Anybody have an electric motor driven vacuum pump?

[goodwrench]

rescued a gast model 040 oil lubed rotary vane vacuum pump. Not sure what i am going to do with it, but it is cool. It pulls down past 25 hg vacuum, so it is still in good shape. I first stuck a coke bottle on the end of my hose and it sucked it really flat really fast. Then i tried an old new gas gan that i robbed the vent off of, and it too was sucked real flat real fast. Found a piece in my collection to regulate the vacuum to keep it less than 15hg, cause the tech guy said not to run it over 15hg for long or else it will overheat. Now all i need to find is a dedicated vacuum gauge. But now the question, what can i use this for? I am envisioning the mother of all oil suckers, if i can find a container that won't **** flat. Then i thought, maybe i could make a really good vacuum brake bleeder? Or i can just amuse myself sucking things flat! So anybody else have one of these monsters?? Or know of any cool things i could use it for? I need some ideas..

Later!! chris

 

[48548]

could you use it for AC on a car to evacuate the system?

 

[Bustawrench]

could you use it for AC on a car to evacuate the system?

Only if it will pul down below 500 microns HG VAC.

 

[rjspitz]

I use mine during composite part construction. I wet-lay the carbon, kevlar, or glass cloth in the mold. Then apply peel-ply and vacuum assist cloth, wrap in plastic and apply the vacuum. It compresses the composite and pulls excess resin out of the part to make for a strong but lightweight part. Can be used to infuse also.

Another use is to de-gas resins for pour molds. If you've ever mixed resin you'll notice the air bubbles in the mix. Those air bubbles remain in the resin after it's solidified. By putting the resin in a vacuum chamber, the air is pulled out leaving the part water-clear after casting. Look up the videos online, it's neat to watch resin getting de-gassed.

Make a vacuum powered fluid extractor to change oil or bleed brakes???

 

[A_Pmech]

I have several Gast rotary vane pumps plus a recent purchase, a Yellow Jacket HVAC pump.

I use my vacuum pumps for vacuum molding, fixturing, HVAC work, developing inert atmospheres, etc.

A good pump is always handy to have.

 

[Identaltech]

all the lubed rotary vane vacuum pumps I have worked with are not used for liquids.
in oral surgeons offices, which use a lot of these, collect liquids in a jar before it makes it to the pump. usually the pump has a tank and works like an compressor but in reverse.
cycles on and off to mantain a 30 hg or so of vacuum.
collect the liquids before it get to the pump and it will **** lots of liquids.
if you used it for a brake bleeder you would probably **** all the brake fluid out before you know it.
as for as oil your container would have to hold all the oil you **** out.
these pump **** up blood all day long so it would work just have to control it.
no fluids thru the pump.

 

[fatfillup]

all the lubed rotary vane vacuum pumps I have worked with are not used for liquids.
in oral surgeons offices, which use a lot of these, collect liquids in a jar before it makes it to the pump. usually the pump has a tank and works like an compressor but in reverse.
cycles on and off to mantain a 30 hg or so of vacuum.
collect the liquids before it get to the pump and it will **** lots of liquids.
if you used it for a brake bleeder you would probably **** all the brake fluid out before you know it.
as for as oil your container would have to hold all the oil you **** out.
these pump **** up blood all day long so it would work just have to control it.
no fluids thru the pump.

He is correct, no fluids through the pump. You need a capture container before the pump, then use for sucking any fluid you choose.

 

[goodwrench]

I know a need a catch container, that was the part about the gas can. Any suggestions for a catch can? Anybody have any pictures of theirs rigged up to do what ever? I need some visual ideas!! I have no idea how normal usage set-ups look like, so i would love some tech pics to study. Like how do you control the amount of vacuum so as to not burn up the pump like the my tech guy said? Or what the plumbing looks like on different set-ups? So anybody have any pics? Or other info? Like a catch can?

Later!! chris

 

[rjspitz]

Garden sprayers make for good vacuum reservoirs.

Air-tight sugar/flour canisters too for small jobs, the kind with a silicone gasket and locking lid.

SCH40 PVC pipe with *******.

5-gallon paint bucket for low pressure. don't bother with 1-gallon metal tins, they collapse, been there, done that.

Old air compressor tank.

 

[rjspitz]

Another good use is for gluing up wood laminates or applying veneers. Putting the laminate setup (topped with a buck) in a vacuum bag provides for even distribution of force on the part.

 

[stock z/28]

I have a belt driven model. I have it plumbed into an old freon tank that acts as a storage container.

I use it as leak tester on cyl heads and intake maifolds. This one will go into the 20+ in range.

 

[Identaltech]

this is what it looks like.
2 pumps,tank and vacuum switch.
square D makes the vacuum switch this is what controls the pump motors.
pumps just **** out everything out of the tank.
a vacuum line runs to the operatorys and conects to the jar.

this is the jar.
the tube on the right is were you **** everything with into the jar.
this tube is higher than the middle tube going to the rotory valve that controls the volume of flow.
which then conects to your vacuum system.
you have to stop before the fluid in the jar reaches the middle tube.
hope this helps

 

[Identaltech]

you can use any container that will not collapse.
and any type of valve to control the flow.
or if you want to buy a jar set up like shown it will cost over $500.00
the pump way over $7000.00

 

[goodwrench]

hey i thought of some thing else, what oil do you use in these things? Mine has the jar on the side, with a wick to pull the oil up and into the pump. One thing i read said 10 or 20 weight high detergent. The tech told me 10w30 motor oil. What do you all use? My jar is getting low and it needs some. And a different question. Mine has a glass jar type filter on the inlet, air goes in the jar the through a felt, i think, filter then to the pump. Is this jar felt filter enough to keep any stray moisture, foreign matter i might accidentally **** up or any fine particulate out of the pump? I would hate to damage the pump by sucking up something i shouldn't have? There appears to be oil in the bottom of it which i figure should help trap dirt. So any thoughts on the oil? And on the filter??

Later!! chris

 

[goodwrench]

added a light switch and box to it so now it has a switch to turn it off and on. Found a cool metal box with like a piece of angle iron attached to it. Fit perfectly.. So anbody have any insight on the oil??

Later!! chris

 

[rjspitz]

Mine came with a bottle of "vacuum pump" oil, which seems to be the same consistency as compressor oil. Any chance there is a make/model on it? You might be able to find a manual for it.

 

[Identaltech]

dont use the 10w 30 its way to thick.
it will gum up the vanes.
use the 20w
as far as the inlet filter yes it will stop small amounts of moisture.
if you gum up the vanes you can take it apart and clean the vanes.
I just use brakeclean and reassemble it.
at some point you may have to replace the vanes.
your local dental dealer should be able to get them for your at a reasonable price.
or just buy another pump.