Vacuum chuck

[Robert Torkomian]

Hi All,

I am looking for some guidence on what vacuum to buy for a vacuum chuck. Is there away to make one of these vacuums?

Thanks
Rob

[Paul Andrews]

The current best deal in vacuum pumps is http://www.surpluscenter.com/item.asp?UID=2007011715193546&item=4-1540&catname=.

These are brand new Gast pumps and they work great. As for making one I have no knowledge. For $90 you cannot go wrong with this pump.

[Gordon Seto]

Get a copy of the Fall 2005 issue of Woodturning Design magazine. The article by King Heiple has all the answer you need to make an inexpensive real vacuum chucking system. The vacuum adapter is easier to use than threading the lamp rod through the headstock.
More technical over here:
http://www.woodturners.org/tech_tips/vacuum_chuck/vacuum-chucks.pdf

[TYLER WOOD]

You can make one yourself. I just did. I'll post a work up of it on the site in a little while. Give me time to write it up.

[David Walser]

Tyler,

I may have misread Rob's question, but I thought he was asking what vacuum (pump) to buy for use with a vacuum chuck. Did you make the chuck or the pump? Either way, I'll look forward to seeing what you came up with.

[TYLER WOOD]

I made the chuck and the pump. The entire system fur under $150. I have now posted the system on there, but me knowing how to do it I might have left out simple steps that were just understood, so if there are questions, please ask.