Why do vacume pumps cost so much? - Pirate4x4.Com : 4x4 and Off-Road Forum

pyrogeek · 01-16-2012, 02:13 PM

I was looking on the internet and I've found alot of them, anywhere from $10.00 on sale at Harbour Frieght to $15,000.00. Does anyone know why they can get so exspensive? I was looking at one, that i think would work for a 4'x4' table, and the specs said 56 CFM at 45 inches of water $800.00. 56 CFM isn't that much and 45 inches of water is less than 2 psi, I have found shop vacs with higher ratings than that. Shop vacs don't cost $800.00 dollars, so what am i missing? Any 2 cents will help, and thanks in advance.

HardcorewannabeXJ · 01-16-2012, 03:12 PM

Are you talking about vacuum pumps for a material hold down table for a router?

pyrogeek · 01-16-2012, 03:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HardcorewannabeXJ

Are you talking about vacuum pumps for a material hold down table for a router?

yes sorrry, i can't spell.

S1036s · 01-16-2012, 04:04 PM

I have a couple that were used for fiberglass/ composite layups if your interested. Price difference is how long they are made to be on. Say you are trying to hold vacuum for 24 hrs, that harbor freight is going to burn up. Even ones at 5000 dollars burn up. There are also oil and oil less ones. Some need oil changed after one long cure time. These things get hot. Also, I have seen some that have there own cooling system, radiator and fan. I dont know how long it take to router something out, but look into the time span that these are made to run. Also the amount of vacuum they can pull, 30lbs is alot and even max for most pumps. That is all I really know.

PARANOID56 · 01-16-2012, 09:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by S1036s

I have a couple that were used for fiberglass/ composite layups if your interested. Price difference is how long they are made to be on. Say you are trying to hold vacuum for 24 hrs, that harbor freight is going to burn up. Even ones at 5000 dollars burn up. There are also oil and oil less ones. Some need oil changed after one long cure time. These things get hot. Also, I have seen some that have there own cooling system, radiator and fan. I dont know how long it take to router something out, but look into the time span that these are made to run. Also the amount of vacuum they can pull, 30lbs is alot and even max for most pumps. That is all I really know.

not sure about the OP but i know when i router for me my max time is usually 20 min. usually around 6 mins on my machine

lumberjack1986 · 01-16-2012, 10:11 PM

30psi of vacuum isn't possible on Earth.

How much does a router push? The bigger the piece being worked on, the lower the vacuum requirements. Figuring out how much force you need would likely be a good start, this certainly isn't my forte.

S1036s · 01-17-2012, 07:45 AM

I could of sworn I have seen 30psi, but that would be in gauge calibrations as well. I know that 28 is pretty good for bonding composites. These would be more then enough to hold the sheet.

lumberjack1986 · 01-17-2012, 07:59 AM

Vacuum pressure cannot exceed atmospheric pursue. Perhaps you're thinking inches of mercury as atmospheric pressure is 14psi, give or take.

Conrad_Turbo · 01-17-2012, 08:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lumberjack1986

Vacuum pressure cannot exceed atmospheric pursue. Perhaps you're thinking inches of mercury as atmospheric pressure is 14psi, give or take.

Unless it's a black hole generator, that's why they're so expensive!

S1036s · 01-17-2012, 09:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lumberjack1986

Vacuum pressure cannot exceed atmospheric pursue. Perhaps you're thinking inches of mercury as atmospheric pressure is 14psi, give or take.

Yes, sorry for the confusion

stealthshooter · 01-17-2012, 10:03 AM

If you want an amazing vacuum pump get a "Nash" pump. It's insane the vacuum they will pull. We have them at work anywhere from 1hp to 500hp. They are designed to run at full vacuum 24/7 they use water as a seal.

http://shop.mobileweb.ebay.com/searc...h+pump&x=0&y=0

metzindustries · 01-17-2012, 06:47 PM

There are the plastics thermoforming how to sites that detail using a shop vacuum for vacuum forming. Ill bet it would work as well as a vacuum table.

Course it will be really noisy.

01-16-2012, 02:13 PM	#1 (permalink)
pyrogeek Wheeler Join Date: Nov 2010 Member # 173323 Location: Garrett, IN Posts: 477	Why do vacume pumps cost so much? I was looking on the internet and I've found alot of them, anywhere from $10.00 on sale at Harbour Frieght to $15,000.00. Does anyone know why they can get so exspensive? I was looking at one, that i think would work for a 4'x4' table, and the specs said 56 CFM at 45 inches of water $800.00. 56 CFM isn't that much and 45 inches of water is less than 2 psi, I have found shop vacs with higher ratings than that. Shop vacs don't cost $800.00 dollars, so what am i missing? Any 2 cents will help, and thanks in advance.

01-17-2012, 07:59 AM	#8 (permalink)
lumberjack1986 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2008 Member # 116416 Location: Columbus, MS Posts: 471	Vacuum pressure cannot exceed atmospheric pursue. Perhaps you're thinking inches of mercury as atmospheric pressure is 14psi, give or take. Last edited by lumberjack1986; 01-17-2012 at 08:01 AM.

01-17-2012, 10:03 AM	#11 (permalink)
stealthshooter Registered User Join Date: Jan 2010 Member # 151733 Posts: 532	If you want an amazing vacuum pump get a "Nash" pump. It's insane the vacuum they will pull. We have them at work anywhere from 1hp to 500hp. They are designed to run at full vacuum 24/7 they use water as a seal. http://shop.mobileweb.ebay.com/searc...h+pump&x=0&y=0 Last edited by stealthshooter; 01-17-2012 at 10:08 AM.

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01-16-2012, 03:12 PM	#2 (permalink)
HardcorewannabeXJ Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Member # 84593 Location: Reno, NV Posts: 3,004	Are you talking about vacuum pumps for a material hold down table for a router?

01-16-2012, 04:04 PM	#4 (permalink)
S1036s Registered User Join Date: Dec 2006 Member # 83940 Posts: 173	I have a couple that were used for fiberglass/ composite layups if your interested. Price difference is how long they are made to be on. Say you are trying to hold vacuum for 24 hrs, that harbor freight is going to burn up. Even ones at 5000 dollars burn up. There are also oil and oil less ones. Some need oil changed after one long cure time. These things get hot. Also, I have seen some that have there own cooling system, radiator and fan. I dont know how long it take to router something out, but look into the time span that these are made to run. Also the amount of vacuum they can pull, 30lbs is alot and even max for most pumps. That is all I really know.

01-16-2012, 10:11 PM	#6 (permalink)
lumberjack1986 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2008 Member # 116416 Location: Columbus, MS Posts: 471	30psi of vacuum isn't possible on Earth. How much does a router push? The bigger the piece being worked on, the lower the vacuum requirements. Figuring out how much force you need would likely be a good start, this certainly isn't my forte.

01-17-2012, 07:45 AM	#7 (permalink)
S1036s Registered User Join Date: Dec 2006 Member # 83940 Posts: 173	I could of sworn I have seen 30psi, but that would be in gauge calibrations as well. I know that 28 is pretty good for bonding composites. These would be more then enough to hold the sheet.

01-17-2012, 06:47 PM	#12 (permalink)
metzindustries Registered User Join Date: Sep 2011 Member # 198946 Location: Antipolo City (Metro Manila) Philippines Posts: 270	There are the plastics thermoforming how to sites that detail using a shop vacuum for vacuum forming. Ill bet it would work as well as a vacuum table. Course it will be really noisy.