Inexpensive setup for vacuum bagging
10-08-2013, 08:05 PM
#1
Thread Starter
Inexpensive setup for vacuum bagging
Inspired by a thread on another site, I put together this vacuum bagging setup from www.veneersupplies.com.
The pump is a rebuilt Thomas 3.15 CFM vacuum pump. Veneer Supplies has a number of bagging kits. I did the EVS Auto-Cycling kit with optional PVC tank kit. The rest of the items were purchased at the local hardware store.
Total cost was under $400. That was less than what most places sell a comparable pump. About the only other items you will need will be a port for your bag and bagging materials. The kit comes with a quick disconnect that will work with valve stem type ports.
The system has a MAC valve which unloads the vacuum on the pump between cycles making startups easier on the pump. It has an adjustable vacuum pressure regulator. The pump is capable of 25" of vacuum.
There are detailed construction instructions at http://www.joewoodworker.com/veneering/EVS/concept.htm.
Here are a couple of photos of my end results
And here are some photos of my first bag, a carbon-balsa-carbon panel.
This panel measures 6" x 6" x .165". made with 6, 2" x 3" pieces of end grain balsa that I cut from a scrap block and 5.2 oz plain weave carbon. I used West Systems 105 resin with 206 hardener.
The resulting panel weights 22 grams and is less than half the weight of a 6" x 6" x .125" birch 5 ply from Midwestern and is significantly stiffer and stronger.
Scott
The pump is a rebuilt Thomas 3.15 CFM vacuum pump. Veneer Supplies has a number of bagging kits. I did the EVS Auto-Cycling kit with optional PVC tank kit. The rest of the items were purchased at the local hardware store.
Total cost was under $400. That was less than what most places sell a comparable pump. About the only other items you will need will be a port for your bag and bagging materials. The kit comes with a quick disconnect that will work with valve stem type ports.
The system has a MAC valve which unloads the vacuum on the pump between cycles making startups easier on the pump. It has an adjustable vacuum pressure regulator. The pump is capable of 25" of vacuum.
There are detailed construction instructions at http://www.joewoodworker.com/veneering/EVS/concept.htm.
Here are a couple of photos of my end results
And here are some photos of my first bag, a carbon-balsa-carbon panel.
This panel measures 6" x 6" x .165". made with 6, 2" x 3" pieces of end grain balsa that I cut from a scrap block and 5.2 oz plain weave carbon. I used West Systems 105 resin with 206 hardener.
The resulting panel weights 22 grams and is less than half the weight of a 6" x 6" x .125" birch 5 ply from Midwestern and is significantly stiffer and stronger.
Scott
Last edited by saramos; 10-08-2013 at 08:08 PM.
