Is my new pump defective?

[opie]

I bought this new 50 dollar pump, added oil, opened inlet, outlet and oil exhaust and turned it on.  When I put my finger on the inlet I can't feel much suction.  I put a fingernail size piece of paper over the inlet and there was not enough suction to hold it there.  I was expecting the same result as blocking the inlet on my home vacuum.
Do I need to return this pump or does it need to be a closed system and have some time to build up vacuum?
Thanks.

[PonoBill]

It should pull right away, as long as the oil level is right. That kind of pump makes an oily mess of oil coming out the breather. If you put a vertical tube about two feet long on the breather the oil will condense on the walls and drain back in.

You do know that brass fitting is just a T don't you? That's two inlets, not an inlet and outlet. You need to block both to feel suction.

[opie]

Thanks Bill, I didn't know that was just a t-fitting, when I blocked both I got plenty of pressure.  I'll grab some tubing for the oil exhaust, too.

[supuk]

one stop shop for all your bagging needs

https://www.veneersupplies.com/categories/Vacuum__Press__Items/Vacuum__Press__Parts/

[PonoBill]

Yes, I got all my bits from Veneer Supplies as well, but it's easy to spend $600 bucks. The oil pumps can be made serviceable with oil recovery. A vertical tube works OK but I added a simple vortex separator can to the one I bought before I laid out the bucks for the good stuff and it works perfectly. Nice to have a spare I don't care much about for pulling down larger volumes, finding leaks, or doing multiple jobs. I even used mine for it's intended purpose--evacuating the AC system on my GMC motor coach to replace the freon and oil. If you cover the oil back into the pump chamber the pump can run continuously. I still stick it outside, because the exhaust is a little sticky and I don't need oil vapor in my shop.

[surfcowboy]

Opie, the unsaid thing here is that be careful. That pump, if it sprays even microscopic amounts of that oil, will ruin your lamination in that room. No hot coat will survive.

Glad you got a good rig going over there, I'm jealous!

[opie]

Thanks, the unsaid things are very important here since I have no idea what I am doing.  I'll run the pump outside.

Veneer supplies looks like a good resource.  As things show up in the mail I keep realizing stuff I forgot.

By the time I get the 3d printer I'll be over the price of a Go Foil two pack.

[PonoBill]

True that^^

[surfcowboy]

As to the 3D printer, I've found a maker space to print mine. Working on that now actually. I just can't see having one collect dust most of the time (along with all my other dust collecting tools lol)

[opie]

I have an 11 year old boy, so I am thinking that having a 3d printer is going to be good for him.   

[PonoBill]

Great tool for kids, get him rolling with Fusion360 and in no time he'll be designing stuff for you. Beats the crap out of video games.

[surfcowboy]

Oh, yes. I can't imagine having a 3D printer as a kid. Do it!