Vacuum Pump Research

[PMST]

I plan to use an oil-free side channel compressor (radial compressor) for suction. Does anyone have experience with it? Can this work?
(Vacuum pumps with oil can produce oil fumes during purging - albeit small).

Example: https://www.doctor-san.eu/14-seitenkanalverdichter-filterboxen-filter
seitenkanalverdichter.jpg

Greetings from Vienna
Thomas

That is the type of pump/vacuum i use, i use the model below for 2 VRs and works perfectly

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/313012959319

[PMST]

Any kind of side channel blower (if powerful enough) will work, self cooling and reliable

[Angus McCarthy]

A thought occurs, from my experience with pump organs and player pianos - has anyone experimented with the kind of multi-bellows vacuum pump used in several types of motorized player piano? I would imagine something like it would have been used in the early days of cutting for the same purpose.



Clunky and outdated? Very much so, but they are extremely quiet, and with a regulator should provide a steady flow. And, with the sad frequency that player pianos continue to be junked and gutted, it shouldn't be horribly difficult to source one.

[Llisa]

Great Info, thank you!
How noisy are they?

I plan to use an oil-free side channel compressor (radial compressor) for suction. Does anyone have experience with it? Can this work?
(Vacuum pumps with oil can produce oil fumes during purging - albeit small).

Example: https://www.doctor-san.eu/14-seitenkanalverdichter-filterboxen-filter
seitenkanalverdichter.jpg

Greetings from Vienna
Thomas

That is the type of pump/vacuum i use, i use the model below for 2 VRs and works perfectly

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/313012959319

[farmersplow]

It is not quiet. About like a powerful hoover. It bothers me when it runs continuously. To keep the noise within limits, a housing with sound insulation must be built. - Then the noise level is OK.

[tragwag]

A thought occurs, from my experience with pump organs and player pianos - has anyone experimented with the kind of multi-bellows vacuum pump used in several types of motorized player piano? I would imagine something like it would have been used in the early days of cutting for the same purpose.



Clunky and outdated? Very much so, but they are extremely quiet, and with a regulator should provide a steady flow. And, with the sad frequency that player pianos continue to be junked and gutted, it shouldn't be horribly difficult to source one.

I use this one, with an additional Variac
https://www.ebay.com/itm/292864311937?hash=item443012c281:g:tf0AAOSwljVgrCyJ

the vacuum I use is intended for replacing the pump in player pianos, it's super small and quiet when run with a variac.
but basically an MDF box around one of those Ametek Lamb central vac type units.