Re: [TCML] Vacuum Pump Question

[jhowson4@xxxxxxxxxxx]

Hello David, 

I have tinkered with both the little food saved pump and the air conditioner pump back in the day when i was messing with a farnsworth fusor, both are very leaky. Very might be an understatment. I mean, really really really stinkin leaky. 
The issue is that those are single vane pumps while most of the ones you need to get down to the torr to mtorr range are rotary vane pumps. 

I ended up buying one of those cheapo Chinese HVAC pumps off of eBay. Cost 200+ shipping new I believe. If you care careful and really lucky you can get one that gets you to about10mtorr. ( Definitly worth the investment ). I think I clocked mine in at about 15mtorr, but i would have to go home and look to be able to tell you. most HVAC pumps are good for 30mtorr so 15 is excellent. 
Granted its still crap compared to the good scientific pumps but it has served me well for 5 or 6 years and it sure beats trying to jury rig something every time I want a little vacuum. 

So for your laser, I dont know if those pumps will get you to a single torr, I am betting on probably not. 

You should also invest in a nice needle valve. You life will be easier when making your laser. 

In either case check for both on ebay. Make sure the auction is in good condition, and says rotary 2-vane, and HIGH vacuum pump. or some veriation of that. 

Hope this helps you 



Thanks, 
John "Jay" Howson IV 


"Why thank you, I will be happy to take those electrons off you hands." 

----- Original Message -----
From: "Harold Weiss" <hweiss@xxxxxxxxxx> 
To: "Tesla Coil Mailing List" <tesla@xxxxxxxxxx> 
Sent: Friday, October 7, 2011 11:41:28 PM 
Subject: [TCML] Vacuum Pump Question 

Hi All, 

This is a little off topic, but applies to Geisler/neon/laser tubes. 

Has anyone used, or tried to use, a vacuum pump out of a Food Saver for pumping down to around a torr or less, or is it too leaky for that kind of vacuum? 

In this case, I'd like to use it for a small low flow CO2 laser. I'd also like to try using it for some of Tesla's lighting experiments once I get better at glass blowing. 

I do have a pump out of an air conditioner if this won't work. 

David Weiss 
_______________________________________________ 
Tesla mailing list 
Tesla@xxxxxxxxxx 
http://www.pupman.com/mailman/listinfo/tesla 
_______________________________________________
Tesla mailing list
Tesla@xxxxxxxxxx
http://www.pupman.com/mailman/listinfo/tesla