Hey Guys !
I thought the manifold was quite well designed when I first bought the vacu-plate and was perplexed by your posts, as I still haven't installed the vacuum manifold on my table. I dug mine out to check on the problems you're having and hunted through the boxes of " too good to throw out stuff " and I came up with a few solutions.
The manifold will accomodate just about any vacuum hose you want to use, but first you need one more piece.
If using a 1 1/2" vacuum hose or connecting to a 4" vacuum/dust collector line then:
- Purchase a 1 1/2" ABS plumbing fitting, either straight connect, 45 deg elbow or 90 deg elbow. You will find that the OD dimension is 2 1/4". You can either tape the outside of the fitting for a friction fit or install a self tapping screw approx. 3/16" from the edge of the fitting. This will then slide into the manifold where there is a knotch in the manifold, a simple twist to the right of the fitting will lock it to the manifold.
Once you have the ABS fitting attached to the manifold you can attach a 1 1/2" piece of pipe or install a 2.5" X 1.5" Dust Collector adaptor or a 4" X 2.5" Dust Collector adaptor, depending on your vacuum line size, available at your local tool supply.
For those using the "bosses" vacuum or just a household vacuum then:
- Source out a old vacuum brush, preferably with the metal connector, (don't take the bosses) which slips over the vacuum hose nozzle. Cut off a 3" or 4" piece from the end of it and then install a screw about 3/16" from the end. It will now slip into the 1 1/4" hole inside the same manifold and again a simple twist to the right will lock it on. You can now connect the bosses vacuum to the manifold.
NB: The manifold has a small reccess to accomodate the addition of a screw and will provide some flexibility when attaching a hose or needing to dismantle everything to made changes under the table.
As a footnote:
I wouldn't glue or permenatly fix your hose or vacuum line to the manifold as change is always inevitable!!!
Hope this helps!!
Ric
