Vacuum for easel

Will S · Dec 24, 2006

I've got a new vacuum easel and I want to hook it up to my vacuum source, but I have to go from 1 1/8" ID to 1/4" ID. There don't seem to be any fittings made that do this at the hardware store. How do those of you with vacuum easels hook them up to just a regular vacuum that has a nozzle opening of an inch or so.

1 inch = 2.54 cm for non-Americans.

Thanks,

Will

keithwms · Dec 24, 2006

You can get a rubber stopper (remember chemistry lab!) to plug the large diam hole and then insert a piece of metal pipe of whatever outer diameter you want. Then you can use tygon flex hose or whatever to connect to the vacuum, but mind that it has to be fairly thick-walled flex hose or it will collapse in the vacuum.

Clueless · Dec 24, 2006

Vac fittings: step-down accessories

At Vac stores are pkg of misc fittings that are VERY useful for this and other adventures.

richard ide · Dec 24, 2006

It sounds like your vacuum easel uses low pressure, high volume. A 1/4" line may not have enough flow. You could try covering some of the holes or borrow a handy vacuum cleaner.

Will S · Dec 24, 2006

I'm hooking it up to a vacuum cleaner. Thanks for all of the ideas. I never thought to try a vacuum cleaner store! Failing that a rubber plug will certainly work.

I'm not sure who makes the easel I have, but it has these little switches on the sides that turn off various portions of the easel depending on what size ppaper you are using. At least, that is what I think they are for.

Thanks all!

Will

glbeas · Dec 24, 2006

If that fails to produce satisfactory results your board may have been derived from the back of a graphic arts camera which uses a 20 psi carbon vane pump. The switches on the side are a clue as these need to have a complete seal with the paper or film to work. Another clue is the quarter inch I.D. hose which is pretty standard with those types of setups. This could be described as a 'low volume high pressure' system, kinda the opposite of the way a large bore vacuum easel made for a vacuum cleaner pump works.

Will S · Dec 24, 2006

glbeas said:
If that fails to produce satisfactory results your board may have been derived from the back of a graphic arts camera which uses a 20 psi carbon vane pump. The switches on the side are a clue as these need to have a complete seal with the paper or film to work. Another clue is the quarter inch I.D. hose which is pretty standard with those types of setups. This could be described as a 'low volume high pressure' system, kinda the opposite of the way a large bore vacuum easel made for a vacuum cleaner pump works.

Ahh. OK, I guess I need to buy one of those $39 dollar vacuum motor things then.

Thanks,

Will

Peter De Smidt · Dec 24, 2006

Rubber plumbing quick connects, available at Home Depot and other places, can often be used successfully for this type of adventure. They're made of EPDM rubber, with a stainless steel hose clamp on each end, and they come in various sizes. I used Home Depot tubing with these clamps for my Bychrome vacuum easel. Try to keep the hose and vacuum from transmitting vibration to easel.

keithwms · Dec 25, 2006

I have a little pistol-grip pump, you squeeze it in your hand and it generates 15 psi vacuum with no electrical power, no oil... and no vibration.

McMaster Carr catalogue # 9963K21, about $85.

glbeas · Dec 25, 2006

Cool! Sounds just right for those vacuum film holders for view cameras.

Vacuum for easel

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