With all the info, think I'm getting closer. I just ordered a 70 lb. pressure release valve from Amazon (auto parts guys were clueless, something I've observed more than once in the past.) I have a pressure regulator and cleaner system in the line from my compressor. It's always been set to 80 lb. So the question remains, do I really need to replace the HF regulator and gauge, or can I be reasonably confident that I'm OK with that set-up? If you feel I should ditch them anyway, can you recommend replacements that hit the "sweet spot" between function/safety and cost? Russ
Russ, if you have found a safety valve at the correct pressure you want, that is the simplest way to get around, may not be the fastest way but, I also understand that, a lot of the "stuff" I do, when it comes to tools/equipment modifications, isn't something that everyone is either comfortable/confident or experience to do so, I accept that modifications can be dangerous if not done properly.
The problem with those cheap pots is that, you get what you paid for, they are able to do the job but aren't as safe and or reliable as the quality ones.
And while a medium quality pressure pot can be setup to function as efficiently as any Binks or other specialised pots, the mistake that many people make is to want to save money on the pot and buy a HF type pot, but then, they start to want all these modifications to match the better pots, not realising that, by the time they finished, they spend weeks trying to get stuff, spend the time trying to make the modifications but because they don't know really what they are doing or have the correct tools for the job, they get struck with things like, different threads, different size parts and a variety of situations that become real, as a result.
Frustration sets in, wasted time start to be annoying and all the initial excitement of trying to cast they first blanks, fall into the "too damn difficult" basket, and people move away from it.
Now, one would think that, this situation would suit me well, as I make cast blanks for sale on my eBay store, and if everyone is casting their own, I won't sell any, right...??? WRONG, I have always encouraged and help others to set up their casting gear, some the exact guys that have been buying my blanks however, I still invite them to my place to show them how everything is done, or showing/sharing it all, here on IAP.
There will be always new turners wanting to start, every single day, they will want to try the cast blanks when they start seeing them on pens, they may one day buy they own casting equipment but for some time, they will be struggling to set themselves to get going with the turning, they will require the supply of the blanks, even if for a short period of time so, I will always have some cast blanks ready for these occasions and I will be the first person to ask then if they want to learn how to make them, they may be able to learn how to cast what is available to them however, there will be always the "stuff" that George has, that they won't have to cast themselves so, if they want some, they will look me up, simple...!:biggrin:
Ones of the things Russ that you may have to consider to invest on, is to buy a quality gasket on eBay for that pot, they are notorious to leak, any gaskets provided by the pot seller will be the exact same ones as the one that came with the pot so, if you get sick and tired of the lid leaks, a good gasket should set you back about $30.00
Remove anything from the pot that you will not need and while you are working on it, any fitting that will stay, remove it, and put some thread tape or any other type of thread sealant, and put it back together, at least you will know that, any leaks are not from the parts you have sealed...!
Good luck and hang in there, a few setbacks are part of life, you will get lots of fun times with it, as soon as you have it all together...:wink::biggrin:!
Cheers
George
