Vacuum pump swarf ball issue

[David34]

Hi Lathers!

I have purchased a 9cfm Vacuum pump (see photos)

I have a 1" clear pipe travelling down to the swarf box (VR) and then the normal size to the lathe..

Intermittently it will not suck up the swarf and ball up on the diamond, making the discs into frisbees.

I have since gone back to household vacuum that I had before, but I loved the peace and quiet of the cuts with the vacuum pump. Both pumps are outside the cutting room, which is on a mezzanine above me, with a ceiling buffering any noise. There is so much suction... .

I have tried backing off the heat on the disc (suggested by matt spinner town) I have adjusted the height of the suction tube, I have my weight on 12-13grams. The machine is a VR. Discs are spinnertowns.

I am stumped as there is SO much suction when I put my finger over the suction tube.

BTW - Souris tube holder on top of cutter head creates a vibration hum (50hz) when using a vacuum pump - do not use it, bypass it!

Please help guys..

IMG_4126.jpeg

IMG_4126.jpeg

[spinnertownblanks]

What is your groove depth measuring? Also what is the humidity around the lathe? It's good to check those two things first to rule them out (on in!).

Checking groove depth is crucial, as using anything mechanical, calibration can go out of whack even at varying times of year depending on heat, and head weights don't really tell you anything, the weight is only a rough guide to set the correct groove depth. When we lived in Bulgaria winters and summers were extremely hot and cold, wet and dry, and calibration would go completely off when the seasons changed, things like lubricants and oils especially.

Get those two things (groove depth and humidity) checked and then report back and go from there.

[nikc]

I have this issue. Getting a good vacuum pump helped a lot. I've now got a Side Channel blower. They can be expensive but i got a second hand one from ebay.
I also got the vacuum tube closer to the stylus.
And also had this problem when i want having enough weight on the stylus. for some reason having a good thicker swarf is easier to pick up;
to reduce static i now use distilled water with a bit of fairy liquid to wipe the disc first. Spinnertown also have an antic static solution too i noticed.
And I agree with spinner town too on humidity and groove depth

[David34]

Humidity sits at 50% here, doesn't move much here in sth Oz..

Groove depth, id have to check but not sure how to, as i’ve never had to!

[spinnertownblanks]

Groove depth, id have to check but not sure how to, as i’ve never had to!

Yeah but something has changed, so it is good practice to measure your grooves, that way you can rule everything out methodically one thing at a time, otherwise there are too many variables. Over the years of VR support work one thing we have learnt is never guess an issue, sometimes it's surprising what can cause issues, so rule out each thing one at a time. If groove depth is perfect and it happens across multiple styli then you can rule that out and move on.

50% humidity is good and likely not this issue, so that is one thing ruled out

[ilovedrums247]

Changing from silicone to a latex rubber tube helped alleviate most suction problems on my modified auqaforte ap-100. Also using a larger brass tube and keeping humidity closer to 50% has made everything smooth.

[David34]

thanks all!