There have been a few requests for further details regarding the stored vacuum charge system I used in my vacuum forming videos. In this video, I provide some more depth into the parts involved and the workflow for using the system.

Parts list:
11 Gallon Air Tank (Harbor Freight) $42 *these use 1/2" fittings
½” Male to ¾” Female (Anderson Metals Brass Pipe Fitting, Adapter – Amazon) $18 - for the initial air tank to 3/4" pipe connection
Vacuum Gauge (McMaster Carr – 4002K15) $12
¾” Male to 1/8” Female Reducer (Amazon) $14 - to mount the vacuum gauge
Various Threaded Piping (3/4”) $20-30
FIP-FIP Water Heater Hose (3/4”) $10 - hose to the platen
2x FIP x FIP Threaded ¾” Ball Valves $15 ea.
Vacuum Pump (ZENY 3.5 CFM ¼ HP – Amazon) $53
¾” Male to ½” Female Reducer (Amazon) $6 - tank-side of the PVC hose to ball-valve connection
½” Male to ¼” Barb (Amazon) $6 - - tank-side of the PVC hose to ball-valve connection
¼” PVC Tubing (Home Depot) $3 - tank-side of the barb to the vacuum pump barb
Vacuum Pump adapter fittings:
FJC 6015 R134A Refrigerant Tank Adapter (Amazon) $4
FJC 6014 Vacuum Pump Adapter (Amazon) $4
and you'll also need a pump-side 1/4" barb fitting, which I got from Home Depot

I also mentioned getting new Vacuum Pump Oil in the video. The oil that comes with the Zeny likes to burn off and I found it needed topping off every vacuum forming session. I suggest just foregoing that fluid all-together and getting a higher quality replacement. The fluid is not only important in keeping the pump cool, but it also effects the quality of the vacuum charge, both in the inHg result and how fast you can get there. The fluid I ended up getting was some Supercool Premium Synthetic Vacuum Pump Oil from Advanced Auto Parts, but I'm sure other fluid brands in other automotive stores are the same.

Loctite 504467 PST Thread Sealant Stick was used on the threads for all the pipe and adapter connections. It isn't necessary to use thread sealant with the water hoses going to your optional additional tank(s) or the platen because they usually have a rubber gasket in them already.

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