allumilite pressure pot problems

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abearpens

abearpens

Member
Joined
Jan 22, 2006
Messages
15
Location
Hurst, texas, USA.
I have just purchased a pressure pot and I cannot get the pressure to go higher than 32psi I am wanting to do some casting with allumilite which I have purchased. I am assuming that my compressor is just not strong enough to force more than 32psi. I have a shut off valve on the pot to stop the pressure so that I can turn of the compressure which I do not a tank for. I have been able to fill tires to 35 psi no problem. I bought the pressure pot from Harbor Freight. Any info would be helpfull I am working with limited equipment and I dont like the idea of buying a new compressor.Thanks in advance
 
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You need to adjust the pressure control valve. The black valve with the knob on it. Turn it counter-clock wise to open it up and allow more pressure into the tank.
 
One thing to check...if you are using the regulator, is it set high enough? Otherwise, if it is indeed your compressor then I would not worry too much about it. If you are doing simple Alumilite casting of straight resin then 32 psi will most likely be enough. To do Worthless Wood or anthing with voids to fill then higher pressure works best for me.
 
Another two sources of your 'problem' might be the gauge on the HF pot is not registering properly and or the pressure relief valve is also 'off' a bit. The gauge on my original HF pot was off by about 12 pounds so I replaced it. Now I use the pot for vacuum and the gauge is completely out of the line.

If you can get 35 psi into your tires then it surely will put 35 psi into the pot. I cannot think of anything that would stop you from reaching that same pressure with the compressor.
 
I tried to adjust the regulator counter clockwise and for some reason I cant get it to read anything now nomatter what I do. I think my regulator is not working I thought I felt air releasing from the diaphram.I will proceed with my testing with caution.
 
Get rid of the regulator all together. If you have a cutoff and a guage, you do not need a regulator. All you need to do it watch the guage and when you get the pressure you want, cut off the supply and remove the hose. You have now become your own regulator!
 
I appreciate the input I put a new in line gauge and connected it to my cut off switch and the pot held at 30psi for 30 minutes and remained around 25 psi for another 25 minutes. I made my first Alumilite blank to test out my skills.
 
OK Joseph,
This is the regulator we are talking about. It came on the Harbor Freight pressure pot. I believe I have the direction correct that you turn the knob. If I am incorrect, just turn it the other direction. You really cant hurt anything by turning this knob. It's there to adjust the air flow into the tank. You simply hook up your air supply and turn the knob in or out until you hear air entering the tank. As your gage nears the pressure you desire, begin turning the knob in until the air begins to stop entering the tank. You can turn the knob to fine tune the air pressure in the tank. Good luck and write again if you still need help.

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Thanks for the input I turned the knob every wich way and can only summize that it was faulty out of the box. The problem has been overted with some spare parts I had in a box.
 
The only reason I use it is because my compressor is in a separate room from the shop and is not convenient to access. In theory, I could have done away with it all together because I fill the tank and disconnect the air supply anyway. I monitor all my pressures and vacuums with gages. I don't trust the regulator anyway.

Glad we could help, keep us posted on your progress.
 
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