cutting kevlar .... lay-up and vacuum bagging

yeah they are still in bussness was talking to them today there website was down

 

What is a good value vacuum pump, to handle a 40 sq foot area? I am using a venturi type off the compressor that is running way too much? If a larger area had to be bagged could you simply plumb in a second vacuum pump?

 

I make a point of always using at least two pumps, on separate ports and separate hoses, no matter how big the part. And I run them constantly (although since I usually work with prepreg, maintaining high vacuum is somewhat more critical than with wet-lay where a slight loss of vacuum won't matter much). You never know when a belt will snap or a valve seize up. My favourite of our 4 is an ancient Cenco that dates back to at least 1960 and has never failed us.

 

I would always prefer an electric pump over a compressor operated venturi.The principal reason is that the relative quietness of the electric pump makes it easier to listen for leaks.If you manage to find the hardware,it is quite possible to use a vacuum tank and limit switches to build a system that cuts out when the vacuum is above the pre-set level.This saves on running costs,wear and tear on the machinery and gives a quieter working environment.

 

Any suggestions as to the type of pump I should be after, 40 sq ft. max area to bag? Would like to keep the price reasonable.

 

get a vaccum gauge and a presure pot the type that u would use for spray painting, put the gauge on the tank, instead of compressed air u will be making a vacum with the pot, run your vacum line to the pot u could use more then one , a venturi will work fine , what u do is create the vacum the gauge will tell show u the strenght of the vacum when u have reached the right level simply bend the vacum line near the venturi pump , if ur bag is well sealed the vacum should hold and u can turn the compressor off, use a stheascope sorry my spelling is wrong ( to much styrenne to day) to cheack all the seals for leaks if u have any seal them with bagging tape, also with the presure pot place a old coffee or paint can inside this way any excess resin will be easy to throw out. i have a bosch vacum pump at work we payed $3,500 for it most of the time i use a west system venturi to lazy to lift the pump out of the cabnet

 

Great info, plus you answered what would have been my next question ....... resin trap. The can in the bottom of the presure pot which has been converted to a vacuum pot will certainly catch the excess resin. Will give your set-up a go, plus you saved me a bunch on the vacuum pump ....... thanks!!!!!!

 

If you are looking for vacuum bags, vacuum screen or pumps check out vacupress.com. I have a lot of their equipment and love all of it. Service and product are excellent. We vacuum bag everything we can because it works so well.

 

Material Suppliers and Learning to Build

I will put together a list of web links to all things relating to vacuum bagging and resin infusion. So post all links, plus any photos, videos and text that will assist in learning bagging techniques and finding the necessary supplies. Will do a weekly update.

 

Hi wet-foot,
I am really interested in vacuum bagging info. That will be a great resource when you post the info!
I'm getting tired of doing hand lay-ups and wasting so much material.
Thanks alot!
glassr

 

Kevlar? We use electric cutters both straight and round knife depending on the weave, with no problem on a urethane finished MDF cutting table.

 

the problem Steve is the MDF, that chit causes more dust than a sandstorm when ya cut it.

 

My glass cutting table top 1" MDF is on a dead straight steel frame (5'x40')and has been 400 sanded in between 6 coats of urethane no dust left.

 

Info and Supplies

Here's a rough guide to vacuum bagging and resin infusion supplies and tehch tips; Send related links and I'll update ever so often ....... " MAYBE"

http://airtechonline.com/
http://www.atlcomposites.com/products/resin infusion/index.htm
http://www.ase.uc.edu/mmccs/infusion.html
https://www.airtechonline.com/htm/defaultnetscape.htm

http://www.boatbuildercentral.com/
http://www.boardlady.com/vacuumbagging.htm
http://www.berkut13.com/sucker.htm
http://www.berkut13.com/berkut.htm

http://www.cata-lagoon.com/ch_techno1_uk.php
http://www.compositesatlantic.com/technology.html

http://www.duratec1.com/
http://www.angelfire.com/nc3/davecarnell/epoxy.html

http://www.fram.nl/
http://www.fiberglasssupply.com/
http://www.frpsolutions.com/
http://www.fibreglast.com/contentpages-Vacuum Infusion-316.html
http://www.fibreglast.com/showproducts-category-Vacuum Infusion-20.html#334
http://www.fibreglast.com/documents/361.pdf
http://www.fibertecheng.com/vartm.htm
http://www.favonius.com/soaring/bagging/bagging.htm
http://www.fiberlay.com/
http://www.favonius.com/soaring/bagging/bagging.htm

http://www.gurit.com/MarineSportCivilEngineering_en.html
http://www.grpguru.com/vipupdate.asp

http://home.houston.rr.com/pieceofwork/index.htm
http://home.houston.rr.com/pieceofwork/Resin Infusion version 4.htm

http://www.imtek.com.tr/webuk/industrial.html
http://webhome.idirect.com/~edd/smith.html

http://jaeberly.com/id38.html
http://jaeberly.com/ECCutterAction.mpeg

http://www.kelsall.com/images/pdf/L8_The_Resin_Infusion_Story.pdf
http://www.kelsall.com/methods4.html

http://www.marfas.com/
http://www.marineware.com/
http://www.masepoxies.com/index.htm

http://www.nextcraft.com/vacuum_bagging_01.html
http://www.noahsboatbuilding.com/
http://www.netcomposites.com/education.asp?sequence=59

http://www.prosetepoxy.com/
http://www.polyworx.com/
http://www.pilotsguide.com/rc/vacbag.shtml

http://www.rayplex.com
http://www.resininfusion.com/

http://www.sayerdesign.com/sayerdesign construction ryujin.htm

http://www.info-central.org/construction_vacuumbagging.shtml
http://www.2linc.com/venturi_vacuum.htm
http://vacupress.com/
http://www.westsystem.com/
http://www.webbikeworld.com/t2/carbon-fiber-motorcycle-parts/

 

I had great results with the yellow handle OLFA scissors,
Home Depot, or that type of store.
RSLOOP