Log in

View Full Version : Desktop Vacuum Table Ideas


bradley4kevin
04-28-2015, 02:33 PM
Fairly new desktop owner here looking for ideas on how to make a vacuum table for my desktop to avoid the rails and undercarriage running into the outlet for the vacuum. I've seen the Make Magazine design. Anyone have other ideas or options? Just want to know my options before I move forward with a final design. Pics would be appreciated. Thanks.
Burkhardt
04-28-2015, 02:59 PM
Not sure what you want to cut, but with the desktop you won't be cutting large sheets anyway and a typical through-spoilboard vacuum table will not give you that much holding force for smaller parts.
IMO, for a machine that size you may be more flexible with a set of movable vacuum pods and a high vacuum pump.
bradley4kevin
04-28-2015, 03:10 PM
Thant makes sense. I am fairly new to this machine and CNC so can you point me in the direction where I can learn more about vacuum pods. Thanks.
bleeth
04-28-2015, 05:09 PM
They have a system/parts "ready to go" from Joe Woodworker, but lots of guys get their own pump and cut the pods out of Corian or thick bits of Acrylic themselves.
A home made pod and some "All-Star" adhesive gasketing works just fine or even the door/window sealer foam from HD.
The main thing to keep in mind is this system is designed so that you don't cut through your material anywhere it is over the pod. Great for holding things that you will v or 3-d carve, etch, etc.
Search "Pods" on the forum and you will have plenty of reading to do.
donek
04-28-2015, 09:06 PM
two different solutions here
http://makezine.com/magazine/behind-the-build-vacuum-table-2/
http://makezine.com/projects/make-41-tinkering-toys/shopbot-desktop-universal-vacuum-hold-down-system/
bradley4kevin
04-29-2015, 04:25 PM
Thank you for the replies. I will do some research on pods and that second link is one I have not seen before. Donek, have you made one or both of these? Would you say one is better than another? Thank you again.
donek
04-29-2015, 05:26 PM
Thank you for the replies. I will do some research on pods and that second link is one I have not seen before. Donek, have you made one or both of these? Would you say one is better than another? Thank you again.

The first one is based on our instructional video here:
http://donektools.com/cnc-basics-tutorials/
I frequently use it to hold parts the size of your desktop and smaller without any problems.