Pressure Pots for casting questions

Eeeeek.

No.

Do NOT buy the cheapie Harbor Freight Pressure Pot.

I belong ton a couple differrent casting groups on Yahoo, and there have been horror stories about the bolts failing on that pot. Very dangerous. The Alumilite Pressure Pot is the one you seek...

pressurepot-lg.jpg


Alumilite
 
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(GeneralMayhem @ Mar 8 2007, 10:48 AM) [snapback]1434750[/snapback]</div>
Eeeeek.

No.

Do NOT buy the cheapie Harbor Freight Pressure Pot.

I belong ton a couple differrent casting groups on Yahoo, and there have been horror stories about the bolts failing on that pot. Very dangerous. The Alumilite Pressure Pot is the one you seek...

pressurepot-lg.jpg


Alumilite
[/b]
Click to expand...

$187 for the Alumilite pot, that is an Eeeeek in itself... You can purchase top quality pots all day for less then that on ebay

The Harbor Freight one is fine and many people use it without issues, just hit up the hardware store after you purchase it and purchase all new GRADE 5 bolts and nuts to replace the hardware and you sholuld be fine... Also get an inline regulator for you compressor and make sure you don't go over the 60psi rating...

Probably 90% of the pressure pot issues result from failer to tighten down the lid correctly and regulate the pressure...

And if you don't want to go the Harbor Freight one, because of some surrounding issues, I suggest you watch ebay just search "paint pot" and the sorts and you can usually get used ones for under $50 and new ones in the $100 range... I picked up a vintage Mongomery Wards one for $20 delivered on ebay and it has served me for many years, ugly but functional...
 
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Kylash327 @ Mar 8 2007, 11:47 PM) [snapback]1435458[/snapback]</div>
so then you need an air compressor for it, what do those run?
[/b]
Click to expand...

Um, $100 for a cheapy small one...
 
Sorry to resurrect an old thread, but I recently got this harbor freight pot and a bunch of ball valves to seal off all the extra outs on it. The release valve seems to leak and even when that's closed off I still lose all pressure in about 30 mins. That's okay for quick resin, but not for the silicon molds that I'm pressure casting as well.

Anyone solved the leaking problem on this pot?
 
dstephan said:
Anyone solved the leaking problem on this pot?
Click to expand...

The release valve seems to leak
Click to expand...

I would start there... Did you purchase good quality valves? Cheap valves might very well be an issue...

My tank will hold a vacuum for days, the vacuum's nature actually helps promote a better seal on the lid so that shouldn't be an issue... You need to figure out where it's leaking and I suspect it's in a valve or pipe fitting...

If you left the pressure relief valve that came on the tank in place remove it and replace it with a ball valve, its for "pressure" relief not vacuum relief... The vacuum inside the tank will actually suck that valve in by itself, so it's no wonder it would be leaking...
 
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I've been thinking of one of these for a very long time! I also see the Harbor Freight model is also only $80.

Hey exoray, any estimates on about how much money worth of upgrade parts one would spend on the HF model? I speak mainly of the inline regulator + nuts/bolts that you've mentioned. I've already got a good air compressor.

Craigslist might be another good place for people to look for the paint pots :thumbsup
 
SG Merc said:
Hey exoray, any estimates on about how much money worth of upgrade parts one would spend on the HF model?
Click to expand...

It really depends on how fancy you built it out... You could probably get one up and running for about $40, as long as you get a good deal on the gauges... Vacuum gauges are pretty expensive at the retail level, but you can find them on Ebay pretty cheap...

I sent a little more money then necessary because I put a bunch of quick connects on there to make things easier...

I really suggest watching Ebay for tanks, they usually go real cheap, then you can spend the money decking them out...
 
exoray said:
I would start there... Did you purchase good quality valves? Cheap valves might very well be an issue...

My tank will hold a vacuum for days, the vacuum's nature actually helps promote a better seal on the lid so that shouldn't be an issue... You need to figure out where it's leaking and I suspect it's in a valve or pipe fitting...

If you left the pressure relief valve that came on the tank in place remove it and replace it with a ball valve, its for "pressure" relief not vacuum relief... The vacuum inside the tank will actually suck that valve in by itself, so it's no wonder it would be leaking...
Click to expand...

Thanks, I'll try replacing the relief valve. As far as I can tell, that's the only place it seems to be leaking.
 
So let me get this straight...you can use a pressure pot as a vacuum chamber as well? I'm only asking as I am interested in getting a vacuum chamber for silicone casting, but don't have the $500+ for the one listed on Smoothon's site. Would I need a vacuum pump hooked up to it?

Thanks in advance for any info....
 
LordVdr said:
So let me get this straight...you can use a pressure pot as a vacuum chamber as well?
Click to expand...

Yes... As far as paint pressure pots... Personally I wouldn't use a pressure cooker pot as they are generally a MUCH weaker design, and I would NEVER use a pressure cooker pot as a pressure tank...

Would I need a vacuum pump hooked up to it?
Click to expand...

Yes, you can get the cheapy venturi one from Harbor Freight if you have a decent air compressor, or you can look around for an electric one... I have lucked out since they outlawed unlicensed servicing of many freons there are a bunch of AC unit vacuum pumps out on the market from handymen that used to do it, and no longer can... They can be found at garage sales and even Ebay pretty reasonable...

but don't have the $500+ for the one listed on Smoothon's site.
Click to expand...

I was at a Smoothon distributor last week and saw that tank in person, it's real nice, and the additional size would be welcomed, but like you it's a little too rich for me and my needs...
 
LordVdr said:
So let me get this straight...you can use a pressure pot as a vacuum chamber as well? I'm only asking as I am interested in getting a vacuum chamber for silicone casting, but don't have the $500+ for the one listed on Smoothon's site. Would I need a vacuum pump hooked up to it?

Thanks in advance for any info....
Click to expand...

LordVdr said:
are there any online tutorials on how to set it all up?
Click to expand...

If your looking for info on your own vac chamber, there's one here that shows how to build the equivalent to Alumilite's here . Pipe can be gotten from evilbay, look up the store: ShortPile Plastics to get short sections of 8-24 inch pvc sewer pipe. You may want to check with a local builder/contractor or city water dept. for some throw-away type pieces you might have or pay a small fee/donation for also.
 
interesting thanks will see what vac pumps are around


cheech9898 said:
If your looking for info on your own vac chamber, there's one here that shows how to build the equivalent to Alumilite's here . Pipe can be gotten from evilbay, look up the store: ShortPile Plastics to get short sections of 8-24 inch pvc sewer pipe. You may want to check with a local builder/contractor or city water dept. for some throw-away type pieces you might have or pay a small fee/donation for also.
Click to expand...
 
Being the poor cheap dude that i am i have in the past used a 5 gallon pail , a shop vac and a piece of plexiglass before with fair results. That pail method did remove alot but not all of the air bubbles. The other method i use alot is the claying half casts.
taclay.jpg


this way you pour your silicone over your half clayed subject and all the air bubbles rise to the top and away from your subject. When it dries flip it over, remove clay, apply mold release and pour the second half.

Sorry to get off topic:lol I do need a pressure pot myself and am watching this thread with great interest.
 
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