Now that I have introduced myself onthe forum (Intro Here), I would like to ask a few questions about buildingmy kit of goods.

The issue for me is primarily that I amin the United States, and all of the good instruction videos I haveseen, and write-ups I have read seem to come from one of two UK basedcompanies (easycomposits and CarbonMods). Now I am a firm believer inwhat we call “dance with the one that brought you.” As,easycomposits has introduced me to this new hobby, and even has aseries of free tutorials on youtube, I am inclined to stick with themas much as possible.

This brings me to the problem of beingin the United States.... The shipping fees (when added to the carttotal) end up being 1/3 of the total cost. That is quite a highsurcharge, but I am willing to pay it for quality goods.

However, I can get a vacuum pump andresin catch can far cheaper locally (both equipment price and lack ofover-seas shipping fees). Many of the disposables (Bread Wrap,Infusion Mesh, PeelPly, Tubing, etc...) seem to come out in the washas many places in the US I have found are more expensive for the rawgoods, I still have to pay shipping and taxes; and the shipping ofthose goods are not that bad from the UK. It only gets expensive whenordering resin, gelcoat, coupling coat, etc... as they weigh quite abit and there is the Hazardous Shipment fees. Again, for a qualityproduct I am willing to spend the extra as this is a hobby (I hope toaugment the cost by selling some of my extras) and not a business inwhich I need to count pennies.

So, it looks like what I will need topurchase locally would be the vacuum pump and resin catch can. I havealready sourced these, but I am unsure as to what vacuum pump Ishould purchase. They offer 3CFM (Single and Dual Stage), 4CFM(Single Stage), 5CFM (Single Stage), 7CFM (Single and Dual Stage),9CFM (Dual Stage) and 12CFM (Dual Stage) options, with the cheapestat $99 and the most expensive at $325.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

-Ray