Anyone ever wonder what the insides of a Welch vacuum pump looks like?

Phillip Patton

Phillip Patton

Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
Joined
Jul 25, 2005
Messages
5,380
Mine ( I use it for stabilizing handle wood) was making some odd noises and getting difficult to turn, so I took it apart to investigate.
Thought I'd share a photo:

pumpparts.JPG
 
Anyone ever notice how things like that seem to come apart a lot faster than they go back together? :D
 
I've often felt that anything requiring assembly should come with Rol-Aids and aspirin included. Maybe that's just me?

So Phillip, did you find where it was binding? Or just gonna lube it up and put it back together?
 
How badly was it crapped up inside before you cleaned it, Phillip? Doesn't look to be in bad shape. I've seen much worse.
 
GibsonFan said:
Anyone ever notice how things like that seem to come apart a lot faster than they go back together? :D
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Actually, this project took about the same both ways. Probably about 6 hours total.

deker said:
What I don't get is why they always put in those extra 2 or 3 screws that they just don't need :)
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He he. Thankfully, there were no extra parts when I was done reassembling. :thumbup::D

docdredd said:
hahah your doomed.... just send it to me..... :)
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I now what you mean. Grainger is selling these things for $2300+ :eek:

[QUOTE Gibsonfan]I've often felt that anything requiring assembly should come with Rol-Aids and aspirin included. Maybe that's just me?

So Phillip, did you find where it was binding? Or just gonna lube it up and put it back together?[/QUOTE]

Yes, the rectangular pieces of Micarta? were binding in their slots. They all had swelled up for some reason. So I thinned them down very carefully and slowly on my belt grinder until they moved freely. One of them had another problem though. The edge of one of the slots had been impacted somehow, and had mushroomed over, pinching the micarta block.
Easy to fix with a file, but I'd like to know how it happened in the first place...

fitzo said:
How badly was it crapped up inside before you cleaned it, Phillip? Doesn't look to be in bad shape. I've seen much worse.
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It was pretty grimy. It had some grayish sediments. It wasn't as bad as I expected though. I think someone before me had it apart, because some of the screw heads inside were messed up.
I hope it works as good as new....
 
Help! I got it back together, and new oil in it, and now it doesn't want to turn.
I can just barely turn it by hand, using all my strength. No way the motor could turn it.
Now what?!
 
You know those Food Saver contraptions? Mine has some cannisers for dry stuff. That's what I use....
 
Phillip Patton said:
I don't THINK so... I hope not. :eek:
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How many spare parts left over? If you don't have any that's probably the problem! hahaha..just kidding. Check that you put all the washers back in the proper order on the impeller. On that same line, make sure you didn't torque the impeller shaft down too tight. Other than that, not sure...good luck though...
 
Well, you did put in all new seals, impeller blades, and vacuum pump oil, right?
I've rebuilt Welch 1402Bs a couple of times, and old parts needed to be tossed. anything that could have worn should go... not cheap to do so, but worth it in the end.
 
i'm pretty good at fixing things from what people tell me. if you get desperate i'm one state over. it cant be any harder than rebuilding a harley davidson golf cart motor without a manual. try loosening up the endplates and see how it turns then. maybe there is some binding in the shaft.
 
richard j said:
i'm pretty good at fixing things from what people tell me. if you get desperate i'm one state over. it cant be any harder than rebuilding a harley davidson golf cart motor without a manual. try loosening up the endplates and see how it turns then. maybe there is some binding in the shaft.
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I suspect you're right about the binding. As soon as I get home, I'm going to take it apart again, and see if I can fix it. If I can't, thanks for the offer, I might take you up on it.
 
I took the pump partway apart, and fixed it. For some reason the shaft was binding somewhere. It's working now, but the shaft seal is leaking oil, which is kind of a pain....

Also, I've had the chance now to cut up some pieces of stabilized osage orange, and I'm pretty sure the Nelsonite is penetrating all the way. :thumbup:

Here's the first knife I've made with it:

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=479588

Thanks everyone who gave advice. :)
 
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