How does my altitude affect the maximum vacuum level of this pump?
There is a loss of approximately 1" of Hg for every 1,000 feet above sea level. For example, at 5,000 feet above sea level the most vacuum this pump will create is 20.5" of Hg. The generally accepted minimum for vacuum pressing a veneer is 17" of Hg.

Is this pump suitable for running continuously?
Yes! The manufacturer estimates the life of the pump at 7,000 hours until servicing is needed. Though we have been offering these pumps for many years, we've only shipped a few replacement parts. This vacuum pump has been exceptionally reliable and durable.

Will this unit restart if there is already vacuum against the pump?
The pump will not restart if power is temporarily removed and there is any amount of vacuum still held against it. You must release vacuum from the pump before turning it on again. Failure to do this will cause the pump to stall and over-heat which can result in permanent pump damage that is not covered by the warranty.

Are replacement parts available for this pump?
We now stock a variety of affordable replacement parts including piston cups, cylinder sleeves, valve plates, and heads. Though we have been offering these pumps for many years, we've only shipped a few replacement parts. This vacuum pump has been exceptionally reliable and durable.

Can I use this pump with epoxy?
This pump is not explicitly designed for use with epoxy and similar adhesive types unless an intake filter is used that can trap airborne particulates and prevent gumming in the system. We do not offer this filter nor can we suggest where to find one. Some users have reported that off-gassing is not a concern with today's types of epoxy but I have no clear evidence to support this.

Why can't I use epoxy with this pump?
I'm not saying you can't. The pump is not designed for use with epoxy. You can try and it might be fine. Or off-gassing from the epoxy could gum-up the piston in the pump and ruin it which would not be covered by the warranty.

Can I use this vacuum pump to generate compressed air?
This pump is designed to create vacuum, but I have heard from people who bought it for pond aeration and they had no issues.

Can this pump be used for vacuum chucking?
There is no safe way to answer this question. More information needs to be provided. You would need to know three things...

1. What is the surface area where the chuck attaches to the project?
2. Is the project material porous? (some species of wood are very porous)
3. How much weight will be held on the chuck at turning speed?

With these bits of information, you can calculate a number that will help you determine if the pump is safe to use for chucking. Continue on to the next question.

How much clamping force will the pump create for vacuum chucking?
This is based on a calculation using the maximum sustainable vacuum level and the surface area where the project is attached to the chuck. A smaller attachment area means less clamping/chucking force. A large industrial pump capable of pulling a very high vacuum may not be suitable for chucking if the vacuum surface area of the project is small. You have to calculate the vacuum surface area on your project first. Then determine what amount of vacuum you are capable of applying to the project. With this information, you can determine the total clamping force on the project and consider whether or not it is enough to safely hold your project while it is being turned. Here is the method for calculating the clamping force.

1. Determine the surface area of the vacuum attachment point. In most cases, the vacuum chuck will be circular so use Pi (roughly 3.14) to determine this number. The formula starts by taking the diameter and dividing by two. This gives you the radius. Then multiply the radius by 3.14 and then multiply it again by the radius. Let's use a chuck diameter of 6" and determine the surface area. Divide 6 by 2. That makes 3 so then multiply 3 times 3.14 (Pi), then multiply that again by 3.
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   6 ÷ 2 = 3
   3 x 3.14 = 9.42
   3 x 9.42 = 28.26
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   So here we have 28.26 square inches in a 6" diameter chucking surface.
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2. Determine the maximum sustainable vacuum level that you can reach with your project piece attached to the vacuum chuck simply by placing it on the chuck and turning on your vacuum pump. A non-porous material that is chucked to your lathe will typically achieve the same level of maximum vacuum that your pump is capable of achieving. In other words, the project material itself allows no loss of vacuum therefor the pump will achieve its best available vacuum.
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   In the following example let's assume that the project material is non-porous and that the pump can generate 25" of Hg. For every inch of Hg vacuum, you get .49 lbs per square inch of pressure. Multiply .49 by the vacuum level that the pump can create.
   
   .49 x 25 = 12.25 (this is how much pressure in pounds that you are getting per square inch)
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3. Multiply 28.26 x 12.25 to get 346.19 lbs of force holding your project to the lathe.
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4. Now only you can decide if that is enough chucking force to safely hold your project.

What if the chucking project is porous? How do I determine if this pump is suitable?
Unfortunately, there is no way to determine this without actually placing the project on a vacuum chuck. You would need to determine the actual maximum sustainable vacuum and this will vary across each project you try out depending on the size and porosity of the material.

What pump do you recommend for vacuum chucking?
I can only suggest one thing... the bigger, the better. Several of our customers are using 3 CFM vacuum sources for chucking but most are opting for 5 CFM vacuum sources.

What is weight and dimensions of the pump?
This pump weighs 10.2 lbs. The approximate measurements are 6.25"L x 6"W x 7.75"H.