Vacuum Chucking

[mindthatwhatouch]

Thought I'd share my experiences of vacuum chucking. Purchased a secondhand vacuum pump (Airpress one)
I'm new to all of this so maybe a huge failure but first up is the rotary adaptor to go into the headstock, hand wheel end.
Turned a piece of aluminium with three o rings fitted into grooves, fair amount of trial and error to get correct fit.
Two sealed bearings held in a piece of nylon type material (old material roller) and a hose barb to connect to valve and gauge and then onto vacuum pump.

 

[Katomi woodsmith]

Let us know how you get on

 

[Paul Hannaby]

You might find this article of interest.

 

[mindthatwhatouch]

Hi Paul,
Already seen that, very useful cheers.

 

[mindthatwhatouch]

Next up the gauge and valve that can be mounted near the lathe for control of the vacuum. Quick connect to go to the pump.

 

[mindthatwhatouch]

Video of the adapter being cobbled together (errr I mean finely constructed)

 

[alex robinson]

Thought I'd share my experiences of vacuum chucking. Purchased a secondhand vacuum pump (Airpress one)
I'm new to all of this so maybe a huge failure but first up is the rotary adaptor to go into the headstock, hand wheel end.
Turned a piece of aluminium with three o rings fitted into grooves, fair amount of trial and error to get correct fit.
Two sealed bearings held in a piece of nylon type material (old material roller) and a hose barb to connect to valve and gauge and then onto vacuum pump.

Very impressive making the rotary adapter. Have you got a similarly elegant plan for the chick itself? Mine is an unglamorous combination of toilet waste pipe, mrmdf and neoprene.

Well worth making one though - I don't understand why they aren't more common. All other ways of finishing bowl bases feel so inferior in comparison.