New MkII Degassing Chamber - Part One

A lot of the things I currently make as part of my business use cast resins. Mixing the resins well though introduces bubbles to the mix. If they get to the surface on the mould it can ruin the finish of the item, and inside the item they can cause weak points in it.
I jury-rigged a simple vacuum chamber together out of an old discharged fire extinguisher I found, but after using it for a few months I learnt what I needed a little better. Time for the MkII!

Recorded on my camera-phone just as I'd got the first run working. Was a bit tired, so sorry my narration is rather off.

The MkI is seen briefly in the video with a few parts already stripped off it. The MkII is larger and easier to clean, and features:
* Vertical access
* Mould carrier for easy mass-loading
* Pump isolation valve
* Internal lighting
* Lid handle and centring recess

Still to do:
* Particle filter on UTA (up-to-air) valve
* Proper battery holder and switch for lights

It works! :D

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• vacuum
• chamber
• degassing
• resins
• resin
• junk
• workshop

[honeybunchickens]

You need a better video camera

[SciStarborne]

@honeybunchickens I have a better camera. This was recorded on my phone, ad-hoc.

[skarrbag]

Hi Sci, have you considered doing a quick (well... non-quick really) test to see how long it would take (in terms of hours, or probably days) for a noticable change from ~0mbar on the guage?

Might be worthwile for knowing when you have items in the future that may require a longer stint in the chanber, possibly the horns, something even larger, or even possibly a different material for a project in the future?