Re: [RCSE] Re: [soaring] harbor freight vaacum pump, any use?
Tord Eriksson wrote: On Sunday 06 February 2005 15.54, [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Just my gut feeling: Yes, yes, yes! But add a vacuum switch, of course! ... and an airtank to act as a vauum resevoir so the pump doesn't have to run continuously. FWIW, I recently updated my page on adding an electronic vacuum switch by making it simpler via using a solid-state relay (I got three new-in-box 25 Amp ones for $20 USD from an Ebay auction). My mechanical switch page needs an update too (gonna simplify it for the electronics shy), but it works; I used it before I bought a pair of digital electronic switches from Ebay. http://isoar.ca/~andrewm/rc/vacswitch/ -- Andrew E. Mileski Ottawa, Canada RCSE-List facilities provided by Model Airplane News. Send subscribe and unsubscribe requests to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Please note that subscribe and unsubscribe messages must be sent in text only format with MIME turned off. Email sent from web based email such as Hotmail and AOL are generally NOT in text format
Re: [RCSE] Re: [soaring] harbor freight vaacum pump, any use?
I was interested in your reason for using a reservoir, relay, vacuum switch etc. You stated the reason was so that the pump does not have to run all the time. Be aware that most vacuum pumps are actually designed for 24/7 operation cycles. The constant starting and stopping associated with the type of system you are talking about actually subjects your pump to much more wear rather than less. In addition, a system that uses more parts is also subject to more reasons for failure. A bad switch or contact can cause your valuable lay-up to be ruined if failure should occur during the initial stages of curing. A pump that runs continuously is far less prone to failure. That's been my experience. You will also find that the people that use this type of equipment the most will use a vacuum pump without all the other plumbing. See Phil Barnes' vacuum bagging video and you'll see how he has his shop set up. No switch or reservoir. It's less expensive, less parts required and less likely to fail. My two cents worth. Ed - Original Message - From: Andrew E Mileski [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: soaring@airage.com Sent: Tuesday, February 08, 2005 1:51 PM Subject: Re: [RCSE] Re: [soaring] harbor freight vaacum pump, any use? Tord Eriksson wrote: On Sunday 06 February 2005 15.54, [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Just my gut feeling: Yes, yes, yes! But add a vacuum switch, of course! ... and an airtank to act as a vauum resevoir so the pump doesn't have to run continuously. FWIW, I recently updated my page on adding an electronic vacuum switch by making it simpler via using a solid-state relay (I got three new-in-box 25 Amp ones for $20 USD from an Ebay auction). My mechanical switch page needs an update too (gonna simplify it for the electronics shy), but it works; I used it before I bought a pair of digital electronic switches from Ebay. http://isoar.ca/~andrewm/rc/vacswitch/ -- Andrew E. Mileski Ottawa, Canada RCSE-List facilities provided by Model Airplane News. Send subscribe and unsubscribe requests to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Please note that subscribe and unsubscribe messages must be sent in text only format with MIME turned off. Email sent from web based email such as Hotmail and AOL are generally NOT in text format RCSE-List facilities provided by Model Airplane News. Send subscribe and unsubscribe requests to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Please note that subscribe and unsubscribe messages must be sent in text only format with MIME turned off. Email sent from web based email such as Hotmail and AOL are generally NOT in text format
Re: [RCSE] Re: [soaring] harbor freight vaacum pump, any use?
Ed Berris wrote: Be aware that most vacuum pumps are actually designed for 24/7 operation cycles. The constant starting and stopping associated with the type of system you are talking about actually subjects your pump to much more wear rather than less. Yup. Less wear on my ears though. A bad switch or contact can cause your valuable lay-up to be ruined if failure should occur during the initial stages of curing. No contacts in my all-electronic system. The solid-state relay I'm using (25A @ 240VAC) is also overkill for my pump (3A @ 120VAC), so it doesn't heat up. A pump that runs continuously is far less prone to failure. Agreed. Another problem you missed: some vacuum pumps won't start under high vaccum (mine needs to be under 9). Since the pump valves are not perfect, they bleed enough to take care of this. A vaccum check valve prevents bleeding into the tank (and hence bag). I also do sheeted foam wings, and the white foam can't handle full vacuum. Being able to regulate the vacuum without a noisy bleeder is also nice. -- Andrew E. Mileski Ottawa, Canada RCSE-List facilities provided by Model Airplane News. Send subscribe and unsubscribe requests to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Please note that subscribe and unsubscribe messages must be sent in text only format with MIME turned off. Email sent from web based email such as Hotmail and AOL are generally NOT in text format
[RCSE] Re: [soaring] harbor freight vaacum pump, any use?
On Sunday 06 February 2005 15.54, [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: The Harbor Freight store in town has a red, AC powered vacuum pump by Central Pneumatic on sale for ten bucks, marked down from 15. It's used to pull vacuum on air conditioning lines prior to adding refrigerant, ad copy only sez it will pull a full vacuum within 2 minutes. at 4.2CFM ... It seems very uncomplicated, no mention of a regulator or anything... is this of any practical use to me should I decide to get into bagging wings and stuff? Just my gut feeling: Yes, yes, yes! But add a vacuum switch, of course! If yes, I would probably just buy it now and store it until I got the urge to try and make bagged wings down the road, but is this type of unit really any use for our applications, esp. for a raw beginner at bagging? Or should i wait and maybe buy a complete package later if the mood strikes? Money is ALWAYS a factor... It will also be perfect if your into building boats - there is no better way than bagging things to get a mirrow finish when you use epoxy. I've seen photos of bars, boats with perfect finish, all thanks to this technique! Tord RCSE-List facilities provided by Model Airplane News. Send subscribe and unsubscribe requests to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Please note that subscribe and unsubscribe messages must be sent in text only format with MIME turned off. Email sent from web based email such as Hotmail and AOL are generally NOT in text format
