I am modifying the CAMaster 4x8 router table into a vacuum table.


The steps in this process are to surface the table top, cut holes for the plumbing connections to the vacuum system, and then cutting the grids for the different zones on the table.

Since the table top material is MDF, once I surface it and cut into it, removing the skin layer, if I were to apply vacuum to it in its raw state, the vacuum would not only pull from the channels that were cut into the material, but actually pull sideways as well. To further explain, in my experience MDF is a very porous material and will allow air to pass through it like a sponge. This is not limited to just a "vertical direction" but it will pull from all over. So if you are using a single zone, you will not have the full force of your vacuum pulling down because it will lose vacuum by pulling from the other zones adjacent to it. So you can lose a large amount of your vacuum from other zones in the material because they are not technically sealed. To help with this, I chose to seal it by painting it with a latex paint. This, while not 100% effective will greatly increase the pull from each zone. Essentially this blocks the loss of vacuum and will give you greater holding force.

This is the first of three videos of getting the CNC ready to start making chips.

Vacuum Table - Part 1
Vacuum Table Plumbing - Part 2
Spoil Board Installation - Part 3

Thanks for watching!