Pressure Pot and Vacuum Pump questions

Signed-In Members Don't See This Ad
G

Grrrrr609

Member
Joined
Nov 30, 2014
Messages
17
Location
Harpers Ferry WV
I know this has got to have been covered and I apologize ahead of time for brining this up. But ive searched and read and read and searched and im lost.

Harbor Freight has their 2.5 cfm vacuum pumps on sale. Worth it or not?

Harbor Freight pressure pot, worth it or not?
 
Signed-In Members Don't See This Ad
A lot of people don't like the HF pressure pot. I've had mine for about 5 years and have had no problems.
As to the vacuum pump, I can't recall any one with anything positive to say about them. I checked the local pawn shops and bout a used Robinair for just a little more than the HF cost on sale.
 
Vacuum pumps for this application need to be looked at in terms of vacuum level, the micron rating. The cfm barely matters as its not how fast it can move the air but how much air it can get out of the tank and keep it out for extended periods. That makes for some different design parameters to say the least.
 
I am not going to comment much on the HF pot but I am not a fan! You can search and see all the posts I have made over the years about them and the arguments I have been involved with. Just not worth stating my thoughts any further!

The HF pump is ok and will do the job. They are notorious about putting out an oul mist, leaving a haze in the shop. Personally, for similar money, I would buy a Robinair 15310. You can get them on Amazon.com for around $120 delivered. It is still made in China and a disposable pump that is not re-buildable just like the HF pump. However, Robinair is a vacuum pump company that makes a lot of different vacuum pumps. HF is a cheap tool company that sells a lot of cheap tools.

Like Mannie said above, you may have good luck with the pawn shops. Usually you can get a much higher quality, US made pump for similar money as a new cheap pump.
 
I bought a Robinaire 15500 on Craigslist for $10 a few months back. The guy selling it did not know if it was working or not, and it would not turn on at all. I thought it was worth the risk for $10. It had no smell of burned motor or anything. I am an electrician so I know the wrong smells. I brought it home, popped out the switch, found it was bad and connected the wires together, plugged it in and now I have a nice vacuum pump. I should really replace the switch one of these days though. LOL

I guess what I am saying is look around, you might get lucky. I also bought a Binks pressure pot, which included all of the hoses and a spray gun for $50. It is WAY better quality than the HF, so again, I was patient and persistent and able to get what I wanted for way less than new and way way less than cheap new.
 
The pressure pot, for vacuum will work fine if the volume works for your application. The gasket sucks (no pun intended) but is workable. I poured a new gasket using a lower durometer rubber and it works much better.
But a vacuum pump I would look to ebay for a Robinair or Gast before I bought one from Harbor. The CFM rating has more to do with how quickly it will evacuate the vessel, higher is quicker and more beneficial if you have leaks.
Unless you have a large compressor and ear plugs, don't go for a cheaper venturi device.

But eBay and salvage shop vacuum pumps are a crap shoot unless it is cheap enough that you can get parts for them (real important), and I would always recommend going with an oil less one. In a pinch you can make one with an air conditioning compressor from a car (Jeep guys have a lot of info on the internet for making compressors from them and you just use the inlet side) but why are noisy too. The CFMs work better if you have a leak.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom