My major obsticle right now is simply connecting a turbomolucular pump to the chamber!
My current TMpump (which uses an ASA flange) can only run standing up (or the oil from the reservoir would drain into the turbine). So before we even think about attaching it, we need a huge elbo, which turns out costs $595 (3X the cost of the pump). On top of that you would still need an adapter flange (rubber gasket to conflat). AND I would need to elevate the chamber to accommodate the position of the pump. Also, I think the elbo would reduce the TMpumps effectiveness; you want as short and direct a duct as possible (although I have no idea the actual metric of reduction). So not looking good.
Now, lets take a closer look at the TMpumps with variable orientation in my price range on ebay :
Kyky – can’t find any documentation
Lebold – Leybold TW 700 L – TDL SPECSHEET. I don’t see a TW 700, but I do see a TW 701. It’s inlet flange is ISO160-K. So this would need an adapter flange to connect to our conflat(10″ I think). Need to price this adapter.
Varian Varian TurboMolecular Pump Model V-550 Model # 969-9049S017. The catalog only mentions the V550 controler, I don’t see specs on the pump itself. Need to ID the flange for this one.
Any one of these needs an accompanying controller. We are going to try a cheap variable frequency drive on the current TMpump. Do these pumps require extra air/water cooling systems?
Prometheus Fusion Perfection 
Every turbo I have used/seen utilizes some kind of cooling mechanism; either water or air depending on the unit. This will always be integrated into the turbo chassis and you will just need a water chiller or air pump for circulation. Before you decide on buying a new turbo, I would find the controller first and make sure that you can get them both at the same time. Having one without the other is rather frustrating and useless as I’m sure you’ve discovered with that monster you have right now.
found this turbo/controller pair:
http://cgi.ebay.com/LEYBOLD-TMP-1000C-VACUUM-TURBO-PUMP-CONTROLLER-NT-20_W0QQitemZ160294654604QQcmdZViewItemQQptZBI_Pumps?hash=item160294654604&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=66%3A4%7C65%3A16%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318#ht_8104wt_1140
http://cgi.ebay.com/Varian-Turbo-V70-vacuum-pump-controller-iso63-flange_W0QQitemZ260380850691QQcmdZViewItemQQptZBI_Pumps?hash=item260380850691&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=66%3A4%7C65%3A16%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318#ht_2458wt_1140
According to this spec sheet:
Click to access tw700.pdf
This Lebold TW 700 has an integrated frequency converter:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&item=120394721038
I really like the Lebold TW 700 that is listed on ebay (for the current bid price I might have to make a bid myself!) but as far as I can tell it has a KF flange for mounting, which means you would have to support the weight of the turbo by other means that the mounting flange. KF flanges are typically not as good for UHV work, since they utilize rubber gaskets, but at 48k RPM I think you would probably be fine!
I think the Lebold TW 700 is the mark.
It uses a 160 ISO-K flange.
I just asked Kurt J Lesker Co for a quote on the power supply for the Lebold TW 700, as well as an adapter flange for 160 ISO-K to 10″ conflat.
What is your maximum bid on that item, because I wouldn’t mind having that myself? You get first dibs, I don’t want to bid battle you.
$1K
Alright, that’s higher than I want to go, it’s all yours! I hope you get it for less…good luck!
Lost it. Went to $1.5K
Had a good conversation with David @ http://provac.com/turbo.html
about turbomolecular pumps in general.
Some things I learned:
Turbopumps are more prone to failure when mounted in the horizontal position; even pumps that mount in “any orientation”
In the interests of budgeting, we should get a much larger/more powerful rough pump, and a smaller turbo.
just as a reference, adapter flange for 160 ISO-K to 10″ conflat is ~$500
Good explanation of the difference between
Turbomolecular Pumps
Molecular Drag Pumps
Turbo/Drag Pumps
http://www.vacuum-zone.com/shop/index.php?mp=info&file=conditions
next up:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=160324102716&_trksid=p3907.m32&_trkparms=tab%3DWatching#ht_500wt_1155
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&item=120396373721#ht_1887wt_1140
Click to access TurboDragPumpStandTSD_TSH_TSU022_064_065_.pdf