Pressure pot question

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holisticfitness

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Apr 22, 2012
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14
Location
Baltimore, Maryland
Hi -
I am new to casting and trying to get my pressure pot set up. I purchased a used Binks 2 1/2 gallon pot on Ebay. After hooking it up to my compressor and making sure all fittings were not leaking, I was able to get the pressure up to 60 PSI in the pot. At that point, I can hear and slightly feel air leaking around the rim. I tried it twice and the leak was not in the same place each time. The seal does not feel too dry and I don't see or feel a defect in the rim or the seal. I think I have the lid tightened down enough. Any suggestions?
Thanks in advance!
 
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If it leaks as the pressure gets high, I would GUESS the clamps are not holding tightly enough to bear that pressure.

If you have an escape valve, let the pressure out, when it starts to leak, noting the pressure reading. Tighten the clamps and build pressure again. IF it starts leaking at a HIGHER pressure, you can be fairly certain it is the clamps.

Because I am not familiar with your pot, I would caution you to be certain the joint that secures the clamp to the outside of the pot is not cracked or rusted, before conducting this experiment.
 
I had the same problem. Didn't realize I was not tightening enough. I tried tightening as hard as I could with bare hands and the problem was solved. Now I take it to 60 PSI and no problems.
One thing I noticed, air would leak off and pressure dropped to about 45 and I still had no bubbles. Alumilite says you only need to go to 40 PSI and although I have not tried that low, it looks like it will work.
Thanks, Gary

Resin Craft, Seed Beads 8 0 items in A Country Craft Supply store on eBay!
 
holisticfitness said:
Hi -
I am new to casting and trying to get my pressure pot set up. I purchased a used Binks 2 1/2 gallon pot on Ebay. After hooking it up to my compressor and making sure all fittings were not leaking, I was able to get the pressure up to 60 PSI in the pot. At that point, I can hear and slightly feel air leaking around the rim. I tried it twice and the leak was not in the same place each time. The seal does not feel too dry and I don't see or feel a defect in the rim or the seal. I think I have the lid tightened down enough. Any suggestions?
Thanks in advance!
Click to expand...

First off 60 is high pressure. You should NEVER go higher than that you have potential bomb. There's only one thing I go to 60 and that is something like shredded money. I found normal pressure about 25 is more than enough for most.

Make sure your seal is seated you may have to take it out and check the seat in the lid to be sure it is clean no rust or pits or welds like that. Make sure your rubber seal is in good shape maybe turn it over when it is out.

VERY IMPORTANT check you welds on your clamps where they attach to the pot be sure they are in good shape with no cracks what so ever. If a pot is going to fail that is the most likely spot. If a clamp slips off or fails you don't want to be any were near it. It could punch a hole in the roof take a look at this thread HERE

Now after the safety check this is what I do...mark your lid so you put it on is the same place the same way every time. tighten the handles down slowly and evenly rotating back and forth to keep the lid even keep tightening until you can get as tight as you can by hand. I have 3 pots and only one can hold 60 psi over night. One leaks down to about 50 the other leaks down to about 40.

Good Luck be safe...
.
 
Try putting a little Vasoline Petroleum Jelly on the seal, then put the lid back on and tighten the wing nuts in a "criss cross" pattern. When you think you have them as tight as they will go, tighten them 1/4 turn more. Pressure up and check for leaks with soapy water.
 
Jeesh, come on guys !!!

If you are going to offer advice on stuff like this then you really should be suitably experienced or qualified to give that advice.
Of all the tools and machinery in a typical workshop, a pressure pot can easily be the most dangerous.

It's a second hand pot off of FleaBay for goodness sake and the OP is a novice!!!. It could have been sold BECAUSE it's damaged and leaks.

Pay $50 and get it tested by a pro. It's a Binks pot and unless it's damaged, then it shouldn't leak before the pressure relief valve lets go.
 
Hi Dawn,
We were ALL novices once:biggrin:

Here is a place that looks promising. They do testing and calibration.
So not only can they check the integrity of the pot, but they will also set the pressure relief valve to the original spec.

Hydratec

I think it's not too far from Maryland / Baltimore

I just googled....Pnuematic tool testing repair Baltimore.

Good luck in your search and be safe:wink:
 
Hi - thanks for caring about the newbies safety. I want to make sure I stay in one piece. I just tried Hydratec and they don't do this type of work. I may try Grainger and see if they can help.
Thanks again!
 
Better chance is to call a local Binks dealer, They may say bring it in and we will sell you a new gasket. Or a local paint supplier like Sherman-Williams, or Benjamin-Moore or any painting contractor supplier.
:clown:
 
I am not an expert, but it seems like you could simply fill it full of water and pressure test it at some safety factor level. For instance, if a pressure vessel was to be used at 30 psi it could be hydraulically loaded to 45 psi and given it didn't fail, it would have a 1.5 safety factor. Just a thought... Of course it might fail
 
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