I already own a vacuum pump or found a used one. Will it work with this kit?
Please see this link.

Where can I find more questions and answers about this kit?
The JoeWoodworker Vacuum Press F.A.Q. answers more than 80 common questions about this vacuum press kit.

Can I use a vacuum press for clamping boards together face to face?
At sea level, a typical vacuum press can put down the equivalent of 1,750 lbs of pressure per square foot. If the boards are flat, then this is generally considered more than adequate for a project where two sheet materials such as plywood or MDF are being glued together face to face. This also is true for gluing solid wood boards together.

Will a rotary vane vacuum pump work with the EVS kit?
No. Rotary vane vacuum pumps such as the Gast 1023, 0522, and 0523 vacuum pumps have been a nightmare. I have found them difficult to fine tune for vacuum pressing, and they draw a tremendous amount of power when they start up. There are much better choices in vacuum pumps than rotary vane. I am well aware that several other companies are using rotary vane pumps for their vacuum press systems.

If you are using a rotary vane pump, you will at least need the relay and vacuum damper parts along with your EVS kit. I offer ZERO support for troubleshooting vacuum press systems built with rotary vane pumps. If you try to use this kit with a rotary vane pump, please know that I will not be able to help you troubleshoot problems. You waive your right to return this kit if you are using it with a rotary vane pump.

What does the optional vacuum damper do?
The vacuum damper is a brass fitting that attaches to the vacuum controller to prevent it from sputtering on and off at the end of a charge cycle. It simply restricts the flow of vacuum to the vacuum controller sensor. It's a good idea to add the damper if your vacuum pump pulls more than 4 CFM.

Can I use an oil-filled pump like the ones on Amazon and Harbor Freight?
Oil-bath pumps (typically used for refrigerant systems) can be problematic. Those types of pumps have a tendency to emit a plume of oil mist into the air. For most users, this can be a huge issue that causes problems with the finish that is applied to the veneered project or any other unfinished project in the vicinity of the pump.

Which vacuum controller comes with this kit?
We offer two versions of the vacuum controller when sold separately, but the kit always comes with the "type 1" version, which is adjustable to 28" of Hg. The EVS kit can only be ordered with the type 1 vacuum controller.

Why don't you include the kit instructions with the kit?
It would be too wasteful to print copies of the instructions. Most people have already printed a copy of the instructions before they order... something I highly recommend.

Will this system have enough force to bend strips of wood so I can make bent laminations?
This is a difficult question to answer because it depends on many factors such as thickness, species and grain direction. It will also depend on the radius and complexity of the curves that are being used on the project. A vacuum pump that generates 25" of Hg at sea level can create up to 1,750 lbs of clamping pressure per square foot. You will need to decide if that is enough for your bending project.

Why does my system require me to tap on the vacuum controller to make it cycle off?
The issue is not caused by the vacuum controller. It is the effect from another problem. There are two typical scenarios where this happens.

1. Carbon will build on the switch contacts inside the vacuum controller if the pump is drawing more amps at start up than the 10 amps that the vacuum controller can handle. This causes the contacts to stick. The solution is to use a relay to do the high-current switching. You'd also have to get a new vacuum controller, but you will not likely have this problem again once this change is made.

2. The vacuum pump is being "asked" by the vacuum controller to deliver a higher vacuum than the pump can offer. In this case, the vacuum source (either a vacuum pump or a venturi) typically has some sort of issue which is preventing it from achieving full vacuum. It may be able to achieve slightly less vacuum than what the controller is asking in order for it to switch off the system.

• For a vacuum pump, the most common cause is a clogged exhaust muffler. If your pump has a bronze muffler with hundreds of tiny metal "beads", then simply remove it and soak it in denatured alcohol or lacquer thinner and then blow it out with compressed air.
   
  
• For a venturi (assuming that the air compressor is delivering enough air) the most common cause is debris caught inside the mesh screen at the intake port of the air valve. Simply remove the compressed air fitting from the intake port of the air valve and clean the screen inside.