Vacuum Chamber Construction

[Richard Hull]

I tested my hemispheres using a rubber gasket on an old bell jar plate. Check the construction FAQs for my fusor II images. You have so many ports on each hemisphere it would be tough. You would have to blank of all on each hemisphere.

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Richard Hull

[Nicolas Krause]

Welding continues steadily, I've nearly completed one hemisphere. The welds need to be cleaned and checked for leaks, and one its quite messy, I might use a dremel to smooth it out. Other than that, simply running out of Argon is what halted progress today.

[Richard Hull]

The good news is argon is extremely inexpensive. You must have a small tank. Mine is full sized and I have had it now for 20 years and used very little of it. I fear that when I need a refill, they will note the tank pressure inspection is out of date and charge me an inspection fee in addition to the argon. This is a penalty often impressed upon a small use welder. Big shops never suffer this as they exchange frequently.

Richard Hull

[Nicolas Krause]

I've nearly completed all the welding on my chamber. A single large weld remains, but having run out of time this evening it will have to wait.

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[Richard Hull]

Good golly miss Molly! Did you get a sunburn doing all of this welding?
If not, you did good....

Richard Hull

[Nicolas Krause]

Another quick update, I'm happy to report I've completed all the major welds on my chamber. They've been visually inspected and they all appear to be sound.

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I might in the future have to break out the welding equipment if I have some trouble pumping down, but for the moment all looks well. It's very nice to reached this point, I have a bit of official looking hardware on my desk.

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I've ordered some 8020 extrusion so that I can build a frame to hold the chamber and assorted components. It should arrive sometime next week. My focus now will move to the vacuum systems of the device!

[Richard Hull]

Now your are cookin'! You have to be proud of yourself! I know I am proud that you have proven to be a virtual unstoppable doer. "You have guts and guts is enough" ( R. Lee Ermey, Drill Instructor in the movie Full Metal Jacket)

Looking for continued forward movement and the reports of further successes.

Richard Hull

[Nicolas Krause]

Thanks for the encouragement Richard, it's been a long haul! I can't say enough about the community all the old timers have built here, its such a tremendous source of quality information, the only price for entry is some hard work. I've also been very much enjoying reading your postings about the history of the Farnsworth fusor effort. Fascinating stuff!

[John Futter]

Nicolas
For a first effort I give you a B+
Well done

[Nicolas Krause]

I'll take that John! Much better than an F, what would I have to do to take it to an A?