My Vacuum System Progress
Posted: Sun Mar 15, 2015 11:16 pm
So, for the last two years or so, I have been slowly gathering components and putting together my vacuum system that I will use as a more multi-purpose system, however a fusor is the primary initial goal. So far, my setup consists of a Daia DPF4Zs 4 inch liquid cooled diff complete with a vapor trap, cutoff valve and broken pirani gauge, cooled by a water recurculator/chiller that is made from a retired plumb-in water cooler. I also have more recently acquired a Varian 841 Ion gauge controller, and have re purposed an old metal table/drawer to be the vacuum table. For simplicities sake, I am going to purchase a thick sheet of aluminum to mount all of the components to, and use a bell jar style setup that way I wont have to do as much machining. Eventually I would like to make a purpose built chamber, however for now, a bell jar style setup provides the most leeway, As it does not strictly need to be a glass bell jar, and I wont have to match couplings or machine flanges.
This diffusion pump is an absolute monster and a steal for a small/medium sized pump (thanks sunnking on eBay for accepting my low ball offer!) and was removed from a retired scanning electron microscope. It comes equipped with a matching Daia vapor trap, and a few other pieces and parts, including a vacuum valve and a broken pirani gauge. Unfortunately, the platinum wire inside the pirani gauge broke in shipping, but since I have an ion gauge controller, it would have just been replaced anyway. The inlet to the water jacket on the pump was also bent due to shipping trouble, but fortunately it did not break and was bent back into place without trouble.
Entire setup, you can see the table with the cooler sitting on top, and the gauge mounted on the side. You can also see the roughing pump, a cheapy harbor freight pump that is a surprisingly good performer.
The diff, with cooling lines connected and various vacuum related components.
The Ion gauge controller temporarily resting in its permanent position, side mounted on the table.
This diffusion pump is an absolute monster and a steal for a small/medium sized pump (thanks sunnking on eBay for accepting my low ball offer!) and was removed from a retired scanning electron microscope. It comes equipped with a matching Daia vapor trap, and a few other pieces and parts, including a vacuum valve and a broken pirani gauge. Unfortunately, the platinum wire inside the pirani gauge broke in shipping, but since I have an ion gauge controller, it would have just been replaced anyway. The inlet to the water jacket on the pump was also bent due to shipping trouble, but fortunately it did not break and was bent back into place without trouble.
Entire setup, you can see the table with the cooler sitting on top, and the gauge mounted on the side. You can also see the roughing pump, a cheapy harbor freight pump that is a surprisingly good performer.
The diff, with cooling lines connected and various vacuum related components.
The Ion gauge controller temporarily resting in its permanent position, side mounted on the table.