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I tried searching, but I'm having a hard time finding results (poor search skills, I'm sure). Could folks who are using a vacuum system for gluing bridges tell me what type/brand of vacuum pump they are using?
Much appreciated...
Ken

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Ken Mitchell
Durham, NC

I use a Gast model DAA-V155-EB either stand alone or mounted to a Joe Woodworker tank/cycling switch contraption. Same rig I use for CNC hold downs and vacuum bagging. I bought it surplus off of Ebay for about a hundred bucks many years ago.

Dave

+1 for Gast oiless

I also use a Gast pump. You can find them used for a decent price. I bought the one I have from the classifieds here on the OLF.


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Since I own a largish compressor already I made a Venturi style setup using this kit

https://www.veneersupplies.com/products ... s-Kit.html

It has served me well for over 10yrs now.

M

I picked up a refurbished Thomas pump from Joe Woodworker about 5 years ago and it works great. 3.15 CFM. I prefer to use it in continuous run.


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Another Gast user here, about 3 cfm. I also use it a continuous fashion. That is no reserve tank.

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Jim Watts
http://jameswattsguitars.com

My continuous-duty vacuum pump is as basic as they come; I bought it from Aerospace Composite Products some years ago.

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Peter Havriluk

Would a basic Harbor Freight AC style pump do the job?

https://www.harborfreight.com/25-cfm-va ... _2EALw_wcB

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Ken Mitchell
Durham, NC

Ken, I used something like that for awhile and the problem with them is that they are not meant to be used in a continuous fashion. After about 20 minutes you start getting oil smoke coming out of it.

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-Marcus
http://www.bailieguitars.com
Instagram | YouTube

Something more like this?

https://www.ebay.com/itm/134433448292?_ ... 101224.m-1

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Ken Mitchell
Durham, NC

Yep, that’s pretty close to the same as what I’m using. Works great!


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You don’t need a two-stage pump. Any of the Gast or Dayton single stage diaphragm pumps ought to work fine. I bought one off of Ebay and used it for several years before I bought a new diaphragm pump from Joe Woodworker. The reduction in noise with the new one meant I could stay in the shop and do other things while it was running. He doesn’t seem to have them anymore. You need one rated continuous duty. You don’t need to build a reservoir. For clamping bridges or hold a guitar in a fixture while you work, a small (1.something cfm) pump will be fine.

There’s a guy on ebay who buys all of the reasonably priced pumps and keeps the prices up on the bidding. After he bought my old one, I called him to ask why he was buying so many. He has a business reloading ammunition. He keeps many spare pumps so he can just keep going when a pump fails. At least, that was his story.