My opinion. Get a vacuum pump based system, not a shop vac based. They both will work, shop vac is cheaper. Google it , youtube it. There is a lot to know about it.
I'm probly going to let you down but, I swear I won't keep you down. John Hiatt
I have a Fe$tool VAC-SYS (hooked on the concept) and a Grabo (with Izzy Swan's suction base attachment) that could be adapted into a vaccum pump, and very interested in creating/extending my air vac functionality to small items... generally 75mm to 200mm pieces (square/diameter)...
Any contributing comments would be greatly appreciated as this is way above my paygrade.
If your first cut is too short... Take the second cut from the longer end... LBD
I guess I should have been more specific. I am looking at getting one for my lathe. I appreciate your input though Duck. Maybe I should look into what you have as well. I can imagine it comes in handy often.
I appreciate your lathe intentions Bucky... I deliberately ignored that concept as I don't turn bowls for which I can see it being useful.
However with my recent experience with vacuum systems (Fe$tool VAC-SYS and Grabo) for holding wood, I'm very interested in smaller holding capacity.
I often sand small pieces on an upside down clamped ROS and since my dodgy left arm incident, holding onto small pieces nearly always culminates with me crawling on the floor trying to find that bloody IFO's (Identified Flying Objects). A small diameter vacuum cup could be of assistance.
At least this thread started to make me read (UGH!) on the topic and make inquiries.
If your first cut is too short... Take the second cut from the longer end... LBD
I use the Hold Fast system and like it very much. It’s a Venturi system, so you need to have a compressor…a larger one will run less often. Mine runs very infrequently. Just finished removing the tenon and shaping the foot of a bowl. I was in no hurry to get it done, but I didn’t specifically drag…I don’t know that I heard the compressor (60 gallon) run more than once. Anyway, I’m very happy with it.
That said, I believe it can be used, with out the Venturi, using a vacuum pump too…
Ryan/// ~sigh~ I blew up another bowl. Moke told me "I made the inside bigger than the outside".
I decide to try this https://www.packardwoodworks.com/110934.html I actually ordered the wrong size thread for my lathe but I gave them a call and talked to Brad and he is taking care of switching it out for the correct size. Luckily it hadn’t shipped yet!
Buck, you might be aware of this already, but vacuum holding power is greatly increased by the diameter of the chuck. I use the 3 1/2” somewhat regularly since I do mostly small stuff, and it works fine, but I’ve had it come loose on me a couple times when I pushed a bit hard. The 6” on the other hand, is like a steel vise. I wanna say it’s maybe 3x the holding force? Just something to be aware of, if you’re not already.
Ryan/// ~sigh~ I blew up another bowl. Moke told me "I made the inside bigger than the outside".
Gents (and members), what I'm trying to do is this setup, for small parts... I have the vacuum covered, I just need to figure out (emails) of how to attach using my fittings (nitto tupe). With my dodgy left arm it is hard to hold onto the small thin pieces without sanding the finger tips red.
Haven't tried double sided tape yet as if this can be set up it'd be much more versatile.
