John Cimino
04-28-2015, 2:25 PM
I am in the process of evaluating if vacuum presses for CNC woodworking will work for me so I am experimenting at the moment. I purchased an inexpensive vacuum pump from Harbour Freight to "wet my feet". It is a Pittsburgh 2.5 cfm model (item #98076 from the Harbour Freight website). This is an oil bath type pump used for refrigeration service. When I use this pump it is both quiet and produces good suction (29" Hg), however, it ejects a continuous plume of oily smelling mist. This mist quickly fills my small shop space and I am concerned of both the health risks and contamination of my shop environment (as I finish my projects in the same room). Of course I have followed the pump manufacturers directions (used their oil filled to the appropriate level).
I am looking for advise on how to best deal with this? Perhaps someone has solved this problem?
I can think of five possible routes:
1. Pipe the exhaust outside. If a large pipe is used the back pressure would be small.
2. Filter the exhaust. I need an inexpensive filter recommendation that would be effective at removing the oil from the exhaust.
3. Use an alternate oil. I used the oil that came with the machine and filled to the appropriate level but perhaps someone has solved this issue by using an alternate oil?
4. Locate the pump outside and pipe the suction side to the CNC machine. Not my preferred option as I am worried about theft and noise to the neighbours.
5. Try an alternate pump (again looking for recommendations at the same price point of $100).
Any ideas?
I am looking for advise on how to best deal with this? Perhaps someone has solved this problem?
I can think of five possible routes:
1. Pipe the exhaust outside. If a large pipe is used the back pressure would be small.
2. Filter the exhaust. I need an inexpensive filter recommendation that would be effective at removing the oil from the exhaust.
3. Use an alternate oil. I used the oil that came with the machine and filled to the appropriate level but perhaps someone has solved this issue by using an alternate oil?
4. Locate the pump outside and pipe the suction side to the CNC machine. Not my preferred option as I am worried about theft and noise to the neighbours.
5. Try an alternate pump (again looking for recommendations at the same price point of $100).
Any ideas?