Vacuum pump recommendation

[Rogers954]

Hey everyone,

I’m looking to get a vacuum chamber to use with my resin projects, some silicon molding, and mostly for wood stabilization.

I’ve got a couple of chambers picked out, but the only thing I’m a little hesitant about is the pump because most of these chambers on Amazon come in a kit with a cheap 3-5 CFM Chinese pump.

So comparing one of the chambers i like, the non kit version vs the kit version with the pump included is about $110 price difference. This is accurate for most of them, my question is can I source a better pump than the one included in the $110 price range (Mostly looking for recommendations here)?

Alternatively I looked at the local classified site and FB market place and saw a few upper tier second hand options (a Hilmore, a couple of platinums, couple of JB’s) and in my limited searching found these to be considered some of the best offerings used by a lot of ac techs so that got me thinking?

Would i be better off looking for second hand pump that might be of USA build quality? I don’t mind paying a little more to get a quality unit that’s not gonna **** out on me and can pull a strong vacuum (trying to hit close to 30 inHg)

Most of these higher end used units were around the $200-250 mark. With hardly any vacuum pump knowledge I’m really just looking for some advise on the best way to spend my limited resources to get a decent piece of equipment that will hopefully be trouble free.

Appreciate any help.

 

[The Metric System]

My job involves using vacuum pumps to prepare critical-application refrigeration systems, I have used a whole lot of vacuum pumps and done instrumented runoffs and testing of most of the options on the market.

I do not find the conventional style JB/Platinum pumps to be any better or more reliable than the el cheapo versions; we've had enough of them fail mid-job that we no longer permit techs to use them on our systems.

For the application you describe where you are not looking for micron-level vacuum you will not see any performance improvement from a larger/better pump, anything will evacuate that to a very high relative vacuum and hold it there as long as you want.

The only real downsides I've found to the inexpensive pumps is that they can be very loud and are sometimes more sensitive to marginal power supplies. In a pinch, I have successfully evacuated a $3m system with a $140 Harbor Freight vacuum pump.

If I were you I would get the kit and just plan to change the oil regularly.

The best field-grade vacuum pumps in the world are the Fieldpiece VP series. They are not made in the US; this does not matter. They're more reliable, quieter, and easier to work with than anything else on the market; we buy them by the pallet load.

 

[Rogers954]

My job involves using vacuum pumps to prepare critical-application refrigeration systems, I have used a whole lot of vacuum pumps and done instrumented runoffs and testing of most of the options on the market.

I do not find the conventional style JB/Platinum pumps to be any better or more reliable than the el cheapo versions; we've had enough of them fail mid-job that we no longer permit techs to use them on our systems.

For the application you describe where you are not looking for micron-level vacuum you will not see any performance improvement from a larger/better pump, anything will evacuate that to a very high relative vacuum and hold it there as long as you want.

The only real downsides I've found to the inexpensive pumps is that they can be very loud and are sometimes more sensitive to marginal power supplies. In a pinch, I have successfully evacuated a $3m system with a $140 Harbor Freight vacuum pump.

If I were you I would get the kit and just plan to change the oil regularly.

The best field-grade vacuum pumps in the world are the Fieldpiece VP series. They are not made in the US; this does not matter. They're more reliable, quieter, and easier to work with than anything else on the market; we buy them by the pallet load.

Apologies I got incredibly busy over the last couple of weeks and forgot all about my post. Thank you for the incredibly thorough response. Usually I’ll settle for a few simple reply’s all agreeing on the same equipment as my general guide to follow, so i really do appreciate all the information you passed along.

I’m actually a little relieved by your response. Anytime i can skip trying to build a better end product and just buy something premade that just works it’s a nice change of pace especially for how badly i overthink things.

I just can’t stand wasting money on junk, and i plan to use this little pump quite a bit and not always but usually when your buying things made overseas you can pick and choose quality items, but once you stat looking at “kits” there’s generally some part of the kit that’s low quality to make it more affordable.

I have no issues doing frequent oil changes it’s not like it’s a difficult task on these little pumps, and if that will keep it sucking, then that’s what I’ll do.

Again thanks for making the choice easy for me

 

[Junkman]

Just make sure you purchase the correct oil for your vacuum pump, and be forewarned that it isn't inexpensive.

 

[nadogail]

The Printed Circuit Board plant I worked at used, to the best of my recollection, Bush Vacuum Pumps.