vacuum chamber parts list

[Lownslow]

anyone have a parts list for one aside a vacuum pump i wanna try building my own

[charlie8575]

There are several ways to do this.

If you're looking for a vacuum former....

Go to Radio Shack and get what's called an experiement box. This is a small box, open on one side, with a back that looks somewhat like a pegboard.

You'll need a industrial vacuum cleaner, such as a Shop-Vac. On one end of the box, cut a hole that is the diameter of your vacuum hose.

Take a piece of 3/8" thick plywood and adhere the experiment box to the plywood open side down. I would recommend using RTV or silicone to glue it on.

When you're ready to form, put the vacuum hose into the box, put some gel silicone around the hose/inlet, and allow it to harden (a few minutes,) and once it's dried, turn the vacuum on, place the master on the box, and the softened plastic sheet over the master, and the vacuum will suck the plastic down and around the master. Use a a basswood or thin plywood frame to hold the plastic, and soften it in the oven at about 175-200 degrees. It should only take a couple of minutes.

The silicone around the vacuum hose can be removed with a utility knife and simply peeled off, as it doesn't stick well to plastic, but will provide a good, tight seal.

If you're looking make an enclosed chamber for something like plating....

Using Plexiglass, cut the sheets to the desired size. Glue the four sides and top together with silicone weather-stripping adhesive, and allow to dry THOROUGHLY.

Cut a hole in the box, as described above.

Place the object (s) to be plated on another piece of Plexiglass slightly larger than the external dimensions of your box. Seal the box to the base with silicone.

Insert the vacuum cleaner as described above.

Perform whatever operation you have in mind, disassemble the box from the base, remove the vacuum hose as described above.

Charlie Larkin

[Gregg]

Jairus did a wonderful article on vacuum forming a few years ago.

I will see if I can find a PDF of it.

[ra7c7er]

Jairus did a wonderful article on vacuum forming a few years ago.

I will see if I can find a PDF of it.

If can find it I am interested also.

[Mike Kucaba]

anyone have a parts list for one aside a vacuum pump i wanna try building my own

Check the alumilite web site and you'll get an idea. The biggest cost is 1" thick lexan for the cover.If you keep the diameter small,you can use 3/4",but it's still costly.

[Lownslow]

Check the alumilite web site and you'll get an idea. The biggest cost is 1" thick lexan for the cover.If you keep the diameter small,you can use 3/4",but it's still costly.

i was told no thicker than half inch for a 6 inch chamber i found plans for a manual brake bleeder pump that my buddy uses and it works for him with no problems im gonna go that route till i find the need for a 8 inch chamber

[Mike Kucaba]

That should work. You really don't have to de-air large amounts of RTV anyway. I saw a vacuum chamber made from a large pickle jar a few years ago.

[Lunajammer]

I went to the local pipe fitting supplier and they cut me scrap sewage and drainage pipes for free. I think I had a 12-inch and about a 6-inch. The smaller (but taller) one I use for degassing the RTV and resin before pouring into the molds. Then I degass the final pour in the 12-inch. I cut seal rings from thin but dense foam. I've been doing okay using thick plexi but I don't think it's 1-inch.

[Gregg]

Here is the PDF from Jairus' article.

Vacuum.pdf

[Lownslow]

That should work. You really don't have to de-air large amounts of RTV anyway. I saw a vacuum chamber made from a large pickle jar a few years ago.

this is what i copped the top isnt thick but should i break it i have some 3/4 plexy i can use, his is all clear other than that no differences between the two. he got his up to 35hg with no cracking or damage.