Resin Presure Cast Pot

Darkov · Post by **Darkov** » Wed Jun 28, 2006 6:34 am

Can anyone tell me if this item can be converted to a presure pot for casting resin parts.
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/D ... mber=93119

If so what would I need to do to it to convert it. Or is it fine as it is.

Thanks
Pete

DennisH · Post by **DennisH** » Wed Jun 28, 2006 10:17 am

Sure can, I think it's the standard "get started in pressure casting" tank that gets used most.

I put one connector for the airhose coupling on one air inlet and the safety release/pressure gauge on the other. Plus there is a siphon tube on the inside that you'll want to remove as well.

Internal dimensions are about 9" in diameter and about 9" deep. The bottom is concave so you may want to put a round board in the bottom for a "floor". That would make it 7" or 8" deep then.

Not really big, but good enough for small molds.

HTH

*EDIT* Dang! That's a great sale price. I didn't check the price the first time I read your post. Last time I looked at them, they were around $99.00 U.S.

Dennis

Sparky · Post by **Sparky** » Wed Jun 28, 2006 10:29 am

I have two and also use them for vacuuming, with a homebrew lid (always wear saftey googles mmkk).

http://www.kc6sye.com/techmages_3_11_04.html
http://www.kc6sye.com/techmages_10_10_05.html

Got some gribbly molds in them right now.

Curtw_944 · Post by **Curtw_944** » Wed Jun 28, 2006 2:12 pm

I wounder if the 39.99 price is internet only sales??? Will have to visit my local store now...

Curt

Darkov · Post by **Darkov** » Wed Jun 28, 2006 2:35 pm

Not sure if it's internet only. I called the local HF here in Lansing and they said that they were out of stock. So I ordered 2 off there web site. I figured at $39.00 I couldn't pass it up. I know it's a little small but I mostly want it for casting small parts for greeblies so I don't have to buy multiple kits.

Sparky · Post by **Sparky** » Wed Jun 28, 2006 2:40 pm

That is a good deal, you can take the internet price (print out of the page) in and they will honor the price. But Our local store is all out too (both of them). So I ordered 2 as well. They usually only nock the price down to 69.99 here.

BTW I added some silcon grease to the screws on the pots i got. One of them is due for a re coating. And i changed out the rubber gasket. but the lube is needed to help prevent resin drips sticking in the threads.

Antenociti · Post by **Antenociti** » Thu Jun 29, 2006 5:30 pm

&^%$Â£

You've no idea how long i've spent looking for a decent price pressure pot over here in the UK.

Top banana folks - you're all stars!

(Oh, they ship internationally btw - hence the joyous outburst!)

qc · Post by qc » Mon Jul 03, 2006 10:57 am

i'm a little new to the casting game...
i want to have a pot for pressure and vacuum (RTV and resin)...
and that pot looks good...
I have an iwata sprint jet...assuming i can hook that up to that...but how do i pull a vacuum? Do I need a special compressor (instead) that does both (pressure and vacuum?) or is there a special valve?..
I feel silly asking...sorry

thx

Darkov · Post by **Darkov** » Mon Jul 03, 2006 1:21 pm

I just got a postcard from Harbor Freight that the pressure pot is Back Ordered.

I was hoping to use it as I'm on vaccation for the next 2 weeks.

Oh Well...something to look forward to later I guess

tonyG2 · Post by **tonyG2** » Mon Jul 03, 2006 3:02 pm

You've no idea how long i've spent looking for a decent price pressure pot over here in the UK.

If you get one and it works, post a report. I'm generally OK with normal atmo pressure casting provided I mix both rubber and resin carefully but any advantage is welcome.

Antenociti · Post by **Antenociti** » Mon Jul 03, 2006 6:55 pm

tonyG2 wrote:
You've no idea how long i've spent looking for a decent price pressure pot over here in the UK.

If you get one and it works, post a report. I'm generally OK with normal atmo pressure casting provided I mix both rubber and resin carefully but any advantage is welcome.

Getting two but they're on back order until 21st - will defo~ post back results.

Sparky · Post by **Sparky** » Tue Jul 04, 2006 8:56 am

tonyG2 wrote:
You've no idea how long i've spent looking for a decent price pressure pot over here in the UK.

If you get one and it works, post a report. I'm generally OK with normal atmo pressure casting provided I mix both rubber and resin carefully but any advantage is welcome.

They do work, the two I have I got from habror freight.

http://www.kc6sye.com/techmages_4_24_06.html

http://www.kc6sye.com/techmages_11_3_04.html

Spacephrawg · Post by **Spacephrawg** » Tue Jul 04, 2006 5:10 pm

where does one buy a pressure pot that doesnt need to be modified out of the box? Fortunatly my price range is flexible, though i'd like to keep it low. Do these things run into the thousands of dollars or something? Whats the deal? WHat key words to do I look for?

Thanks.

Darkov · Post by **Darkov** » Tue Jul 04, 2006 6:09 pm

Here is one place to get a Resin Pressure Pot.
http://www.hobbyengineering.com/H2253.html

There are other places. Just do a google search under "resin pressure pot" or "Resin Pressure casting"

Antenociti · Post by **Antenociti** » Tue Jul 04, 2006 6:12 pm

These resin or mold casting pressure pots are the same high quality pressure pot used for painting, except the liner and fluid tube has been removed. These tanks have a flat bottom, where as other brands have a round bottom.

http://www.finishsystems.com/resincasti ... epots.html

Sparky · Post by **Sparky** » Tue Jul 04, 2006 8:16 pm

You can use the pressure pot with out replacing the seal. If you're using fast setting resin it only needs pressure for the 15 minuets of cure time. Even the long set I use is only 2-4 hour full cure. I was finding that the rubber gasket that comes with the pot leaks out air slowly over night. Also I didn't like how hard I had to crank down on the lid to get it to hold the pressure, but you don't need to replace it straight away.

The air fittings I use came from harbor freight too, 1.99 for a pack of four. I use the quick connects on the airbrush too.

Darkov · Post by **Darkov** » Tue Jul 11, 2006 10:51 am

Yeah!!!! Got my order today.

Also if you missed out on the $39 sale. HF has them on sale again but for $49

. Still a good deal.

Just need to go down the the Hardware store to get the fittings I need.

Quick question for those who already have these. Can you attach a pressure gauge to the top of the pressure relief valve?

Here is where I mean
Part

Sparky · Post by **Sparky** » Tue Jul 11, 2006 12:21 pm

Got mine too.

The problem I had with the pressure gauge prevoiusly is that the fitting it almost a compression still deal, so tightening it so it didn't hiss air was very difficult. Every tim you bump or grab at it you chance lossening it, it such a big leaver that it doesn't take much force to lossen the joint.

If it came with a rubber compression washer chuck it and get the plastic/teflon ones at the hardware store, if you plan on using the gauge.

Darkov · Post by **Darkov** » Tue Jul 11, 2006 6:15 pm

Well I got the fittings I needed. Got it all assembled. I mounted just the pressure gauge where the regulator would have gone. There is a set screw inside the fitting for the regulator that just needed to be thightened down. That way the gauge doesn't spin around. I used teflon tape on all the fittings to ensure they wouldn't leak. I hooked it up and brought the pressure up to 50psi. I didn't have any leaks.....I let it sit like that for 5 hours....still no drop in pressure.

Here is what it looks like after I finished assembling it.
Pressure_Pot

Now I just need to get a vacuum pump for the other pot so I can degass RTV for molds.

Sparky · Post by **Sparky** » Tue Jul 11, 2006 6:18 pm

I suggest greasing your threads, just to help keep resin from sticking in there, and ease tightening/loosening.

Antenociti · Post by **Antenociti** » Sat Jul 15, 2006 5:29 am

Is it worth buying anything else from HF for the pot when buying these?

As im shipping themto the UK figure it best to get any fittings at the same time - any suggestions (with links if poss~)?

Migmaker · Post by **Migmaker** » Sat Jul 15, 2006 9:53 pm

Hmm,
For when you start presseure casting,rarely need to go over 32-35 psi... 50 is way too much and not necessary..just in case you didnt know, only a suggestion of course , take it or leave it...

Best,
Will

Sparky · Post by **Sparky** » Sun Jul 16, 2006 4:04 am

Off the top of my head I'd say a pack of the quick connect brass fittings.

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/D ... mber=42444

Some extra air line hose/
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/D ... mber=54075

Here's a pile of goodies that covers both items above:
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/D ... mber=91860

The blow gun is very nice, I use it to dust off parts just before molding (when they are down in the mold box), or after wet sanding.

This pot is alittle different than the ones I've gotten before. It looks like I'll need and adapater for the paint gun attachment point, and a plug for the gauage mounting point.

The other thing you might want is a cut off valve, If you just use a the female quick connect connection you will need to use a male connector or open ended hoose to bleed the air off. Or you could use the pressure relief valve, but that might take some time not sure how much volume it lets out.
Not sure if this will have the right threads, I got mine from home depot.
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/d ... mber=30468

here it is a husky 1/4 in NPT ball valve:
sorry homedepot's site is junk, and won't give me a link that will work.

Darkov · Post by **Darkov** » Sun Jul 16, 2006 8:27 am

The pressure relief valve is more than adequate. I have been using 40psi for casting and the PV will empty the pot in about 3 seconds. Makes a hell of a lot of noise though. But that extra valve may come in handy.

Sparky · Post by **Sparky** » Sun Jul 16, 2006 10:56 am

It's mainly so that I can have the inlets out outlets setup the way they are.

A connection cable has a male on one end and a female on the other. Devices have male connections, so that the compressor line always is 'caped' with a female. A pot has a male to recieve an entension cord as though it were any other air tool, this way the extension cord works for any device blow gun, paint gun, grinder. The pot has a female so that another pot can be dasiy chained via another extension cord. The pot's male connector has a ball valve after it so, a pot can be filled and disconnected. This isn't needed if you have a dedicated port in an airline for it. Eventually I'll have an airline setup like that, with each port having it's own regulator. For now I have a 3 head manifold. Yes we have used it, on big group porjects he had 2 guys air brushing at one time.
BTW the 3 port mainfold was from Harbor frieght, it will need 3 female quick connects with threaded connections for the outputs, I use a short hose with male quick connect for the other end.

Antenociti · Post by **Antenociti** » Mon Jul 17, 2006 12:00 pm

thanks sparky - appreciate the assist~

Antenociti · Post by **Antenociti** » Fri Jul 28, 2006 7:01 am

Pots arrived today in good order - should get time to get them set up next week but first to make sure i'm doing the right things.

Is the following correct?

1: remove the paint pick up tube (hopefully by breaking the glue-seal and unscrewing it, or if not by sawing it off)
2: Fit the pressure valve, after removing the multiple outlet point section, direct to the safety valve assembly
3: affix air-in/out hose to what was the old fluid outlet adapter

Sparky · Post by **Sparky** » Fri Jul 28, 2006 11:36 am

These pots (they're gray with rubber like internal coating) are different than what I have gotten in the past form in the store. They look nicer (the clamps and internal coating)

I broke off the paint take up pipe trying to remove it with a pipe wrench, so this pot is forever a pressure pot. . . Also it looks like all the fittings are bolted in place, they could be removed and replaced I suppose. Careful with removing the paint pick up pipe, you will need a wrench on the other side of the bolt/thingy it will rotate in place if not. There's a rubber seal on these so I guess they don't leak. We'll have to see how the thing holds pressure over night.

I've been working with one of the ones I got. The brass stud that threads into the bleeder pressure relief pin valve, is an unknown thread. This is the piece that has a chrome thread collar and is used to attach the regulator assembly.

I should like anyone who is sharp with the machining arts and such things to let me know what thread this is. This way I can cap it and avoid having the regulator assembly on the pot, if you've seen the casting corner you'd know why I need to remove this, its tight there and one or to good whacks and the regulator will be leaky and useless. I'd like to use the ball valve/male air line connector the way I have in the past. So far no luck for me. There is a capped port on this manifold, it is a standard 1/4 inch and accepts the male airline connectors fine.

I have a metric and standard tap and die set and tried to figure what the threading is, I'm ready to drill it out and re tap it. I tried a bunch of bolts and a 1/8 inch air line brass plug. It looks like it's somewhere between an 8 and 10 mm bolt, not sure on the threads.

This is not the only place I have seen this thread.

I got a 7 gallon Campbell tank that had a regular bike tire connector on it. This is filled at a gas station or other air supply, then you use it to fill your bike or ball or whatever till the tank gets empty. I removed the bike valve and found that the part that threads into the tanks head (its brass and has a pressure relief valve too) is the same thread as what's used on this paint tank. If I could get something to cap this I could add another 7 gallons of air capacity to the system! I already have the other port on the tank head setup with a female air line connector.

Short answer is you will need to hook up the regulator and use it, or cap the connector, a 1/4 inch plug should fit. You'll have a bump of hardware there to catch and bump on everything.

Unthread the paint pick up tube, or break it off (pipe wrench).

And cap or attach the air line quick connect to the paint exhaust tube.

Antenociti · Post by **Antenociti** » Sun Jul 30, 2006 5:09 pm

Well all the components on both pots have come apart with relative ease and no damage - so no complaints there.

Also the kit of bits you suggested sparky have proven invalauble as i've now got a quick-connect system rigged up without any issue between my compressor and the one pot (plus we cna now also inflate teh car tires without needing to go down the garage!). I just now need to find something to close off the paint "exhaust", probably a ball-valve, but that will need to wait until I get a chance to go into town and find something to fit it.

I snaffled a vacuum pump off ebay for Â£37 that will pump down to 27 inHg also, so the other pot will be a vacuum chamber. Good week all in all so far.

Antenociti · Post by **Antenociti** » Fri Sep 01, 2006 8:43 am

Is the main port out on this thing 1/2 inch? (not the one with the pressure release point on it - the other "fat" pipe)

Trying to get a ball-valve for this is proving a mad saga in the uk... not the pot's fault though, just lack of decent sources of supplies in the UK.

$21USD for a 1/2 inch ball valve btw - Â£11 blooming quid not including postage (Â£4.50 / $8.43USD).

Might be cheaper to get one direct from the USA?