Thread: vacuum chamber

Originally Posted by 10Pups

Just a thought here but what about using pvc pipe as a chamber ? You don't have to watch the process do you ? Threaded cap on 1 end,a tee for a valve and vacuum hook up, and if you made it specific for the job it would cut down on the amount of juice needed ? Sorry I didn't watch the vids and just a brain fart here.

the problem with PVC is brittle failure. it may be able to handle the pressure under perfect conditions but a knock or bump under pressure can set it off then it shatters into sharp bits which go flying. better to use a plastic with a more forgiving failure mode like abs.

All good points,seems like thick wall Plexi is the material of choice.

Kennedycustomcalls (source for --90) uses plastic pipe for manifolds (multiple chambers, same vacuum source) and for overflow chambers. Check out his website - kennedycustomcalls.com.
I want to be able to see what is going on in the chamber, so I will go with glass. The amount of liquid has to completely cover the wood as it is absorbed, and I want to be able to monitor if the foam is getting too close to the line to the pump. Pixel, I'd suggest you include a separate overflow chamber in your Mason jar setup. Could be a one quart mason jar, with a couple inches of water in the bottom. The incoming line should extend under the water, and the outgoing line to the pump be at the top of the jar - this info comes from Geezer, who worked with vacuum chambers in his work life.
Really enjoying this thread. Good luck, everyone. I will have my setup working in July.

I also think the visual is important,the bubbling in my test pces lasted about an hr (you have to see it) slowley let down the vac and the fluid level dropped about an 1/8 inch proving that the wood fibers had taken in the poly.
Now will wait a few days and cut them apart to see what we shall see,The process really darkens the wood which to me is a good thing.

Still dinking around with this,I made a system like Glens,The woods were 1.5 x 1in. rounds,Bubinga,Gabon Ebony,Malaysian Blackwood.
Wgt ea pce before the process and after two days in the hot sun,105 degs.each pce took in about one Gm. of wipe on poly.
Since the wood fibers are microscopic in nature,is 1 Gm alot?? No clue.
I turned a half in. off ea pce,They deff turn differant,no chips, just very fine sawdust.
To be honest,am not sure what I Did,but the wood is without question differant.