These are the exact words that Grant Ockwell from Australia send me. In a short while I'll try and rewrite them as he suggested, but in the mean time, settle with his own words:

Gday Mate,

The pump works great, I can pull full 30hg of pressure. The fridge I got the compressor off was a 410L Kelvinator (big one). It pulls vacuum very quickly, 0-30hg in about 40-50 seconds. At 20hg it only switches on for about 4 seconds every hour or so. I spent a lot of time making sure the system has no leaks. I've attached a really badly drawn (i'm not a graphic designer :)) diagram of how I set my system up.

I got the info to build the pump off a few sites I found through google. I think I searched for vacuum + pump + fridge -

Here are the sites I kept note of.

http://www.eriecoast.com/~star33/pump.html

http://www.badger.rchomepage.com/vacbag.html

http://members.optusnet.com.au/hmbrown/VacuumSetUp.html

http://www.dream-models.com/h/vacuumpump.html

http://www.rivingtonsoarers.freeserve.co.uk/vacbag.htm

http://www.joewoodworker.com/veneering/pumpsys-concept.htm

http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/Can_you_use_a_shop_Vac_for_Vacuum_bagging%3F/m_1233462/tm.htm

http://surfing.rdx.net/Building/pump.html

If anyone wants to build a pump you'll need to get yourself the following items.

• Old Fridge pump (bigger the better :))

• 12 v rated relay. (saves running 240v through the expensive vacuum switch which will possibly ruin it.)

• 12 v plug pack ( I used a nokia ph charger for plug pack) .

The rest can be found at a hardware / marine / boat shop.

• 1m of 100mm pvc pipe and some strong end caps (used as the resviour)

• 1/4 inch clear tubing (cheap pvc type)

• Several Brass fittings (you'll need to work out what you need here)

What remains can be ordered through acp-composites.com

Here is what I got:

The adjustable switch comes with a great diagram showing how the entire setup should be wired. If I was to order this again I would get the brass 4 way connecter off them as well. (Saves having to cut as many holes in the PVC reservoir which can lead to more leaks in the system )

Items Ordered ( The invoice I received from acp)

ACP Product Code V-05 Description : Vacuum Switch - 3" to 30" Hg Setting Range Price : $39.00

ACP Product Code : V-06 Description : Vacuum Gauge Price : $19.00

ACP Product Code : V-09 Description : Check Valve Price : $3.00

ACP Product Code : V-13A Description : EZ-VAC Bag Connector Price : $8.00

ACP Product Code : V-08A Description : 1/4" Tubing Clamp Price : $.30

Feel free to post any of this info on your site. You have permission to re-write this babble into something more suited for a website :)

Make sure that you say somewhere that:

Grant Ockwell (eoccy) will not be held liable for any damages/injuries that may occur in relation to the information given. If you do not feel confident with mains wiring then please don't try any of this. Grant takes no responsibilities for any of your actions."

The same statement goes for Erik Dahl Christensen and others whose links appear as help for building a vacuum device

Just to cover my ass if someone fries themselves wiring up a fridge pump wrongly or the pump blows up and takes out their eye or something stupid like that.

Take care buddy

Cheers Grant - Australia