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Vacuum Equipment

F

Frederick

Registered
Joined
Apr 8, 2018
Posts
871
Location
Chatham
First Name
Frederick
Hello all,

I am going to cast my own blanks but know nothing about vacuum pumps and chambers.

I have seen a 2L chamber which is the size I think I would like but what pump would suit this size, Iabsolutely have no idea.
If anyone has any advice on makes, models etc, I would be grateful.

Thanks,
Frederick
 
Penpal

Penpal

Grand Master
Joined
May 26, 2013
Posts
25,342
Location
Canberra AUSTRALIA
First Name
Peter
Why not go to the horses mouth and ask the 2litre chamber people. Best to determine what you want then go for it.

Peter.
 
M

McKenzie Penworks

Apprentice Member
Joined
Mar 8, 2018
Posts
37
Location
Waxhaw, NC
First Name
Tim
Yep, pressure pot is what you need for casting resins and guaranteeing they won't have bubbles. Some of the slower setting stuff like Liquid diamonds doesn't necessarily need a pressure pot but you may have a stray bubble or two without it.

Vacuum COULD be used to degas resin prior to casting but by the time you stir it up you've introduced a bunch of air back in. Frankly, it just doesn't move air fast enough to be appropriate for casting applications. We use vacuum for stabilizing wood because we can wait 24 hours+ with no problem.

Basically, you want to be on the look out for a pressure paint pot. As far as converting it, you just don't need anything to siphon paint out or stir it up so if it has those things, remove them and plug them up. There's no reason to go crazy with pressure. I'm not sure the metric equivalent but 45PSI of pressure has worked just fine for me. You'll need an air source, but since the air is being stored in the pressure pot, you don't need a huge air compressor by any means.
 
F

Frederick

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Posts
871
Location
Chatham
First Name
Frederick
Hello Terry

Thanks for this. I thought it could all be done with a vacuum. Something else learnt today. I now have to find out the difference between casting and stabilising. I thought that all the pressure or vacuum did was remove air bubbles. More work needed on my behalf then. Cheers Terry and thanks for the advice.

Regards
Frederick
 
F

Frederick

Registered
Joined
Apr 8, 2018
Posts
871
Location
Chatham
First Name
Frederick
McKenzie Penworks said:
Yep, pressure pot is what you need for casting resins and guaranteeing they won't have bubbles. Some of the slower setting stuff like Liquid diamonds doesn't necessarily need a pressure pot but you may have a stray bubble or two without it.

Vacuum COULD be used to degas resin prior to casting but by the time you stir it up you've introduced a bunch of air back in. Frankly, it just doesn't move air fast enough to be appropriate for casting applications. We use vacuum for stabilizing wood because we can wait 24 hours+ with no problem.

Basically, you want to be on the look out for a pressure paint pot. As far as converting it, you just don't need anything to siphon paint out or stir it up so if it has those things, remove them and plug them up. There's no reason to go crazy with pressure. I'm not sure the metric equivalent but 45PSI of pressure has worked just fine for me. You'll need an air source, but since the air is being stored in the pressure pot, you don't need a huge air compressor by any means.
Click to expand...

Lovely answer Tim, thanks. Just what I needed to know.

Regards,
Frederick
 
Terry Q

Terry Q

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Oct 8, 2014
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3,849
Location
Roanoke, Illinois USA
First Name
Terry
Frederick said:
Hello Terry

Thanks for this. I thought it could all be done with a vacuum. Something else learnt today. I now have to find out the difference between casting and stabilising. I thought that all the pressure or vacuum did was remove air bubbles. More work needed on my behalf then. Cheers Terry and thanks for the advice.

Regards
Frederick
Click to expand...

Frederick

Curtis Seaback owns this site and is considered the go to expert. He got me started in the stabilizing business. His videos should answer any of your questions.
Cactus Juice Stabilizing Resources

Terry
 
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