vacuum pump question

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bmac

bmac

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Joined
Feb 5, 2004
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633
Location
Watson, Louisiana, USA.
I got my vacuum pump that I bought from Ebay up and running. Now, for those of you that have vacuum pumps, what is a good vacuum? So far, I can only get about 18 to 20 on the gauge. I went to the gast web site and the specs. for this type said that the pump is rated for a max of 26. I know that I'm not going to get that, but I have no idea what I should be looking for. Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks
Bobby
Louisiana
 
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Bobby,
One thing you need to do is find out how much you can even get in your area. It varies according to Altitude and other factors.
In my area you can only expect to get 18. Assuming you are talking inches of Mercury which is the common way of measuring a vacume. because that is about all the atmosphere here has to give.
A bit of good news. the way I understand it, it does not take a tremendouse vacume to stabalize. iin fact a lot of people have mentioned going with less rather than more, as for numbers I will have to leave that to those that have actually done some of this. I have a labratory vacume pump that I got from work. don't know how to use it. Know enough that it requires special oil etc. I would love to get it set up on a larger container so I could stabalize blanks in batches. I've been to preoccupied with building my shop to give it much attention. it is one of those things I hope to get busy with when I finally do have time to get bored.
 
It all has to do with the pump. I used to get a full 29" of mercury on a vacuum pump when I used to make lasers and bell jars for metal coating back in high school. That was a very high vacuum. I've done some of the same stuff using a refrigerator compressor.
 
A friend just bought the gast pump from Surplus Center, gets only 20in. Another member has the same pump and gets 25. I have a different gast pump and I get 27. ??????? Why? I don't know. To check for leaks I intend on taking my better gage and hooking it up to the friend who only gets 20in. This will eliminate everything except his inexpensive gage. How much do you need, I suppose it depends on what you use it for. Mine is use for vacuum chucking when turning bowls, etc.
 
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