DIY pressure pot?

any links? There was an old thread but I can't find it.
thanks

 

When I was researching for myself I looked around the net and really didn't find any great ones. I think the problem is finding something that can hold up to that amount of pressure. I do mine pressure casting up 40lbs of pressure wich is kinda a lot for something that isn't made out of steel to handle. It may work for the for a while but you dont want to be around it if it fails. Harbor freight has them pretty cheap. I got my pot and a pancake compressor for about $150 ou the door.

Good luck man

 

so $150 for a proper pot you say? that's not bad, I'll just do that & avoid the hassle. thanks!

 

Yeah just modification of an existing pressure paint pot will be your best bet, building something like that unless you weld and a very confident in your work could be very dangerous.

 

Here's a link to the pot http://www.harborfreight.com/2-1-2-half ... 66839.html

and heres a link to the compressor http://www.harborfreight.com/3-gallon-1 ... 95275.html

those are the exact ones I got. They often have sales. If your thinking of getting one I would wait till some sort of christmas sale or something

Hope this helps

 

I recently built mine from a Harbor Freight pot and this video helped me a bit:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hHIpGewFhnY

if you want more pictures or info on my pt and the parts i added shoot me a PM!
Also, do you already have a vacuum chamber for your silicone? If not your mold will get distorted in the pressure pot

 

cool thanks guys. vacuum chamber? no, it appears I've still got a bit to learn.

 

I personally find that the vacuum chambers are not completely necessary, useful for sure but I do fine without it. Now if you are using a platinum cure silicone or a silicone that cures fast (mine takes 6 hours) then a chamber would help tremendously.
I use: http://www.smooth-on.com/Silicone-Rubber-an/c2_1113_1136/index.html

 

I have read that if you pressure cure your silicon you eliminate bubbles the same way you would your resin. No bubbles, no distortion. I do both just to be sure, but I do wonder if I am altering the silicon's elasticity by curing under a high pressure.

 

I've been experimenting lately also with pressurizing the silicone as it cures in the pot, and using the pot to cast as well. So far so good but not sure about mold life. I'll let you know what happens.

 

So you aren't vacuuming your silicon at all?

 

Nope. Just mixing it, then pouring into the mold box about an arms length away. I then shake it a bit and put it into the pot and run it for an hour. So far so good. Have you seen the foil boxes Ricky and Luke are using for making molds? I need to try that sometime.

 

I recently went old school and got some Lego's. So much easier than building boxes out of foam core.

Also, the Harbor Freight pressure pot is the way to go. A few mods you need to do but it's pretty simple.

 

legos are awesome for boxes. i need a smaller base piece to fit into the pot tho. harbor freight is great for some items, just picked up a small air compressor and it rocks.

 

I have always wondered that my self that is why I had never tried it, But Im going to now. I dont own a vacuum chamber yet I hope this helps my pickel problem

 

yeah we got some fake legos mega blocks or something. it's way better that foam core IMO.

 

The pressure attempts to crush air bubbles which could just push them to the center of the silicone. The vacuum chamber actually removes all the air so bubbles disappear.
One of my recent molds got wrecked because I let too much air in at once and it created a divot in the silicone where the air hit it.

 

so just got my pressure pot.. wondering how long to leave my mold in it curing? the whole time? or just a lil while for bubbles to get out.. same goes for my resins I;m using.. how long do others leave there's in for?

also wondering if I need to buy any extra gear for my pressure pot?

 

I leave my molds in the pot for about 20 min. I have a small leak, so I let it sit in the pot till the pressure is gone. The only other thing you might need for you pressure pot is on/off valve. Other than that you should be good!

Good luck and can't wait to see what you make!

 

I leave my molds in the pot until they are completely cured according to the tin. So usually 8hrs or so or overnight. The compressor kicks in every now and then to keep the tank topped up.

With the resin I just leave in in until it is solid in the cup I poured it from.

 

cool didnt know if i should leave the molds in too long or what but I also dont want a compressor goin all night in my apt.

 

I need to get an on/off valve dunno if theres a general one or some specific kind thats recommended.. I was gonna hit harbour freight for that too.. they seem to be the most affordable

 

I Just brought the lid with me so I could get the right size.

Have fun!

 

sounds good.. thanks

 

You just need to know what size fittings you're using or get adapters. I got a kit for $20 at Lowe's that has all the fittings and adapters you'd need.