can this be used...

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redneckmedic

redneckmedic

Member
Joined
Dec 15, 2012
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265
Location
Greenfield, IN USA
For a vacuum chamber...?

And where would one find 12" rubber or neoprene gaskets? I've looked everywhere online for local retailers and internet vendors... no bones except custom orders.

YouTube


OK, further research shows that it was actually created for alumilite casting... but the second question still stands.... where to buy large diameter gaskets....?

http://www.alumilite.com/ProdDetail.cfm?Category=Support Products&Name=Vacuum Chamber


Vacuum%20Chamber.jpg
 
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If the guys making Alumilite don't sell a gasket for it look to automotive or industrial suppliers for rubber or silicon rubber sheet material and cut it to size yourself.
 
Anything large enough to hold you piece that is airtight and strong enough will work for a vacuum chamber. Everything from heavy jars and glass mixing vowls to pots and pans (if you don't need to see through them).

You can buy sheet rubber gasket material at Ace Hardware (what I use) and cut you own or use a high durometer -hard- silicon rubber compound to cast them in place. I just rubber glued a sheet of ruber to a poly cutting board (just what I had handy and didn't need), drilled a hole through the board and put a barb fitting in it and set whatever container of resin I'm working with on it then cover it with a heavy glass vessel of whatever size is appropriate to work like a bell jar for it so it covers the fitting hole and the product and turn the vacuum on. Only caveat is to be sure your vessel is heavy enough to withstand vacuum and doesn't have cracks in it (doesn't hurt to put a protective sheet of lexan or similar as a safety precaution, but that is always true for any vacuum or pressure vessel you're working in close proximity to.

BTW couldn't watch the video on my computer so I'm not really able to comment on the specific vessel you are asking about.
 
Hit up your local big box store Meijer's,Wally World. In the cooking section at Meijer's they have silicon baking sheets on clearance. bought a couple and wife snatched two to use for baking. They have different sizes for the cooking metal baking sheets!
:clown:
 
Check and see if you have a Pipe supplier near you. The guys that sell supplies for water and sewer lines. Check for a company called HD supply, or Ferguson. You want a Flange fitting gasket.
 
What you have pictured there is nearly identical to my DIY vacuum chamber. Found a 12" PVC coupling for $10(normally~$30 or so, a whole another story) at the local plumbing supply. Purchased a 12x24 sheet of Lexan on Amazon and cut it into two 12x12 sheets, installed an air fitting high on the side of the coupling and presto I have a 12"Hx10"D chamber. But the main point here is that I didn't even consider gaskets. I wipe the top and bottom surfaces of the PVC clean, lay on the Lexan and draw 29+ inches of HG vacuum. So if it were me I would see what I get without the caskets. If you really think you need them try the sheets of craft foam found in the craft section of most of the Borgs.
 
making gaskets is easy.

Get two flat pieces of material larger than your needs. Lay the first down and cover it with wax paper. Make your gasket with silicon caulk or sealant. place stack of pennies in three or four locations to your desired thickness and place the second flat sheet with wax paper on the bottom on top of the pennies.

You'll wind up with a evenly thick gasket in any shape you need.

We used this technique for attaching the primary mirror in a telescope mount to reduce vibrations but keep everything level.
 
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