Welch Duo Seal Vacuum Pump, model 1400

[Mike OMelia]

Anybody ever used one of these? Pricey!

Mike

[Jamie Buxton]

There's a big variety in the world of vacuum pumps. Which kind to choose depends on what you're doing with it. If you're doing something like making integrated circuits, you need a pump that can clean out every last molecule of gas, and that's expensive. But if you're just using vacuum to clamp stuff, which is what woodworkers do, the pump doesn't need to remove every molecule of atmosphere. If it can remove 95% of them, you'll be fine. You get 14 pound per square inch of clamping force, instead of the maximum theoretical force of 14.7 pounds per square inch. So we can get by with pumps of less-expensive design. www.joewoodworker.com is a good source for pumps suitable for wood clamping.