What Pot Size?

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gbpens

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Is a 2 1/2 gal pot large enough to cast pen blanks or is the 5 gal pot a better way to go? Also, what is the minimum psi needed to cast the resin pen blanks?
 
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I have 2 Binks 2.5 gallons pots and just got my hands on 2 Graco 5 gallon pots for a heck of a deal. They were too good of a deal to pass up so I bought them. After getting them set up, I can see where I will prefer my smaller pots 99% of the time. Actually, I am now even thinking of selling 1 or 2 of the 5 gallons pots to buy 1 or 2 more 2.5 gallon pots. They are much bigger than I need and are much more cumbersome to work with. The lid is much heavier and there are 6 clamps to tighten instead of 4. It also takes a LOT longer to get them up to pressure, even with an 80 gallon compressor, than my smaller pots. I would highly recommend a good quality 2.5 gallon pot over a 5 gallon pot any day for normal pen blank casting.

As for minimum psi...that is a very arguable subject and it depends on what you are planning to cast. If you are doing just resin, then lower pressure will do fine. If you are doing complex embedded objects with lost of surface area, then higher pressure is quite helpful.

Personally, I cast everything at 80 psi but then again, I have ASME Certified pots that are safe and capable of casting at that pressure and I do not do any straight resin casting.
 
Curtis, rather than getting rid of the 5 gal pots, why not make up some spacers out of maple to fill part of the volume when you don't need the full 5 gals?
 
That's what I do...

beck3906 said:
Curtis, rather than getting rid of the 5 gal pots, why not make up some spacers out of maple to fill part of the volume when you don't need the full 5 gals?
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Hello,

I have two 15 gallon pressure pots currently (1 CATechnologies, 1 AOM), with 2 more on the way very soon. :) When I pressure cast small items in them (21" high x 14.5" wide), I use wooden trays/sliding tray runners (depending on orientation) inside the pot to bring the level of the items closer to the top/middle of the pot. It saves you back if you're doing a lot of casting and just makes everything easier. :)

I also modified my pots somewhat by replacing the inexpensive 2" pressure gauges that came with both pots with a fully stainless steel, fluid filled 4" gauge with Swiss internal parts and a glass front lens. Cost of these gauges was and additional $145.00 per pot. I'm looking at 30 gallon pressure pots now to get additional interior space, but them bad boys are pricey bruddah - $5,895.00 each! :-o Cheers!
 
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30 gallon? Holy cow, you'll need to build some library stairs to get in and out to put stuff on the bottom! lol :wink:
 
gbpens said:
Is a 2 1/2 gal pot large enough to cast pen blanks or is the 5 gal pot a better way to go? Also, what is the minimum psi needed to cast the resin pen blanks?
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How many blanks are you wanting to do? How often are you doing it?

30 galon is overkill if you're only doing 5 at a time.
 
Padre said:
30 gallon? Holy cow, you'll need to build some library stairs to get in and out to put stuff on the bottom! lol :wink:
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Hello,

Yup, the 30 gallon base tank (not including lid or regulator height) is 34.5" tall, internal diameter is 19.75," each pot weighs ~ 240 lbs and will set you back over $6,000.00 each with shipping. Now that's what I call a "Big Gulp" bruddah. :-o Cheers!
 
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I have a 2.5 gallon and it is perfect for working w/ Alumilite. I can cast up to 6 blanks at one time with my molds and that is pushing it due to the short pot life of Alumilite. I am in the market for another pot and will get another 2.5. I was looking at the 5gal but I cant fill it so why spend the money on it.
 
Humm...

Russianwolf said:
MesquiteMan said:
It also takes a LOT longer to get them up to pressure, even with an 80 gallon compressor, than my smaller pots. .
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I had a feeling that was going to be an issue.
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Hello,

Well I do not know how you define "LONGER," but I can fill my 15 gallon pots to casting pressure less than 30 seconds, give or take. I have not actually measured the time, but it's not long at all. Maybe your compressor does not deliver as much air as mine? I also have an 80 gallon compressor, with a 5HP motor. I will run a test today and report back on how long it actually takes to fully pressurize an empty pot just for grins... :)
 
I have a 2.5 gallon pp from Gleempaint. I built a little "wedding cake" style contraption so I can actually do 15 blanks at a time if I wanted. Made it out of 3/4" dowel and some 1/4 plywood (cut round). I would invest the money into getting a certified 2.5 gallon pot, one that will last a long time.
 
Pot Fill Time Test Completed...

MesquiteMan said:
It also takes a LOT longer to get them up to pressure, even with an 80 gallon compressor, than my smaller pots. .
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Well, I just measured my pot filling time... Empty 15 gallon pressure pot to 80psi = 20.01 seconds. Empty pot to 110 psi = 31.21 seconds. Measured with a Swiss made stopwatch that is very accurate. I'm sure that smaller pots fill faster due to less interior volume, but 20 to 30 seconds is fast to me for my 15 gallon pots. YMMV...
 
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A basic 2.5 gallon pot is all I used for many years, it is just recently that I aquired a couple of 5 gallon pots and a 7.5 gallon along with a 15 gallon pot. For making blanks the 2.5 gallon is still my choice for ease and convenience. And as far as the speed of filling a pot, my little compressor putting out 5.3 cfm does it fast enough but if I really ever find I need to speed it up I have an old I.R. deisel that pumps out 175 cfm and is great for jackhammers.
 
I can't help with the original question. :frown:

Curtis have you given any thought to using the new pots as vacuum chambers for drying wood instead of flogging them? In other words a vacuum kiln. Joshua Salesin published a little book on making them from large PVC pipe. Your pots would shortcut most of the build and would let you dry wood perfectly for stabilizing and casting quickly.

Vacuum Kiln Drying for Woodworkers – How to build and use a vacuum kiln for drying wood

I have the first printing (the new edition is a few pages bigger) and a little kiln is on my someday list. :rolleyes:
 
Or the book is available on Amazon if you want to save on the shipping -- Same price of $19.95 either source.
 
Cool!

wolftat said:
A basic 2.5 gallon pot is all I used for many years, it is just recently that I aquired a couple of 5 gallon pots and a 7.5 gallon along with a 15 gallon pot. For making blanks the 2.5 gallon is still my choice for ease and convenience. And as far as the speed of filling a pot, my little compressor putting out 5.3 cfm does it fast enough but if I really ever find I need to speed it up I have an old I.R. deisel that pumps out 175 cfm and is great for jackhammers.
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Hello,

175cfm eh? Now that's a Texas sized air compressor! You 'da man bruddah! :) I'm looking at getting a new 120 gallon air compressor that puts out more than double the CFM of my current rig and is only 65db when running (sound enclosure around motor limits noise), but you'll still beat me like a dog with that monster compressor. I'll bet that bad boy drinks the diesel like a thirsty horse at a watering trough... Still quite impressive though and way cool! Take care!
 
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2.5 gallon Binks or Divillbus is still my casting pot and size of choice.

I have a smaller pot I like, BUT it is so small that is difficult to insert even a single mold without spilling resin.
 
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