That is an impressive sucker contraption. I've been told by many owners, go ahead and take what you want! But none willing to give up their company. So I'm modifying an old 6.5 hp shop vac from work. The idea is to mount it to a 55 gallon lid so any drum can be a vacuum. I build a tester from 1/4 inch mdf. It got sucked into the drum. I'm hopping the steel lid will be more resilient. 1 55gal drum should keep me running for a month. So I don't see a need for much bigger than that. Anyway, congrats on a successful experiment!

 

Cool idea with the shop vac. I would love to see pics when you get on it!

Im in kind of a holding pattern right now on the oil stuff. Currently my free time is spoken for... have TXtinct's truck to finish, and for work im re-learning gcode and new-learning mazatrol controls.(cnc machinist)

Since the "prototype" worked like i wanted it to... next step is go bigger and build a skid to load up in the flatbed trailer. May be a little while tho...

 

sounds like we are in similar situations. having to use scraps, and make time where the was none to begin with. your usage far exceeds mine however.

my concern is the hose, i've got a 1 1/2 plastic sump pump type hose for testing purposes. but i'm pretty sure it will collapse and deteriorate with the oil in it. i may have to spend some time at farm and fleet. once i get the collection worked out i'm hoping to weld up another lid to supply air and push oil out of my bed. I'm sure i can not lift 50 gallons of oil. don't even want to. again back to farm and fleet for proper rated hoses. i need to get better with my welder! ill snap some pics tonight. it's ugly. but function > form.

 

in no particular order. The metal lid does not even need the locking ring. it started to suck the sides of the drum in. and the lid poped like a snapple bottle. i'm guessing that vac is pulling close to the limit of my drums. and as you may see, i tried to create the perfect storm for max suction, no hose, no inlet. just incase a burger ends up in an oil container and blocks my hose. hopefully this weekend i can get to a decent hardware store for the hose and fittings for the pumping lid.

let me know if the pics don't show.

 

The pics didnt show...

 

Library Slideshow by 05mustangmanmike | Photobucket

try it this time

there are some duplicates on this slide show. but the link seems to work.

 

another point, that sump hose was left in my bucket of oil for 2 weeks. no signs of anything bad. except size. i'll take more pics of the progress this weekend. but basicly the hose attaches the same as the pump, plus some liquid nails. (it was free and plentiful). i believe due to the small diameter, long length, and ribbed construction, this thing whistles like i could not believe. didn't even get to full speed before i managed to shut down the motor. neighbors came out asking what happened. i told them my vaccum just screamed at me.

very slow progress on all this. honestly it's my last priority, and i've been so busy with side jobs that the cost of fuel is absorbed into that. rather than being a large percentage of our family budget.

plus i bought a cheap motorcycle for fair weather transport.

might be selling vacuum to someone with more time and ambition.

 

Super Vacuum Slideshow by 05mustangmanmike | Photobucket

lets try this

 

All i can say is......If your wearing certain Middle Eastern garb, and pull up in front a Federal Building with this in your truck, im guessing you will be granted an "Audience"..........Yikes!

 

Lol

Yeah... its a good thing i live where i do.
Apparatus like this are common out in the oil field.

Since the tests went well... i broke the system back down in prep for the stage 2 build.
250gal propane tank for my vacuum reservoir... and i will run 55 gal drums in series back to it.

Have had a lot on my plate lately and would like to get working on it sooner than i think my schedule will allow.
I already have pretty much everything i need to build, but the list of things ahead of this project need to dwindle down a bit.

Momma gave me the green light to turn our 33ft 5er into my mobile machine shop/toolroom.