generally made for continuous duty and are super easy to rebuild. I bought a used one on ebay for $225, $35 for a rebuild kit, and I've got a pump that'll outlast me. That's not saying much though. A package of Twinkies will probably outlast me too.
 
Interested in this answer! With so much science behind vacuum and pressure, I can only imagine what will happen when great minds come together!
 
If the wood is sealed and you have no leaks, you barely need any cfm at all. The way I turn, my vacuum pump hardly runs 20 minutes for each piece. My Harbor Freight pump has worked well for at least 10 years. Good enough for me!
 
I upgraded to a used Robust American Beauty this summer and it came with the vacuum adapter. About the same time, I ordered and installed a mini split for heat and A/C in my shop. I needed a vacuum pump to do the install, so I bought a cheap oil type with the required manifold and gauges.

Recently I bought some 1 1/4" x 8tpi nuts to make vacuum chucks with, but that's as far as I've gone with it.
 
One of my club members lived next door to a person who sold refrigerators etc. The person would take in old refrigerators and dehumidifiers and take out the refrigerant and then he gave the pumps to my club member. I have made over 20 vacuum systems from these pumps. I have been using the same pump for over 15 years. I have 3 Gast pumps (all are 220volt) but I knew they made a lot of noise when running where the pump I'm using makes virtually no noise and it draws 26/27 on the dial. The club had paid for the parts and the person who got one was to pay the club $39 (the club made about $15 on a build). All gone now and have not looked for a source of these pumps but I'm sure they are available somewhere.
 
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