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Thread: vacuum easel pump suggestion

  1. #1

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    vacuum easel pump suggestion

    I finally own a vacuum easel thanks to a member here selling one. But now the search begins for a vacuum pump. Does anyone know how much PA of vacuum suction is needed assuming all intake slots are covered? Would an 6K-8K PA mini car vac have enough suction or do I need to be looking more along the lines of 15-20K PA. Also wondering if I could reverse the air flow of a pond air compressor which is much quieter than a vacuum cleaner.
    The magic you are looking for is in the work you are avoiding.
    http://www.searing.photography

  2. #2
    Tin Can's Avatar
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    Re: vacuum easel pump suggestion

    I have an oil less vacuum pump, misting oil in our DR may be a sad affair

    I also have a bleed valve and easy to see vacuum gauge
    Tin Can

  3. #3

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    Re: vacuum easel pump suggestion

    I use a full size Dustbane canister vacuum, not unlike any from the 1980's, and it is barely, not really, powerful enough for a 16x20 easel. Maybe my 1 1/2 inch tubing is too big but it is air tight.

  4. #4

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    Re: vacuum easel pump suggestion

    get a well balanced high static pressure computer fan.

  5. #5
    Drew Wiley
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    Re: vacuum easel pump suggestion

    Don't use a peristaltic pump of any kind, including a diaphragm pump - they can actually jiggle the easel surface a little. You want something rotary, but without too much suction. A simple cordless vacuum works well, but then you have to keep recharging the batteries, because they don't hold a charge for very long in that application. I have high quality miniature vacuum cleaner which I isolate noise from by keeping it in another room via a hose through the wall, remotely controlled. But another option I use is my smaller Festool vac - true Hepa, so no dust, distinctly quiet, and with built-in variable power. I also have an optional bleeder hose segment for it, if I need to reduce pressure even further. The only downside of those is that they're distinctly expensive (not in my case - I was a dealer). Never use a typical car or home vac within a darkroom unless that's the only place you use it, completely clean. Just having a so-called Hepa filter inside it does not constitute a real Hepa vac. Fine dust still has ways to get around the filter itself. The real deal is specially sealed throughout, and will even be anti-static in cases like mine - nice for darkroom cleanup too, without worrying about dust getting spread around.
    The biggest problem is that my wife likes borrowing my smaller Festool vac for the house - it picks up everything an ordinary vacuum won't.

  6. #6
    Gary Beasley's Avatar
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    Re: vacuum easel pump suggestion

    I always ran my vacuum cleaner pump for my vacuum easel outside the darkroom with a switch on the enlarger table wired to turn it on and off. Still got the old vacuum if you want it, sold the easel last year.

  7. #7

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    Re: vacuum easel pump suggestion

    Quote Originally Posted by maltfalc View Post
    get a well balanced high static pressure computer fan.
    What would one use for a housing? The easel has a 1.5' tube for the suction port.
    The magic you are looking for is in the work you are avoiding.
    http://www.searing.photography

  8. #8

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    Re: vacuum easel pump suggestion

    Quote Originally Posted by Gary Beasley View Post
    I always ran my vacuum cleaner pump for my vacuum easel outside the darkroom with a switch on the enlarger table wired to turn it on and off. Still got the old vacuum if you want it, sold the easel last year.
    Yeah I have a small shop vac but the noise is extreme and it would have to be in another room for the exhaust . Just need to figure out how much air flow is needed.
    The magic you are looking for is in the work you are avoiding.
    http://www.searing.photography

  9. #9

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    Re: vacuum easel pump suggestion

    Quote Originally Posted by esearing View Post
    What would one use for a housing? The easel has a 1.5' tube for the suction port.
    any little container you can easily cut holes in with at least one flat side.

  10. #10
    Paul Ron's Avatar
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    Re: vacuum easel pump suggestion

    put your pump on a slab of Styrofoam to dampen the noise and vibrations.

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