Hobby Chip Extractor

[nyt]

I have a friend who has a Gravograph engraving machine which she uses to produce plant labels for a charity.

It has a small (9" tall) dust/chip extractor (see link below) which has failed.
Replacement is over £500. Crazy.

Before I bodge something for her with a battery hand-vacuum and duct tape, does anyone know of a supplier for a similar tool?

Thanks in advance.



https://www.gravograph.co.uk/products-and-consumab...

[sgrimshaw]

Question is, does she just want the work place kept clean or does she need to recover precious metals etc?

[nyt]

sgrimshaw said:

Question is, does she just want the work place kept clean or does she need to recover precious metals etc?

It'd be precious plastic that was recovered! The engraving produces loads of tiny shavings which go everywhere without the vacuum attached.

[imck]

I used to work for a Company that sold and serviced PCB Prototype Machines. Effectively a miniature Milling Machine.
Very similar to what you have.

They had a standard Vacuum Cleaner for dust extraction.
Would suggest a Henry as they are reasonably quiet.
You may need to consider the filtration levels.

[Monty Python]

Cheap bagless vacuum cleaner should do the trick.

[GnuBee]

Per last two responses any hoover will do - I used a Dyson on a CNC router milling plastic and aluminium for 3 years without issue. If you're worried about filtration for the same cost as that tiny Gravograph unit you could by a full featured Festool dust extractor with filters and compliance certification.

[Mr Pointy]

How about something like this:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Xpower-1000-Electric-Dust...

It's got a variety of nozzles you might be able to use to connect the existing pipe to.

Any chance of repairing hte existing unti?

[nyt]

Mr Pointy said:

How about something like this:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Xpower-1000-Electric-Dust...

It's got a variety of nozzles you might be able to use to connect the existing pipe to.

Any chance of repairing hte existing unti?

When I visit my friend then I'll take a look. It may be a simple 5V motor that only costs a few quid.

I'm sure that a 1000W vacuum would be more than adequate. As I said above, this is almost a toy extractor, probably 10W. It's about 9 inches high, runs off DC (I think) and produces an asthmatic suction at best. As suggested above, if I don't find a one for one replacement then I'll look at adapting a cheap hand-held rechargeable unit.

Edited by nyt on Tuesday 6th August 14:20

[nyt]

For those who like closure.

The problem turned out to be a poor connection.

I priced the components inside on eBay - roughly £19. Quite a profit on a £500 machine !

[Mr Pointy]

Very glad to hear your lady friend's suction has been restored.