Vacuum Chucks

[Frederick]

I am looking at making a vacuum chuck. There are not many made in this country and those that are are extremely expensive. I have a few ideas using bearings mounted in wood, long tubes etc.and, no doubt, the odd piece of string here and there.

I was wondering if anyone had any experiences of designing, part sourcing and building such equipment. I bet Penpal (Peter) has made a few.

Cheers,
Frederick

 

[Dalboy]

Not made one or owned one but will do when I have a larger lathe. I have the vacumn compressor (I wonder where that came from) anyway have a look on u tube but you will have to decide which is the safes one to make just search on there with "vacuum chuck" and it will bring up a few.

 

[flexi]

I am a sucker for a good vacuum cleaner , but that's as far as it goes.... Good luck

 

[Frederick]

I am looking at making a vacuum chuck. There are not many made in this country and those that are are extremely expensive. I have a few ideas using bearings mounted in wood, long tubes etc.and, no doubt, the odd piece of string here and there.

I was wondering if anyone had any experiences of designing, part sourcing and building such equipment. I bet Penpal (Peter) has made a few.

Cheers,
Frederick

PM'd you Derek....

 

[Themackay]

https://www.frugalvacuumchuck.com/

I bought one of these about 3 years ago

 

[Dalboy]

PM'd you Derek....

Have replied twice only because I forgot something this cold spell freezes my brain

 

[Bill Mooney]

I made my own years ago& it worked well enough. I mounted my bearings in corian. I’ll see if I can dig the photos out & post them. I bought a vacuum pump after using a vacuum cleaner for a while.

 

[Frederick]

Have replied twice only because I forgot something this cold spell freezes my brain

You're not the only one Derek. It was -3 in the workshop today and that's with an oil heater on as low as it will go. I did do some turning but after a couple hours gave up. My brain froze as well. Hopefully all this virus rubbish and rotten weather will pass, then we will all feel better.

Cheers
Frederick

 

[Frederick]

I made my own years ago& it worked well enough. I mounted my bearings in corian. I’ll see if I can dig the photos out & post them. I bought a vacuum pump after using a vacuum cleaner for a while.

OK Bill, if you find the pictures I would like to see them. I am going to seat the headstock bearing deep into a wood plate which will have been varnish to make it less porous. Hopefully the bearing will be airtight enough for it to work.

Cheers
Frederick

 

[Penpal]

Yes I have made a few,the secret however is never turn off the vacuum before the lathe,have fun mate.

Peter.

 

[fortress]

I tried to make a vacuum Chuck from an old Henry, it sucked.

 

[Bill Mooney]

OK Bill, if you find the pictures I would like to see them. I am going to seat the headstock bearing deep into a wood plate which will have been varnish to make it less porous. Hopefully the bearing will be airtight enough for it to work.

Cheers
Frederick

Use a sealed bearing. I can’t find all the photos but here are some. I’ll put photos of my system up when I take some.
Hi
This one shows my chuck

Another view of Chuck

This one shows side of chuck plate

 

[wm460]

If you were closer I have a spare Vacuum pump you could have.

http://www.azwoodturners.org/pages/tips/vacuum3.pdf
Vacuum Chuck! - Woodshop Mike

 

[21William]

Can I just ask what sort of stuff you would turn that needs the use of a vacuum Chuck?

 

[Pierre]

Walter Hall did some work on vacuum chucks on another forum, here are a couple of his links Vacuum Chuck Main Parts | Paul Hannaby Woodturning
Vacuum Chuck - Machinery - Turners Retreat

Hope they help

 

[Phil Dart]

Never made one, and don't know very much about making one, but I do remember reading once upon a time that vacuum cleaners aren't necessarily the best way to go. I think it was something to do with the way they suck, as opposed to creating a true vacuum. I can't really remember to be honest, and the wires to the dark recesses of my brain get more frayed and worn out with every day that passes, but it could be something you might want to google.

 

[Bill Mooney]

Never made one, and don't know very much about making one, but I do remember reading once upon a time that vacuum cleaners aren't necessarily the best way to go. I think it was something to do with the way they suck, as opposed to creating a true vacuum. I can't really remember to be honest, and the wires to the dark recesses of my brain get more frayed and worn out with every day that passes, but it could be something you might want to google.

You are right about a vacuum cleaner not being suitable for a vacuum chuck Phil. It can’t be used on a closed end which a vacuum chuck is when it is holding the timber. You can drill a 3mm hole in the nozzle end of the hose to allow a small amount of air to be drawn in by the cleaner. It works to an extent but not as efficiently or safely as a vacuum pump.

 

[Bill Mooney]

Can I just ask what sort of stuff you would turn that needs the use of a vacuum Chuck?

William I use my vacuum chuck to turn off centre & to do tilted turning. I use it to remove chucking points & finish the work. I can also mount a finished piece which has no chucking point to refurbish the piece. It saves making numerous friction chucks & jigs especislly when working to a price. It is an excellent piece of kit as far as I’m concerned making things easy for me.
I’ve turned quite a few bowling woods without chucking points quite easily & safely.

 

[21William]

Thanks Bill, I guessed it was something like that.