Vacuum Pump

[Mike Stephens]

I have been doing a lot of resaerch on vacuum chucks. I want to build my own and I am looking at 1 on the bay. It is ending sonn and I just don't have time to go back through all the info now.

Could someone tell me what the CFM requirements for a vacuum chuck is.

Thanks,
Mike

[Paul Andrews]

Mike,

I would not use a pump that moves less than 4 CFM. Others may have experienced success with less.

[Jeff Luedloff]

My Vacuum pump is 5 cfms, old ac vacuum pump draws down to 27 works very well

[John Fricke]

Mine is 5 cfm also. will draw plenty.

[Mike Stephens]

Thanks

The 1 I was looking at is to small.

[Steve Schlumpf]

Mike - I have a Gast that draws 4.5 cfm and works great. I always thought you needed at least 4 cfm to work but there are a number of folks here on SMC that use very small pumps - around 2.5 cfm - and state they work just fine! I believe Larry Marley uses a small vac pump - so you may want to check with him for any details.

[Julian Nicks]

Go check out www.joewoodworker.com (http://www.joewoodworker.com) . You'll find all the necessary info and parts to build your own system.

[Keith Outten]

CW McCellan has a few of the 3/4 hp, 4.5 cfm rotary pumps left. The price is $250.00, they are new and originally cost over $600.00.
.

[Jason Clark2]

PM sent.

Jason

[Mike Lipke]

There are some on Ebay for lots less, especially 220 volt.
I bought one, a Thomas, for $25. I needed to buy a capacitor ($8 at Grainger), and it works great.
110 volt pumps can be had for about $75.

[Ryan Baker]

I have a 2.5 CFM harbor freight and it works fine ... pulls 29"Hg no problem.

For lathe chucking, you don't really need to move much volume, unless you are trying to chuck something really porus or with cracks or openings. In those cases you can often help it out by covering part of the blank with tape to seal it up. Once you are at the desired vacuum level, you don't need to pump air out any faster than it is leaking in.

[Mike Stephens]

Wow! I got more info out of that 1 little question then I had anticipated.

Thanks Creekers.

Mike

[Mike Stephens]

I just purchased a pump that delivers 3.7 CFM. So I guess I'm on my way.:D

Thanks Again,
Mike

[Steve Bistritz]

Just in case anyone else is looking for one...........

https://www.surpluscenter.com/item.asp?UID=2009050521562359&item=4-1669&catname=