After a couple months of research, building, and testing a vacuum table (whose purpose is light production work of cutting MDF and Aluminum panels). I have ironed out most of the details and can produce work consistently. The pump being used is a two stage rotary vane pump. The build quality is poor, and yesterday it started leaking and pumping oil vapor into the air.
So I am looking for a replacement that can run continuously and pull at least 20Hg. What are people using on their tabletop CNC’s? Regenerative blowers? Rotary vane?
If I’m not able to return/ have it replaced, I’ll have it rebuilt and used for something else. I’m looking for a more robust pump that can obtain greater maximum vacuum.
My understanding is that small amounts of oil mist from a rotary vane pump is normal. Isn’t that why oil mist filters are added?
I use a similar pump on my vacuum table, at least it looks nearly identical, although mine is single stage and even cheaper. I use it heavily, but I’ve never run it for more than about 8 hours at a time, so I can’t vouch for its continuous duty cycle claim.
Of course, if I could afford it, I’d rather have the Gast. I’ve just never had problems that forced me to investigate more reliable options than the cheap-o unit I have.