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.

 

[mindthatwhatouch]

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.

Thanks Alex,

Oh don't worry, I'm very capable of heading straight down the 'unglamorous' route.