Wood stabilizing equipment

[Rogers954]

Hey all, I’m wanting to pick up a vacuum chamber to start doing my own wood stabilizing for making things like knife handles. So I’ve got my chamber picked out, the only question i have is whether or not to go with this kit that has a pump included or should i try to source a better pump for the price?

Here’s the chamber and the pump kit.

https://a.co/d/bNBDO8b

Chamber alone i could pick up for $119, but if i choose the pump kit it takes it up to $229 so the real question is do i roll the dice on their pump (which is usually the cheapest part of these kits) or do you guys think i could source a better pump for the job?

I know like most things pumps are definitely not created equally (especially now days) so could i do better with the $110 price difference on a different pump, or do i just stick with what they are offering? I need it to pull a strong vacuum and obviously build quality/reliability is my #1 concern (rather just buy once).

Appreciate any feedback or opinions.

Thanks
-Mike

 

[RTM]

Around here, a good vacuum pump (I.e. Gast) is running $75-200 on CL. Might be worth the extra $$, not sure how likely you are to find one where you are.

 

[BigMike782]

Long ago I found a Gast pump in a pawn shop and bought it cheap. I also was gifted a broken HVAC vacuum pump that I fixed pretty cheap. I used the Gast for the stabilizing I have done and it worked well. I would think the imports are probably a knockoff of a Gast.