Make Your Own AC Vacuum Pump --

[goodfellow]

I love these GAST vane driven vacuum pump/compressors. They are dirt cheap to find in surplus houses and on ebay. Usually scavenged from industrial equipment like printing presses and docu-copying centers, they make for excellent projects. The 220v models usually sell for just a few bucks, while the 110v models garner a premium.

My old GAST "bit the dust" after almost 20 years of service, so I picked this one up for $10 at a local surplus center and will turn it into my new AC vacuum pump. The combined R12 and R134 AC gauge fitting was picked up a few years ago at Enco for $5.00. This will allow me to hook up my older cars as well as the new 134a systems.

It's sports a GE 1/4HP 220v motor -- plenty enough for pulling a vacuum on a car. All I need is a plug -- which I'll pick up tonight.

BTW -- using these units as compressors makes them the perfect candidate as a fresh air supply when using toxic catalyzed paints. I converted a 110v pump a few years ago and it works just like a professional fresh air system.

EDIT: I put a plug on it, did some re-plumbing and hooked it to a vacuum gauge -- it held 32" of HG. Plenty for AC work








After re-plumbing and a new plug it looks and functions real well. I'll recharge the AC on my truck with this pump tomorrow.