Rite of passage! (pressure pot setup)

[txbatons]

Just like one's first sip of coffee (or beer), first glance at an R rated movie, first pull of a hunting rifle's trigger or the dip of a toe into the ocean, I have passed over into the grown up world of HP pressure pot setup!

The Rube Goldberg-like contraptions repeatedly shown around here taunted me like a school yard bully, but I perservered and assembled all of the needed parts, making the various treks to HF, Lowe's, Home Depot and of course, the liquor store. But I saw the light when I researched and spotted Fire-fyter's simple set up.

With new verve I set out to make the simplest pot I could. I got it all put together last night, pushed the air pressure to 45 psi. I applied the soapy water test and watched as it bubbled like a 3 year old's birthday party.

A quick sip of Shiner Bock and I re-applied the teflon and started again.

I'm happy to report that we're now at about 13 hours and it has yet to drop in pressure!

I will post photos soon, but for all of those nervous mechanically disinclined folks out there....stay the course my friends. It can be done!

 

[dntrost]

So help a brother out!

OK now you have me going so please post a list of materials used. (where you got them)
Instructions for assembly would also help.
I have been waiting for another Shiner Bock buddy to post a simple way to get started. I have picked up the casting resin 4 or 5 times while shopping in Michaels (OK not shopping just carrying the wife's bags and paying) but felt first thing I needed was a already made pressure pot. Since that is not available in my price range next step would be to follow someone with as little technical skills as mine and make one and learn from mistakes (less trips to HD, HF, etc...)

 

[jharvey1309]

Congrats. I can't wait to get mine setup.

 

[jnelson]

Congrats!

My HF pot has been sitting in my garage/workshop for the last two weeks unboxed, taunting me with promises of blanks unseen.

I hope to start on this in the next few days, and join the ranks of the pressurized elite in this group.

 

[txbatons]

Yes, I shall bestow well-earned wisdom to my all-thumbs brethren and friends (oops, I don't have any friends! but that's a different thread!). I'll get my tiny list together and some photos taken once I get back home this afternoon from school. And an update to the amount of pressure leakage.

In the meantime, go to this thread to see my inspiration (I used Firefyter-emt's set up on page 3 of the thread). The thread posts every post three times, so it's a tad annoying to read, but there's some good stuff there.

http://www.penturners.org/forum/showthread.php?t=1250

I haven't ventured into the vacuum arena yet, although I have two HF pumps in the workshop. I have to gain some more confidence before I take that plunge! Meaning, if I don't blow up the garage doing my first casting!

 

[Blind_Squirrel]

OK now you have me going so please post a list of materials used. (where you got them)

With the exception of the pressure/vacuum gauge, I got my parts from Lowes in the tool section where the compressors are.

They say a picture is worth a thousand words: http://www.blindsquirrel.us/Scott/PressurePot/

 

[txbatons]

OK. Here's my incarnation of Scott and Firefyter-emt's pot. I like this because there's not a massive amount of brass. I like Scott's because of the combo gauge that I have yet to find. When I do I'll replace the gauge on my pot.

Since there were leaks everywhere, this version serves me better because I don't have so many places for errors - I need all the help I can get! Teflon tape is a good thing.

I am using a puny air compressor I got last weekend from HP (2 gallon tank) and it takes a couple of pulls to get the pressure up to 45 psi. I am planning on returning to HF to exchange it for a bigger compressor.

The brass fittings were purchased at Lowes, a couple in the plumbing department near the pvc pipes and the other two near the air compressor gadgets (ball valve and the 3/8 to 1/4 coupling). Why they're not all in one place is beyond me! I had the extra male plug from the stuff from HF.

So 5 pieces of brass to get the pot going. Not bad at all. Could've been 4 if I could have found a combination piece to get from the pot to the elbow joint.

Anyways...as promised, here are some pics of my completed pot.....

1st photo - completed pot under pressure; 2nd photo - annotated pic of brass; 3rd photo - 45 psi after 18 hours!

 

[IPD_Mrs]

A quick sip of Shiner Bock and I re-applied the teflon and started again.

Please define quick sip as this may be the most important part of setting this up.

Mike

 

[stolicky]

Good job, Thanks for sharing.

I have yet to venture into the pressure pot world. I certainly see the need to do so, however.

 

[Blind_Squirrel]

I like Scott's because of the combo gauge that I have yet to find. When I do I'll replace the gauge on my pot.

Here's your gauge
http://www.surpluscenter.com/sort.asp?UID=2008072318203564&catname=air&byKeyword=yes&search=30-0-100

 

[MarkHix]

lesser mechanically inclined perspective

I was thinking about this very subject on the way to work this morning. Glad to see you got yours going....any blanks to brag about yet?

I was wonderering for all you greater mechanically inclined folks....when I put one together and it fails, is it better to have the vacuum set up or the pressure set up....seems like vacuum 'cause it would suck all the destruction in while the pressure one would push all the death and destruction out....I could just see myself denting the wife's car (again).