Vacuum pump question

[Bob Hallowell]

I acquired this compress pump today. It is a rocking piston style gast vacuum/compressor pump I think. I don't know much about these.

Here is a link the model I have is a LAA-102-NAN which is not listed but it looks the same.
http://www.gastmfg.com/pdf/rockpist/specsht/laa.pdf

It has listed 29inHg in a stage configuration which I don't think mine is set that way as I think you need to connect the 2 ports facing each other. My question is should this work ok for vacuum chucking? It draws a vacuum form each of the heads I could probaly just hook the 2 together. any help on this thing would be great.

also does anyone know where I can buy a vacuum gauge?

Thanks Bob

[Christopher K. Hartley]

Bob, between these two places you should be able to get all you will need.

http://www.surpluscenter.com/air.asp?UID=2007042803362102&catname=air

http://www.use-enco.com/CGI/INSRHI?PMSECT=0000001696

I have used both places and they are great. You might try Bill Boehme to ask about the pump. He is very knowledgeable and has helped myself and some other guys quite a bit.:)

[Keith Outten]

Bob,

I spent some time yesterday morning talking to my local Gast Rep in Chesapeake Virginia trying to find out if the Gast compressor that I own could be used for vacuum work. Unfortunately my model wasn't listed on the Gast web site but the Rep found out it is indeed capable of being used for vacuum work.

I have a need to make some vacuum pucks to use as clamps on my ShopBot and didn't want to have to purchase a new vacumm pump if the one I own will do the trick. You can't assume that your compressor can be used both ways, contact Gast or find a local Rep like I did to obtain the information about your model.

Here is a link that will help with your search for a vacuum guage, vacuum controllers and some other goodies you will need to setup your pump.

http://www.joewoodworker.com

.

[Bob Hallowell]

Keith on of the heads says pressure, the othe says vacuum right on it so I am thinking the means it could be used as both.

Bob

[Bob Hallowell]

Bump,
I was hoping someone know something. "Bill?"

Bob

[Paul Andrews]

According to the information on the chart from Gast, the amount of vacuum produced is fine but the CFM is low. Will it work, possibly. If you have the pump you might as well try it.

Most turners that I know use a rotary vane pump with at least 4.5 CFM. These work fine on most woods but still need help (tape or plastic wrap) on porous woods. I use a 0523 Gast 4.5 CFM set up on one lathe and a 1023 Gast 10 CFM on the other.

[Keith Outten]

Bob,

Sounds like you are in luck and willl be able to use your compressor for vacuum. The low CFM numbers are not much of an issue with plastic materials but they become important when using wood or other materails that are porus.

Mine has a very low CFM number but I intend to use it on Corian so it should work fine.
.