Have you checked http://www.joewoodworker.com ?

 

Yes … I have been looking at his Excel 1 unit.

 

Shawn, I've got one of the VacuPress Compact 100 systems. It's done everything I've needed as a hobbyist. The only complaint is the continuous duty pump. Using UniBond and three hours vacuum time it becomes an irritation listening to it while trying to do other work in the shop. Of course, constant vacuum/non continuous setups typically cost more.

I would buy the Vacupress 100 again.

 

Vacuum pressing systems also sells a venturi pump that has a shutoff switch to avoid the continuous operation. It's pricier but still much cheaper than the electric pump. It does require a compressor that can handle the airflow.

It is still a pricey purchase at $700+.

Air-powered system

 

You might want to take a look at www.roarockit.com . They have a very inexpensive vacuum kit that could suit your needs.

 

I bought the venturi from joewoodworker and built my own system around it.
If you build it with a big enough resevoir capacity and minimize leaks, it doesn't run very much. (About one 30 second cycle every 3 minutes - YMMV)
I was also impressed at how little air it took to draw the vacuum, acheiving 27 inches of mercury on that little venturi pump in relatively short time.