DonStegall

My Feedback: (1)

Since I started selling Quickie cores for only $10 and the Stinger kits, I've been getting a lot of requests for information about vacuum pumps and setups. They can get expensive for full blown rigs.

There is a great low cost option from Aerospace Composite Products. See [link]http://www.acp-composites.com/home.php?cat=4732[/link] ... It is only $90 for the pump, or $115 for the kit.

This kit comes complete with the pump, the bag, and the clips. You will have a no-hassle setup for bagging your own wings.

Kevin Matney

My Feedback: (1)

Home made by me. I found a new pump at Harbor freight. for Around 70.00 bucks

Ed Smith

I made my own. Used an old fridge compressor. Purchased the tank, vacuum switch and gauge and a few fittings. Cheaper and more versatile than the E-Z-Vac.

Ed S

DonStegall

My Feedback: (1)

Kevin,

That's a deal. I need more pumps. I will have to check out Harbor Freight. Thanks.

Ed,

Maybe you can draw up a diagram and post it? I'm selling a LOT of foam cores and I think the trend is going to continue.

I do think more people are going to start cutting their own. Especially since I send a printout of the templates with the cores. And my Feather/Cut video has been viewed over 250 times now.

Scott Hartman posted a thread on building a pump on the NMPRA site at [link=http://www.nmpra.org/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=12&t=1876]Building a Vacuum Pump[/link]

My sheeted wing business is strong and I really just got started. It is exciting that people are so into building. I would have offered the Smasher with foam cores a long time ago if I had known people would build it with wood and foam wings.

still4given

How do you create the bags? Do you just use visqueen? How do you seal the edges?

Thanks, Terry

DonStegall

My Feedback: (1)

I use 18" bagging material from CST. They have 20" bagging clips for $5 each that are a piece of plastic channel and a rod that snaps into the channel.

If you get the EZ-Vac kit, it comes with a 9' of bagging and 2 clips as well as 9' of breather cloth.

Here are photos of my clips.

still4given

Hi Don,

That looks pretty good but how do you handle the ends and corners? I already have a vacuum pump, just looking for a way to make custom size bags.

Thanks again, Terry

DonStegall

My Feedback: (1)

CST sells the bagging tube in 3 different sizes and they have clips to match. All you do is fold over the end and put the clip on. It is super simple and reusable.

You can make bags from polyethelene and caulking. See Scott Hartman's threads.

I'm doing a Smasher lay up at the moment. In a few hours I'll try to elaborate.

still4given

Thanks

Kevin Matney

My Feedback: (1)

Here is the pump [link=http://www.harborfreightusa.com/usa/itemdisplay/displayItem.do?itemid=98076&CategoryName=&SubCategoryName=]Vacumm pump[/link] Part ## ITEM 98076
Price around 80.00 bucks

DonStegall

My Feedback: (1)

I'm going to show a small bag I use for composite tails as it is easier to fit in photos.

I make a 1" slot in the edge of the bag. I use gray tacky seal to hold the vacuum line in place. I don't mess with the bag connectors as I have way too many bags in different sizes. I have 1/4" connectors on the vacuum line so I can disconnect them.

The third picture shows a mold in the bag with a piece of breather to the part.

The next picture shows the clips on the ends of the bag. In this photo I only folded the bag over once. If this was an actual session I would quadruple the fold because I pull 20"+ on the skins and I can't have any leaks.

I actually have a T on my pump with valves off each end so I can bag two parts at once. So I can bag a complete composite tail or wing at the same time.

Kevin Matney

My Feedback: (1)

I make my own bags from roll of 8 feet wide drop plastic, and seal it with a tube of latex caulk when done just pitch it a way.

racerxwest

When bagging a wing does the shucks go inside the bag or on the outside? Thanks

DonStegall

My Feedback: (1)

For my cores, I recommend bagging the whole thing, shucks and all

still4given

Like this?
http://www.dap.com/product_details.aspx?product_id=2

Thanks, Terry

dhal22

wouldn't any latex caulk work? yes, it's a smart aleck question.

still4given

Why, do you think they are all the same? I don't want to risk getting a bad laminating job because I took something for granted. Didn't seem like a dumb question to me.

sahartman21

When using latex caulking, it can be the cheapest stuff the store has.

I typically use the $1.27 tube from Wal-Mart.

The caulking does not harden. It just forms a seal around the edge.

dhal22

except for quality or warranties latex caulk is all the same. some stuff is cheap, some costs a bit more but for the application shown any caulk should work. painter's caulk or white lightning brand are the cheaper versions of caulk. they would work fine. good luck.

vicman

My Feedback: (10)

I just got mine all put togeather and working properly.
The one I chose was the retired fridge unit with a vacum switch job as posted by Shartman. He was also very kind and helpful in answering my questions...most of you guys always are.

Thanks Scott.

Now to bag some wings and finish some racers![8D]