Pressure pot question...

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Fat Boy

Fat Boy

Member
Joined
Oct 7, 2010
Messages
86
Location
Hudson, Fl
I have finally completed my HF pressure pot conversion and after replacing EVERY fitting that came with the pot, i now have no leaks (so i thought). I cautiously aired up the pot to 20, 30, 40, then 50 with no leaks anywhere. I disconnected the pot and left it overnight and when i came out to the shop this morning it was at about 20 lbs. from 50.... i have read up on the problem and found that most people say the seal for the lid is where it leaks from and some sort of lubrication may fix it. I tightened the clamps very tight and equally so that would eliminate that question. i am casting PR for the moment then i will make the switch to water clear alumilite from what i read that is the best and most common but i am open for suggestions on that too.

My main question is there any harm in leaving the air line hooked up to the pot overnight so it holds pressure? This has been a long and expensive journey into casting so i appologize for the newbie questions but i did not see an answer to this on here anywhere.

Thank you in advance for any help you offer.
 
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I haven't done this yet but have read a lot about it. I think that with PR you only need about an hour of pressure and with Alumilite you only need about 20 min. The only problem that I could see with leaving your hose connected would be if your regulator had a problem and put too much pressure in your tank. Once again i haven't done this yet but I am looking into casting.
 
How are you unhooking the hose and pressure without loosing any pressure? If pressure isn't maintained from a source it seems like it would gradually decrease. I'm new at this and look forward to some answers from people who are doing this.

Did you do your conversion by using the article in the Library? What is your information source for the conversion?

Thanks and good luck.

Martin

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Look for the leak the same way they do on tires. Pressure the pot up to 50, disconnect and then place the entire pot under water and see where the bubble(s) come out. It may be a very slow leak so be patient when watching.
 
I use vasiline on the seal of my HF pot. On my pressure pot I use to crank the clamps down really tight and the leaks seem to get worse. After putting some vasiline on the seal I tightened it down but not as tight as I did before and it seemed to seal better. I'm guessing that the vasiline let the seal move a little and seat better in the lid.
Mike
 
I use silicone plumbers grease you can get from the local hardware on the rubber seal. Remove the seal and clean and lightly lube both sides. I set the regulator and cast at 55 lbs. and leave the hose connected all nigh long. Actually close to 24 hrs. While some say that amount of time is not needed, I have had good success with my carbon fiber blanks doing this and customers have given me good feed back on how nice they turn. This method works well for me and if it works, I see no need to change it. Oh ya, I use pr.
 
You can also look for the leak using very, very, soapy water. The leak will blow many bubbles very quickly. I usually paint it on with a brush but use whatever you have. Turn the pot upside down if necessary for convenience to check around the lid.
 
MartinPens said:
How are you unhooking the hose and pressure without loosing any pressure? If pressure isn't maintained from a source it seems like it would gradually decrease. I'm new at this and look forward to some answers from people who are doing this.

Did you do your conversion by using the article in the Library? What is your information source for the conversion?

Thanks and good luck.

Martin

Sent from my iPad using Forum Runner
Click to expand...

I have a shut off valve at the inlet so i kill the air supply and maintain pressure. I read over the tutorial many times over but i did my own variation to it less the vaccum part.

i tried the soapy water thing thats how i found that ALL the harbor freight supplied fittings leaked. i think my next step will be a complete submersal of the pot under pressure, i will try the vasoline trick first and see, wish me luck i am casting my first blanks (hopefully) this weekend.:biggrin:
 
I have the same pot and I did the same thing you did, replace everything on it, nut I have always left my compressor hooked up to maintain pressure. I never thought to disconnect it and expect the pressure to stay the same. I also don't use so much pressure. I keep my PSI under 30.
 
Craftdiggity said:
I have the same pot and I did the same thing you did, replace everything on it, nut I have always left my compressor hooked up to maintain pressure. I never thought to disconnect it and expect the pressure to stay the same. I also don't use so much pressure. I keep my PSI under 30.
Click to expand...
Mine leaked at first, I put it under as much vacuum as I could get and left it that way for several days. I took a piece of tape and made marks on the lid and adjoining place on the tank for reference. The constant vacuum forced a tight seal and made a great "sweet spot" in the seal. I just line up the tape to be sure I seat the lid the same every time and have no problems holding 50 lbs. for several days. I also eliminated all factory fittings I believe.

Landon
 
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Looks like I'm off to the store to replace the fittings on my just purchased HF pot. I think I hear another slow leak.... It sounds like this hisss$$$$$$$$$$$$$$.

Martin

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MartinPens said:
Looks like I'm off to the store to replace the fittings on my just purchased HF pot. I think I hear another slow leak.... It sounds like this hisss$$$$$$$$$$$$$$.

Martin

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Click to expand...


Do yourself a favor and replace all the fittings, they are cheap junk. the regulator seems to be holding up (so far) but i have a new one on order. very soapy water will show even tiny leaks.
 
Be sure to wrap the male threads with teflon tape. Leave the lead thread clean to help start the fitting. Metal to metal threads tend to want to allow some leakage. DAMHIKT
Charles
 
This might be a DUMB question - but one that I need to ask anyway...lol
The pipe that goes down into the paint pot seems like it would be in the way for the purpose of casting. Is it best to cut this short?
Thanks
Kevin
 
Are you guys just getting your parts at Home Depot or Lowe's? Anything in particular I should be looking for? Thanks for the heads up.

Martin

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MartinPens said:
Are you guys just getting your parts at Home Depot or Lowe's? Anything in particular I should be looking for? Thanks for the heads up.

Martin

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Click to expand...

i got mine at home depot just because i am not a lowes fan. i brought my lid in there and assembled it on the plumbing isle. got some funny looks but i only made one trip:biggrin:
 
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