Clear Plastic Cover for HF PP

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tonyccw

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Joined
Dec 13, 2007
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Location
NYC, NY, USA
Does anyone know where I can get a clear plastic cover for the Harbor Freight Pressure Pot? Or have directions to making my own? Thanks.
 
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I don't know where a pre made clear cover could be found, but you could buy a piece of 0.5" Polycarbonate (Lexan). http://www.onlinemetals.com/merchant.cfm?pid=7460&step=4&showunits=inches&id=270&top_cat=181

Cut it round on a bandsaw around 11" diameter.

Drill and tap a hole for a pressure fitting in the center.

Use that fitting to hold the circle against a chuck and true up the circle with a bowl gouge and bring it down to 10 3/4".

Use a parting tool to cut a shallow 1/8" groove that would fit the rim of the PP.

Put a thin film of silicone cauk in the groove to seal the system.

Glue on some thin metal plates so that the wing nuts will not dig holes in the polycarbonate.

Install your pressure fittings.
 
Yeah, Monty, I remember that. I believe it actually imploded into five, big pieces. I think he was looking through it at the time. Good thing he was using a vacuum that time! You wouldn't catch me dead using a plastic lid under pressure. (But you'd catch me alive and kicking using the metal one!) :biggrin:
 
beck3906 said:
Where is that transparent aluminum supplier when you need it?


Spoken like a true Trekkie. :biggrin:
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Needing to transport a whale? :eek:

Kidding aside, do not do it if possible. But if you really have to do it...do not replace the entire cover. Just cut a small "window" (smallest possible) from your existing cover then put a thick, oversized piece INSIDE and epoxy it on.
 
He was using corian with a 3 inch hole over which a piece of Lexan was epoxied. The cover and window were used for watching the resin as it bubbled while using vacuum. I know because I was in his shop that day:biggrin::biggrin::biggrin:...very scary:eek::eek:
Do a good turn daily!
Don

rjwolfe3 said:
Wasnt he using plexiglass rather then lexan? My understanding is that Lexan is much, much stronger then plexiglass.
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Thanks. Needing to see the bubbling is why I need a window. Missed out one with a clear lid in the for sales a couple of weeks back because I thought the size was too small. Finding out now that's the size available on the market. The search continues.
 
Several people use 1 gal. pickle jars for vacuum, which allows you to see everything. It wouldn't work for pressure, but if you wanted to use the pickle jar for vacuum and then switch it over to the HFPP for pressure, that should give you what you want. I don't know exactly who's made the pickle vacuum pots, but I think Curtis Seebeck (MesquiteMan) uses it.:cowboy:
 
It didn't explode, it imploded. I know, because I was there watching the PR bubble and then BOOOOOOMMMMM! and the pieces fell into the paint tank.:biggrin::biggrin::biggrin:

Do a good turn daily!
Don
 
If a pickle jar concept has a wide opening like the HF PP, that would work. I can look into some of the food prep models to see if there's something I need.

I do metal casting as well as resin, using investments in a bowl, and now need to replace my vacuum table that bit the dust. Figure a PP and vac setup would be ideal.
 
its_virgil said:
He was using corian with a 3 inch hole over which a piece of Lexan was epoxied. The cover and window were used for watching the resin as it bubbled while using vacuum. I know because I was in his shop that day:biggrin::biggrin::biggrin:...very scary:eek::eek:
Do a good turn daily!
Don
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Gosh, Don, that is amazing that you happened to be visiting that day! :rolleyes:

I hope you gave this guy a stern lecture on safety!!!:):tongue::)
 
Hey Cav,
I guess you and I are the only ones who remember who this stupid doofus was that used corian with a hole in it as a lid for a vacuum chamber. I still visit his shop but he now uses an ultrasonic jewelery cleaner instead of the vacuum pump... I feel much safer there. :biggrin::biggrin:
Do a good turn daily!
Don

wdcav1952 said:
Gosh, Don, that is amazing that you happened to be visiting that day! :rolleyes:

I hope you gave this guy a stern lecture on safety!!!:):tongue::)
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Don, Some of us actually do go to the Library here and read the articles.:giggle:

Perhaps it was the double extra-large print. :rolleyes:

Perhaps it was the pictures. :eek:

Yeah, I remember that guy! :wink: He's made quite an impression on me!!
 
Thanks Terry....that was a good impression I hope. If not, you must be thinking of someone else:biggrin:
Any report on the resin from Composites One?
I didn't think that double extra large print would be that heavy.:eek::eek::biggrin::biggrin:
Do a good turn daily!
Don

td said:
Don, Some of us actually do go to the Library here and read the articles.:giggle:

Perhaps it was the double extra-large print. :rolleyes:

Perhaps it was the pictures. :eek:

Yeah, I remember that guy! :wink: He's made quite an impression on me!!
Click to expand...
 
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Is it for vacuum or pressure? All of my vacuum chambers have 1" thick plexiglas covers that allow me to keep track of the progress while I'm stabilizing. Early on I learned (the hard way) not to drill any holes in the plex as it creates a place for cracks to begin which can and will lead to a catastrophic failure. When mine cracked and imploded it sent shards of 1/2" lexan everywhere and even put a nice sized hole in my ceiling. I was very fortunate to escape uninjured as I was standing pretty close by when it happened.

All of my fittings are now routed through the cylindrical chamber walls. A much stronger shape for withstanding the types of pressure they are subjected to.

A good source for plexiglas, lexan etc..... is Laird Plastics. They will sell in small quantities and their prices are fair.

Call toll free 800-333-0608
 
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