Vacuum Casting Equipment

[Staffan Blomqvist]

As I've mentioned on an earlier thread I'm in the process of building my own casting setup. The plan is to build a small chamber that can be used both for vacuuming molds and pressure casting. The chamber is being constructed from an old compressor tank.

Getting pressure in the chamber is no problem, I'll just hook it up to my compressor. But what do I use to get a vacuum in the tank? I guess I need some kind of vacuum pump, but where can I get one?

Any and all answers greatly appreciated!

/staffan

 

[MSzwarc]

Staffan,

Alternative Studios article on vacuum chambers lists these suppliers:

Grainger Industrial Supply
www.GRAINGER.com

Fisher Scientific
3700 James Savage Rd.
Midland, MI 48640
(517)496-2250

Ace Glass, Inc.
Box 688
1430 Northwest Blvd.
Vineland, NJ 08360
(609)692-3333

Gast Mfg. Co.
Box 97
Benton Harbor, MI 49022
(616)926-6171

VWR Scientific
Box 66929
O'Hare AMF
Chicago, IL 60666
(800)932-5000

Mike Szwarc

 

[MSzwarc]

Staffan,

Sorry, I just noticed that you're in Sweden . Still, some of the above suppliers may have distributors there. Also, I noticed that American Science and Surplus is listing a vacuum pump/compressor for sale (stock #25255, $79.50, listed as "30 PSI Air Pump). Their stock changes all the time, and I have occassionally seen vacuum pumps listed there.

Mike Szwarc

 

[JohnLea]

Sometimes you can use the other side of the compressor (Air intake side) as a vacuum. Another option is a venturi valve that would run off the compressor.

 

[Staffan Blomqvist]

Mike & John,

Thanks for the info!

At first I was planning on using the other side of my compressor. But the since the compressor cylinder is oil-filled and the compressor draws air directly into the cylinder I realized that when the pressure sinks the oil will probably get sucked into the vacuum chamber ...

The venturi valve sounds like a good idea, I think I´ll try that option first. Now I just have to figure out what a venturi valve is called in swedish

/staffan

 

[quang]

'Venturi ventil' ? :lol:

Quang

 

[Staffan Blomqvist]

Thanks for the link Jason!

/staffan

 

[Aeronaudts]

Other images for vacuum tutorials
construction of limps 01
construction of limps 02
preparation
Silicon preparationrelease from the mould
release from the mould 02
resin casting
pressure pot casting

 

[quang]

GREAT STUFF, Aeronaudts



Quang

 

[Staffan Blomqvist]

aeronaudt, thanks!

Very useful pictures!

/staffan