Vacuum press

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Hornbeam

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21 Mar 2017
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About 10 years ago I acquired an old battered vacuum pump out of a skip and it sat in the workshop waiting for the right project.
The right project has arrived so it was given a thorough clean and new oil.
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I then spoke to the guys at easy composites, the technical advice seemed really good and bought some bsp fittings, a bag connector with quick release and some hose. I tapped a bsp 1/4 inch thread into the vacuum trap and connected everything up using ptfe tape.
For the gags I used the semi disposable bagging material from easy composites. Works out about £2.50 for a bag 2000mm X 750mm and sealed with a butyl mastic tape.
First trial run showed the vacuum wasnt pulling right to the edged so I put an old towel on top of some polythene to allow the air to be pulled out and he polythene tops the towel getting glued.
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The press had no problems pressing 2 wardrobe side panels 1900mm X 550mm.
The mastic is really stick but can with care be un peeled. Once I have finished I have cut the bag down very slightly to get rid of all the mastic goo so I expect to get at least 10 presses of different sizes out of £2.50 worth of bagging film
Total cost about £65 for fitting and £25 for bagging.
The only problem is the pump fumes very slightly so I will need a breather tube to vent out of teh shop or just pace the pump outside. Dint mater yesterday as just set up outside in the garden
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Ian
 

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