I am looking to make a small (12"x12") vacuum table. I am going to be cutting mainly polycarbonate (plexiglass). Anyone have good sources on what I should be reading to properly construct one? I've seen vaccum pumps in Mcmaster-Carr, but the $400 price tag kinda concerns me. Being a diy-er, I was hoping to make the entire thing for less that that.... I've seen people use shop-vacs in thier setup, but I think that's on the other end of the scale, and I'd like something a bit nicer than that.
The table will be made out of aluminum plate, many many holes, and I will have a small (3/32") replaceable sacrificial top on it. This will probably be out of pvc sheet or something like that.
So, basically looking for tips and advice.