Phoenix Bird

CONSTRUCTING A SIMPLE VACUUM CHAMBER

By: Sirjohn

What you need:
Electric motor Square A/C compressor (old Ford type)
Vacuum gauge 3/8 low pressure hose (approx. 2 ft.)
2 worm gear hose clamps 1 bulkhead fitting
1 tee 1 tube of JB Weld
Blue "Form-A-Gasket" Thin piece of rubber, 10 inches square
1 bottle of super glue 1 pc. of 6" diameter pipe, approx. 10" long
(if you can get one, use a metal pipe with a welded on base - if not, use a piece of PVC pipe. If you use this, get another 10 in. square of rubber)
1 piece of thin aluminum
(if you use the PVC pipe get 2 pieces of aluminum)
1 board or another flat surface for a base
1 V - belt  

Before you start out, check the compressor for a small plug on the side. Remove this and put some 30-weight oil in it, then reinstall the plug. Then look at the magnetic clutch. You will find a bolt. When you remove it, you can put the JB Weld between the clutch and the pulley. This will stop the free turning of the pulley. On the board, line up the motor and the pulley on the compressor. When the JB Weld is dry, install the V - belt. Make sure that everything is bolted down tight. On top of the compressor there will be 2 metal tubes. One is the intake and the other is the exhaust. Install the 3/8" low-pressure hose to the intake side, and put a worm gear hose clamp on it. Place the other end of the hose over one end of the tee and clamp this tight. On the top of the tee you install the vacuum gauge.

Next you work with the tube. If you have the metal one with a welded base, drill a hole in the side and install the bulkhead fitting with a good amount of blue Form-a-Gasket on the threads and around the hole to seal out leaks. Let this dry, then install the tee to it. If you have the PVC pipe, cut it straight on both ends and Super Glue the rubber to the aluminum and then glue it to the bottom of the pipe. Then drill the hole as you would in the metal pipe. Then take the last piece of aluminum and glue the rubber on it. When it dries, drill a 1/2" hole in the center. Then you take a small piece of rubber and put it over the hole; this is how you let air back in the chamber. Put a piece of rubber in the bottom of the chamber to cushion the jar.

Get a quart size jar and put a lid and ring on it, but don't screw the ring tight. Place the jar in the chamber and place the aluminum top with the hole in it on top of the chamber. Place the small piece of rubber over the hole. Now you will see if you did a good job of cutting the pipe straight. If not, you might try applying a small amount of pressure to hold the lid down. Plug in your motor and watch the gauge. When the gauge has dropped all that it will quickly remove the small piece of rubber that you put on top. That should be all it takes to vacuum seal the jar. When you remove the jar, screw the ring down tight.

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