Building a Vacuum Hold Down

[kenkelsey]

Hi Guys: I've been doing a lot of reading on the forum and I'm ready to build my own vacuum hold down for my 4 by 8 Alpha. Bill Labedda (Pittsburgh) has been coaching me and we have been discussing low cost solutions. Bill uses two Fein vacs which are not low cost. I have been considering using two Rigid Shop Vacs from Home Depot, but many of you have advised that they won't last. I've looked at Gary Campbell's post using Lighthouse vacs, but the electronics scared me. Just looking for advice on a simple, low cost system. I have a break from my corporate job for the holidays and I'd like to get this up and running right after Christmas. I will post my bill of material for the job if there is interest. Using the Rigid Vacs, my cost is coming in just under $400 for a six port solution.

[Mark Owen]

Ken,
Heed the advice of those that have gone before. The lowest cost solution is either the Brady Vac 2 or Gary's BB.
I personally have just ordered 4 LH motors from Ward and will build the cabinet. There is no electronics if you go the manual route. Just wire a 240V switch to each bank of two motors. Gary's relay's were needed when he was trying to automate the second set of motors kicking in.
There is lots of experience on this forum. I would follow it.

Regards
Mark

[curtiss]

I do not use vacuum a lot... but I picked up a rebuilt vac motor they said was out of a car wash vacuum for $60.

Works fine on a 48x48. I would think a Lighthouse unit would be better though...

[David Iannone]

Ken,
I don't have a vacum table. But have been wanting to build one for a long time. When I get around to it I am going to make something like Donek Tools made:

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=fOrkvPF0pro

as a drop on box for my table and hook a shopvac to it. I just want to start off with something simple, then work my way up eventually to something bigger.

Dave

[shilala]

Ken, the problem with the Rigid shopvacs is that they won't provide the lift or cfm's you need to draw a vacuum that'll hold your material down as well as you want, if at all.
Lots of guys use a Fein. I have a Festool vac that pulls even better than the Fein and it works great, but I'm just running it on a small, removable table that I sit on my bot.

The Fein IS the low cost solution to the vac table.
Bang for the buck, the lighthouse solution is king.
So you're kind of up against it.
Don't be afraid of the wiring, it's not a big deal. It's very straight-forward. If you aren't comfortable with it, just ask for help.
It might not meet your time-frame hopes, but you can get a big leg up on the project during the holidays and have it completed soon.

[kenkelsey]

Thanks for all the replies. Looks like the Rigid Vacs are off the table. I will check out the Lighthouse solution. Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays to all.

[Tim Lucas]

Thanks for all the replies. Looks like the Rigid Vacs are off the table. I will check out the Lighthouse solution. Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays to all.

Hi Ken,
I just bought 2 of the lighthouse motors and am in the process of building my box and getting set up - from everything I have read they are the best choice - a shop vac cannot produce the CFM - just my thoughts
Tim