Vacuum Hoist Sheet Loader

[sawkerf]

Frank, my bad, my age is catching up with me. My blower is a 6.2 HP not sold by SB anymore. Kip

[fleinbach]

Kip,


I hooked up my 12" puck to my 7.5 hp pump and picked up the end of a 1" X 61 X 121" sheet. I stood on the sheet with my 170 lbs so I would guess combined with the weight of half the sheet that was at least 250 lbs. It held until I started bouncing up and down on it. This eventually caused it to release.

[sawkerf]

Frank, My lift turned out great! Thanks for the help, it's been an awsome addition to my operation! I do have one problem though, I just got some MDF yesterday and my puck(frying pan) won't hold it. I tested it on some older sheets and it hold fine. I'm pretty sure this new stuff is not LDF. I also lifted a shop cart with me sitting on it, no problem. My question is, have you had a similar experience with your MDF? Are some brand more porous than others? Thanks,Kip

[Gary Campbell]

Hey Guys..
If you are looking to build an inexpensive vac pump, check out eBay. I got this pump for $50 + shipping. Specs are 26"Hg and 4 CFM. Another $100 to Joewoodworker(dot)com for the valve, switch and relay etc. works great. I use it for dedicated vac pucks, vacuum press, but not lifting yet.
Gary

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[fleinbach]

Kip,


I have no problem picking up any type MDF but I use a a high capacity Gast pump for my lift. It draws 28 inches. It can hold far better then my 7.5 HP regenerative I use for hold down. In fact on light weight 1/2 MDF if I place my puck on the stack it will pick up 5 sheets at a time. The lower 2 to 3 sheets can be easily seperated but the one directly below the top needs a good bit of pressue to release it.

Since my sheets are stored in a rack my normal procedure for picking them up is to pull them half way out before applying the puck. That way there is no extra sheet directly under the puck.

If your using the 6.2 hp pump you described above you most likely are losing to much vacuum through the sheet. In that case you should try to find a high capacity pump like the one Gary described above. I picked up my Gast pump at a local flea market for $100.00. A rare find for sure but I believe if you check ebay regularly one will appear for a decent price eventualy.

[sawkerf]

Hi Frank, I put my gauge on the puck and measured several different things. I pulled as much as 24 " on formica, 20" on 3/4 birch plywood, 7" on particle board, 8" on MDF I had prior to this stuff and less than 1" on the new MDF. I don't have a clue what the difference is. Thanks, Kip

[fleinbach]

Sounds like that new stuff would make an excellent spoil board for your vacuum table.

[sawkerf]

That's exactly what I was tinking. I made a set hooks to grab the edges of the porous stuff. They work fine, but a little less cool. Thanks again for your help.