gummycarbs
Member
- Joined
- May 17, 2016
- Messages
- 21
Here's how I adapted an Ametek Lamb 116565-13, three-stage 5.7 inch motor to my "6 HP" SL14-600C Shop-Vac. Disclaimer: the welds are terrible because, as I found out later, I had a split in my argon gas line. I used 1/8" aluminum sheet, but you could just as easily make this from steel or even wood and/or plastic.
I bought the 116565-13 motor from Steam-Brite.com for $92.20. I found a simple filter (039-144) on DiscountCleaningProducts.com for around a buck apiece.
According to my notes, the Shop-Vac model SL14-600C was rated at 145 CFM, 11.8 amps, and 275 peak air-watts.
The Ametek motor claims 99 CFM, 10.7 amps maximum, sealed vacuum of 117.4 inches, and 368 maximum air-watts. If I were doing this over again, I might look at the next more powerful motor. This one has great *suction*, but the airflow isn't as intense, if that makes sense. It seems like it was maybe meant more for something like a carpet extraction machine, where you want strong vacuum force but not necessarily maximum CFM.
Anyway, back to the build. As it turned out, the filter fit neatly into the opening in the Shop-Vac lid:
I added some EVA foam as a simple gasket:
I used some thin cardboard to make a template of the top of the Shop-Vac lid, then cut one sheet to mate with the lid, and a second to mate with the Ametek Lamb motor:
A strip was needed to attach these two parts. The necessary width was determined by screwing the aluminum base to the Shop-Vac lid, then setting the Ametek motor in place and measuring the needed height with digital calipers The strip was bent into a semi-circle using a bench vise. :
Then it was clumsily welded together. Turns out the argon gas hose was split, hence the awful time I was having getting a puddle going!
The base attaches to the Shop-Vac lid using 1/4-20 from the bottom:
I actually used it this way for about a year, with the top of the Shop-Vac controls just pressed onto the top of the Ametek motor. The circular relief on the underside of the Shop-Vac top happens to have a nice interference fit with the top of the Ametek motor. Worked great, but it couldn't be picked up by the handle. Eventually, I got around to encasing the top of the Ametek motor and providing a threaded connection:
This was more of the same: thin cardboard templates, and hand-bending the sides.
To tie the handle, the Shop-Vac upper, and the aluminum base together, I used 4" 10-32 bolts.
A quick spray with Trim Black to hide the awful welds:
I bought the 116565-13 motor from Steam-Brite.com for $92.20. I found a simple filter (039-144) on DiscountCleaningProducts.com for around a buck apiece.
According to my notes, the Shop-Vac model SL14-600C was rated at 145 CFM, 11.8 amps, and 275 peak air-watts.
The Ametek motor claims 99 CFM, 10.7 amps maximum, sealed vacuum of 117.4 inches, and 368 maximum air-watts. If I were doing this over again, I might look at the next more powerful motor. This one has great *suction*, but the airflow isn't as intense, if that makes sense. It seems like it was maybe meant more for something like a carpet extraction machine, where you want strong vacuum force but not necessarily maximum CFM.
Anyway, back to the build. As it turned out, the filter fit neatly into the opening in the Shop-Vac lid:
I added some EVA foam as a simple gasket:
I used some thin cardboard to make a template of the top of the Shop-Vac lid, then cut one sheet to mate with the lid, and a second to mate with the Ametek Lamb motor:
A strip was needed to attach these two parts. The necessary width was determined by screwing the aluminum base to the Shop-Vac lid, then setting the Ametek motor in place and measuring the needed height with digital calipers The strip was bent into a semi-circle using a bench vise. :
Then it was clumsily welded together. Turns out the argon gas hose was split, hence the awful time I was having getting a puddle going!
The base attaches to the Shop-Vac lid using 1/4-20 from the bottom:
I actually used it this way for about a year, with the top of the Shop-Vac controls just pressed onto the top of the Ametek motor. The circular relief on the underside of the Shop-Vac top happens to have a nice interference fit with the top of the Ametek motor. Worked great, but it couldn't be picked up by the handle. Eventually, I got around to encasing the top of the Ametek motor and providing a threaded connection:
This was more of the same: thin cardboard templates, and hand-bending the sides.
To tie the handle, the Shop-Vac upper, and the aluminum base together, I used 4" 10-32 bolts.
A quick spray with Trim Black to hide the awful welds:
