# Array of small vac pumps **URL:** \ **Category:** General Chat\ **Created:** [June 16, 2023, 2:15pm UTC](https://forum.avidcnc.com/t/array-of-small-vac-pumps/2158 "2023-06-16T14:15:22Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![JeffZitur](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/a3d4f5/32.png) [@JeffZitur](https://forum.avidcnc.com/u/JeffZitur)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2023, 2:15pm UTC](https://forum.avidcnc.com/t/array-of-small-vac-pumps/2158/1 "2023-06-16T14:15:22Z")
Hi I can get a good deal on a bunch of smaller vac pumps. they are Barnant Model 400-1901. they are just little 1.2 amp 120v deals. they should be able to pull around 20hg each at 18 psi. have any of you made hold downs with arrays of small pumps like this or would I be wasting my time? ---
**Author:** ![Eric](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex027/user_avatar/forum.avidcnc.com/eric/32/3220_2.png) [@Eric](https://forum.avidcnc.com/u/Eric)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2023, 2:36am UTC](https://forum.avidcnc.com/t/array-of-small-vac-pumps/2158/2 "2023-06-17T02:36:22Z")
I did some vacuum fixtures here: > [@Saunders Fixture Plate Build Update](https://forum.avidcnc.com/t/saunders-fixture-plate-build-update/2132/2): > > Those SMW tooling plates are really nice! I recently did this setup for a trade show: These are a couple of generic tooling plates we had. I made some vacuum fixtures on the left and some fixed hold downs on the right. I had some tiger claw clamps I was going to use, but they didn’t get to me in time so I had to get creative with some delrin scraps I had around. What is it you’re going to be making on your machine? ---
**Author:** ![JeffZitur](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/a3d4f5/32.png) [@JeffZitur](https://forum.avidcnc.com/u/JeffZitur)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2023, 1:49pm UTC](https://forum.avidcnc.com/t/array-of-small-vac-pumps/2158/3 "2023-06-17T13:49:07Z")
Thanks. These type of fixtures are what I want to make. What I am asking here is if you can use multiple small vac pumps in parallel or series or however ? or do they just work against each other? I don’t know anything about vacuum pressure ---
**Author:** ![Eric](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex027/user_avatar/forum.avidcnc.com/eric/32/3220_2.png) [@Eric](https://forum.avidcnc.com/u/Eric)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2023, 5:26pm UTC](https://forum.avidcnc.com/t/array-of-small-vac-pumps/2158/4 "2023-06-20T17:26:05Z")
I don’t know about those specific pumps to be honest, I use one that’s pretty similar to this one: > **[2.5 CFM Vacuum Pump](https://www.harborfreight.com/25-cfm-vacuum-pump-61245.html?ccdenc=eyJjb2RlIjoiNTc3NDIwNTAiLCJza3UiOiI2MTI0NSIsImlzIjoiNzQuOTkifQ%3D%3D&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=20273890794&campaignid=20273890794&utm_content=153352724794&adsetid=153352724794&product=61245&store=&gclid=Cj0KCQjwnMWkBhDLARIsAHBOftp4y_vPpo8SfyRMua95nQq-G1ey_6Mk-hrRv3np_wcRKna4bbdzvVoaArjGEALw_wcB)** > > Amazing deals on this 2.5Cfm Vacuum Pump at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices. The principal of these things is that when you put the part on the fixture it makes a perfect seal. That means as long as your vacuum can pull a near perfect vacuum it just has to be able to do that with little to no air moving. If you have leaks (and you’ll always have at least a tiny leak) the vacuum pump needs to be big enough to overcome those leaks. Anecdotally I can tell you that the pump I linked can handle a fair bit of leakage before the vacuum is lost. Sorry that’s not more scientific! ---
**Author:** ![subnoize](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex027/user_avatar/forum.avidcnc.com/subnoize/32/2197_2.png) [@subnoize](https://forum.avidcnc.com/u/subnoize)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2023, 1:22am UTC](https://forum.avidcnc.com/t/array-of-small-vac-pumps/2158/5 "2023-06-21T01:22:06Z")
I use a Venturi vacuum pump on my 18x24 Pierson Workholding chuck. No moving parts, oil or things that wear out. Flawless operation for years. Just keep it clean and you are good! ![PXL_20230618_191453559](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex027/uploads/avidcnc/original/2X/8/8bb951b84814f3d267b95e06e0953c87ad272c76.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![NLE](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex027/user_avatar/forum.avidcnc.com/nle/32/3880_2.png) [@NLE](https://forum.avidcnc.com/u/NLE)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2023, 5:24am UTC](https://forum.avidcnc.com/t/array-of-small-vac-pumps/2158/6 "2023-06-25T05:24:00Z")
I made a configureable vacuum hold down fixture from HDPE. I pull the vacuum with an oilless pump. I had an inexpensive oil one but after running continuously for several hours is started to spit oil out the vent. Might have been a lemon but I upgrade since I use vacuum hold down fixtures all the time. ![IMG_5059](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex027/uploads/avidcnc/original/2X/9/923f8e08c15afb8b2c99d47402d4b63a1db48d96.jpeg) This one is specifically for cribbage boards. ![IMG_4049](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex027/uploads/avidcnc/original/2X/8/8f74560df00883a10474c4a4ac5da88341630aaf.jpeg)