Vacuum Table Question

[joewood]

I am machining a vacuum table that will be 48 x 36. It will be split into 2 zones of 24 x 18. I will be using 2 of the vacuum motors available from lighthouse, one for each zone. I do not have the option of attaching anything to the bottom of the vacuum table. Is there any technical reason for not attaching the vacuum either to the edge of the vacuum table, or to the top?

[knight_toolworks]

just put a hole in the side that's what I do it does add height of course.

[steve_g]

Joe

If it's important... 24 X18 size will give you four zones from a 48 X 36.

Steve

[michael_schwartz]

you really want both motors to work together in parallel by connecting them to a common manifold that will feed your table zones. You can separate them with check valves.

This should work much better than having each dedicated to its own zone, even on the full table. I also alternate between my motors when running for extended periods, so they can cool off.

My table is 49x97 and I have a 5 zone configuration with two of the LH motors.

However I do have a small zone, approximately 24x24 located at the starting point on my table which is closer to what your trying to do.

With both motors feeding this zone, I was able to cut out a couple 4"x4" squares of 3/4 baltic birch from a 12x14 blank. This was with half of the zone exposed with no masking, and I was maintaining about 7.5-8" HG. I probably couldn't have done that with only one, or the results would have been marginal.

Two motors feeding a 18x24 zone should work great, and should be fine on the full table.

[joewood]

Doh! a Homer moment!

[michael_schwartz]

I didn't catch it either at first :rolleyes:

[joewood]

Michael, I really can only attach the vacuums to either the end edge or the end top. If I do as you suggest, I think it will work only if I have 2 zones and not 4

[joewood]

Michael, might this be what you suggest?

[michael_schwartz]

Assuming you have a 36x48 buddy, you should take a look at how other people with that system, have connected their plumbing. There are a number of posts on this forum.

Try doing a google search for site:talkshopbot.com vacuum table for buddy

I can't really offer any comments because my experience has been with a PRS style table.