I have read through the posts and didn’t see any threads on this. Can anyone comment on the use of a shop vac for vacuum bagging a kiteboard? I have a 2hp shop vac. I have done some research and have read some opinions saying that it will work but the vacuum force is far lower than a regular vacuum pump. I have also read about converting tire pumps, air compressors and refrigerator pumps into vacuum pumps. Anybody have success bagging a kiteboard with a shop vac? I’m trying to avoid the $300 +/- cost of a regular pump. Thanks.

Steve

if going cheap, do the fridge compressor.
its the only real vacuum source (of the ones you mention) capable of getting respectable vacuum
7-10 psi vacuum (4 psia)

look up plans on joe-woodworker .com

buy one of their vacuum switches so you dont burn out the pump or the house.

that, plus a cheap resevoir out of pvc pipe and a few bits of wire and tubing and you are good to go.

bill

Hi Bill.
Got any links where one can understand the process and required tools fully ?
I would like to give this a try too and am pretty handy with my hands
Nico.

http://www.joewoodworker.com/veneering/welcome.htm

http://www.dream-models.com/eco/vacuumpump.html

the last link shows all the getto style bits and pieces, but joe woodworkers vacuum switch is much better/easier than the automotive distributer style.
to each his own but,
that's all there is to it.
-bill

Bill. It looks like I can pick up a used pump on ebay for roughly the same amount that I would invest in converting a fridge pump. Thanks for the input.

Steve

I've built lots of boards with a shop vac. Started out with a shop vac, got a fridge compressor, and then when it died I went back to the shop vac. Haven't got the new fridge compressor going yet.

If you are trying to really move a lot of resin then you need the high vac like a fridge compressor or better. If you want clamping force, then a shop vac is sufficient. Scroll down the index page to the link for the videos I posted on how to build a board. Using the technique I'm using there, I can't tell the difference in the end result for either type of pump. But, I didn't go for toally max vacuum with my fridge compressor anyway, I was not trying to dry the board out that much.

Peter

hi

what kind of shop vac woud be needed ? i mean at least what force ?

would like to try first board without spending money and time on a vacum pump !!