Talk Composites - The Forum for Advanced Composites

Standard vs. High Capacity Vacuum Pump

http://www.talkcomposites.com/Topic4308.aspx

By CompositeSeb - 1/17/2013 7:36:25 PM

I've been reading topics on this very good forum and am ready to order. Something's stopping me though: I can't seem to decide between the two vacuum pump that EC proposes.
It looks like the standard pump is perfectly fine for infusion and most applications such as degasing RTV (that would be 90 to 95% of my use). But in some cases it might limitate me, for example for degasing more reactive resins.
I won't do big boats or parts. Most of my work will be from small to let's say maximum 2 sq meters carbon pieces.

I can afford the high capacity pump but if an application requires me to let it turn continuously for 15 hours then it seems like the electrical bill might be significantly higher than with the standard pump. 745W vs 185W. Or maybe it doesn't really matter and the difference should be simply increasing client's price accordingly.

Would be nice to know other users experiences. Leaning toward the high capacity pump right now. Maybe there are some uses where it makes a big (positive) difference that I haven't thought about yet.

Thanks

Seb
By fgayford - 3/23/2013 2:30:15 AM

A painters pressure pot works great for casting and is safe. They are rated and have a relief safety valve. You can go to up to 50 PSI on some of them.

Fred